PHOTO: Bildbyrån
One of the greatest Swedish players in the NHL.
But even Markus Näslund has had his role models.
– I like to score goals, so it was usually goal scorers that I looked up to, says Näslund to Sportbibeln.
Selected in the NHL’s All Star Team three times. Recipient of the Ted Lindsay Trophy, the players’ own award for the NHL’s best player, season 02/03. 869 points in 1,117 games. Markus Näslund is thus one of the biggest Swedish players belonging to the NHL.
Got starstruck
After appearing in Modo, Näslund was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played for just over two and a half seasons. Then “Macke” was traded to the Vancouver Canucks where he remained for almost twelve seasons, the last seven with a “C” on his chest. The last season in the NHL was spent in the New York Rangers, before Näslund rounded off his career at home in Modo.
The article continues after the picture.
But even an athlete as great as Markus Näslund can be starstruck by other athletes.
– Actually, I have been. I was down in Los Angeles at some event when I was a “cover athlete”, as it is called, for an EA Sports video game. They had some cooperation with, I think it was Microsoft. Then they had gathered all who were on, or not all— Tiger Woods was not involved. But many of the different sports were gathered there, and among other things Mohammed Ali was with.
– We did something just us, it was probably eight athletes or something like that, and Ali was one of them. He went around and conjured for us, it was powerful, Näslund tells Sportbibeln.
Näslund’s idol
Growing up in Örnsköldsvik, Näslund also had hockey idols, and there were no bad players he looked up to.
– I like to score goals, so it was usually goalscorers that I looked up to. The Swedes who were in the NHL during that time and whom I followed were above all Håkan Loob and Mats Näslund which I thought were fantastically talented. Then of course, you’ve always had Wayne Gretzky as an idol, because he is the best ever, and because he dominated the hockey world for so many years.
The article continues after the picture.
The disadvantage of having such big stars as role models was the availability and the time difference.
– Unfortunately, when I was growing up, you rarely got to see these players play live or on TV. After all, there were big tournaments like the Canada Cup and maybe if they were part of a WC from time to time. But it was above all the three of them, says Näslund.
READ MORE: Markus Näslund left hockey completely after the NHL years – this is what the icon’s life looks like today: “Don’t miss it”
Sign up for our newsletter
Share