Team captain for Rögle.
Now Mattias Sjögren thanks himself.
– I am proud of the career I have had, he says.
Rögle couldn’t make it all the way to the SM final and after the dramatic series against Färjestad, Mattias Sjögren was perhaps the most down of all. He was signed to Rögle four years ago as a potential star, but the last few seasons have been disappointing.
Now ending his career
During the previous season, most of the games were in the fourth chain for the forward, who was given more and more defensive responsibility, something he was open about was not optimal. Right after the SM exit, Sjögren said that he was unsure about the future, and now the news has come.
After four seasons in Rögle, where three have been as team captain, he ends his career.
– Of course they wanted that SM gold. But with hindsight, I came home four years ago and have played two playoffs, one final, one semifinal and won a CHL title. I would say that is very good if you go back four years when I signed the contract. Then you are a winner and always want to win and it will perhaps sting for a while that you didn’t get that SM gold when we had the chance. But I try to see the positive and the joy in what you got to experience, he says to the club’s website.
“I’m proud”
Sjögren played a total of 483 games for the Ängelholms team, but earlier in his career also represented Färjestad, Linköping and had time to play in the KHL, AHL and in Switzerland.
– It hasn’t been so sad so far. I try to see the positives that I have been part of, look at the career that I have had and at the level that I have been able to play at. I have been able to try out in different leagues, have been able to play in the national team and play big matches. That’s how I want to sum it up. I don’t think about what could come if I continue, but am proud of the career I’ve had and been able to experience, says Sjögren.
He does not know what he will do now, but it is not impossible that there will be a continuation in hockey in some way in the future.
– You should never close the door to anything. But right now I’m not going into hockey. I think I want to do something completely different and get a new challenge. I have been playing hockey at this level for 17 years and I think I will need some time and land a little this fall. I feel ready to tackle new challenges. It feels good. At the same time, it should be fun to follow the team as a supporter and perhaps not be as emotionally involved as when playing. Hopefully I can enjoy the games and hockey in a different way.
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