PHOTO: Bildbyrån
He had won the Stanley Cup and broken the scoring record.
Håkan Loob was at the peak of his hockey career.
Nevertheless, he chose to leave the NHL, 30 years later the icon explains why.
Everything started on Gotland in the 1960s. A young lad by name Håkan Loob made a big success with little IK Graip and then Roma IF, the reputation would then spread quickly within hockey Sweden at that time.
Loob’s big hit
Via Karlskrona, the 176 centimeter short right forward with so much talent in him reached Färjestad in the late 70s. There, the career would take off in earnest for Loob, who broke the Elitserien’s scoring record in 1982/83 with an incredible 76 points in 36 games, an unbeatable record that stands to this day.
The article continues after the picture.
Then came the big move to the world’s best hockey league, the NHL, already at the age of 23, and it had a real effect on the wallet. Håkan went from earning 5,000 kroner a month at FBK to receiving a whopping 220,000 dollars, around 2.4 million Swedish kronor, in a sign-on bonus from the Calgary Flames.
Nobbed millions
Håkan Loob quickly became a real crowd favorite in the Canadian hockey city and delivered a whopping 429 points in 450 games over six seasons in North America. The Gotlänningen broke the Swedish goal record of 50 goals in one NHL season, a record that still stands today, and he got to lift the coveted Stanley Cup trophy in 1989.
The article continues after the picture.
Loob was at the peak of his career and was only 28 years old. Nevertheless, he chose to turn his back on the NHL and leave the Calgary Flames to move back home to Sweden.
30 years later, the Swedish legend admits why he made that choice together with his family.
– Many people probably think that the decision we made is one of the stupidest in NHL history. I was playing in one of the league’s best teams and the salaries had started to creep up to completely different amounts. Now it was not about 100,000 dollars but about millions of dollars, Håkan admits in an interview with Expressen 2020.
– It was a decision we made in the family. Eldest son Henrik was going to start school and we wanted him to do it in Sweden. I could have played in the NHL five more years for the money, but neither I nor my wife Marie had any taste for nice cars or luxury.
READ MORE: Håkan Loob’s clear criticism of the SHL after the start of the season – now wants to see change: “I’m so tired of this”
“Pekka was nagging”
Loob returned to Karlstad and started playing for Färjestad again. Although there were appeals and campaigns of persuasion from other clubs.
– Well, mostly Malmö and Percy Nilsson. He called several times. If I wanted to continue earning money, I would have moved to Malmö immediately. I was offered completely different sums there than what I got in Färjestad. Pekka Lindmark also insisted that I come, but it was never an issue, he tells the evening newspaper.
There would be another seven seasons in the FBK jersey and a total of 500 points in 406 games in the Elitserien. In the trophy cabinet we find a SM gold, an Olympic gold, two WC golds and awards such as the Golden Helmet and the Golden Puck.
What do you think of Håkan Loob’s decisive decision? Share the article and have your say!
Share