PHOTO: Bildbyrån
A two-time Stanley Cup champion and WC gold hero was surprisingly on the ice when Tre Kronor trained for the Karjala tournament.
Patric Hörnqvist acts as a ballpark in the national team during the tournament.
– A guy who has an incredible amount of experience and who is passionate about hockey. It is very useful to get his thoughts, says national team captain Sam Hallam.
Patric Hörnqvist, age 36, ended a long and successful career this summer. Now the former star forward acts as a resource both for his latest NHL club Florida Panthers and his heart club Djurgården.
That he would be in the national team during the Karjala tournament was not official from before.
“Useful for us”
Sweden starts with a match against the Czech Republic in Växjö on Thursday evening.
– “Bengan” and I had some contact last year and I felt quite immediately that he gave a point of view from the players’ perspective that was very useful for us. Since then we have kept in touch and he is in a phase where he is about to enter a new stage in his life. He is involved in both Florida and Djurgården and acts as a sounding board for me, says Sam Hallam.
– It is very useful to get “Bengan’s” thoughts. He is on the ice and can spread tips to the players and will be with us this week.
The article continues below.
Hallam’s words
More than that has not been settled, according to Hallam.
– It really is at ballpark level. Now it works for him this week. It gives us a lot, it gives “Bengan” a chance to see what we are looking for and working with, then we will see what it develops into. We have no demands on each other.
READ MORE: William Nylander is now widely praised after the action before the game that surprises everyone: “Brave”
Patric Hörnqvist did not want to give any interviews after Tre Kronor’s training in Vida arena. He will not be in the booth during Thursday’s match against the Czech Republic, but will be in the stands.
Hörnqvist won WC gold with Tre Kronor in 2018 and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.
Sign up for our newsletter
Share