PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Jan-Åke Edvinsson has died, aged 81.
He was secretary general of the International Ice Hockey Federation between 1986-2006.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Jan-Åke Edvinsson, a true hockey leader, and a valuable representative of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and the IIHF,” says IIHF president Luc Tardif.
1972 began Jan-Åke Edvinsson his work at the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, where he would become general secretary four years later. Edvinsson then continued his career in international ice hockey, when in 1986 he became general secretary of the international ice hockey confederation IIHF.
Became 81 years old
Jan-Åke Edvinsson has now passed away, aged 81. Something that the IIHF announced on Wednesday evening.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Jan-Åke Edvinsson, a true hockey leader, and a valuable representative of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and the IIHF. With his passing, we are losing a wonderful member of the entire ice hockey family, says the IIHF president Luc Tardif in a statement.
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Tardif continues:
He was immensely respected by always being professional, positive, motivated and taking care of the IIHF family. We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
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“Thanks for everything”
Jan-Åke Edvinsson is also praised from the Swedish side. Anders Larssonchairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association writes on Facebook.
“Today we have received the very sad news that Jan-Åke Edvinsson has passed away. After a number of years as an employee of SIF, Jan-Åke became the IIHF’s general secretary 1986-2006. A warm personality with an unusual ability to create trust and find solutions at all levels. Your experiences and words of encouragement in my ice hockey leadership have meant so much to me. Thanks for everything”
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Jan-Åke Edvinsson is inducted as number 76 in the Hockey Hall of Fame and is also appointed as an honorary member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
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