PHOTO: Bildbyrån + Instagram
Luleå Hockey’s bear gap has become iconic in Hockey Sweden.
Now the supporter Victor Larsson has built his own version.
– Just got an idea last winter, he tells P4 Norrbotten.
In the 90s, Swedish hockey became increasingly influenced by the NHL and the USA. Teams changed names and added additional names in English. New symbols and logos appeared, as well as new traditions at the entrance of the players onto the ice.
Luleå’s bear gap
The year was 1994 when Luleå Hockey introduced that its players ride through a large bear gap, inspired by the San Jose Sharks’ shark gap. Björngapet spews fire through its nose and is surrounded by smoke from a smoke machine. The club acquired the bear gap in the same year that they changed the club logo from “The Iron Man” to “The Bear”. In 2018, Luleå changed back to Superman, but the bear gap at Coop Norrbotten Arena remains.
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Several Swedish clubs were inspired and followed suit with their own version. Björngapet, which was originally planned to be a wolf gap, has become iconic and a symbol of Luleå Hockey. Many young hockey players in Norrbotten dream of one day going through that bear gap onto the ice in front of the crowd.
The supporter’s copy
One of the dreams was the Luleå supporter Victor Larsson, who now that he’s grown up decided to build his own bear gap instead. On the plot of land, the Boden resident built an ice rink, and built his very own bear to ride through.
– When I was little, I loved the intro and the bear gap. Noah, my kid, has also talked a little bit about the bear gap, so then I just got an idea there last winter. Linus, my bonus child, appreciates it too, and his cousins and all. So there are many here and going now, Victor Larsson tells P4 Norrbotten.
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But Victor Larsson has even bigger plans for his flashy outdoor rink in the garden.
– A jumbotron to hang somewhere up here, and next year I’m thinking of lighting up the entire ice somewhere on the left as well. So there are many plans, he says to the radio channel’s website.
READ MORE: Henrik Lundqvist’s strong reaction – after the giant rage in the live broadcast that the entire NHL is talking about: “I’m at a loss for words”
Highly praised
Victor Larsson’s fantastic construction is now being celebrated on social media.
“Wow, how cool,” writes one person.
“But god so nice,” writes another.
“Magic” and “fantastic”, the building is described as in the comments.
“What a father,” says one person.
READ MORE: Markus Näslund reveals his biggest hockey idol – chooses two Swedes before Wayne Gretzky: “Best ever”
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