Dispatch from Sweden – The Athletic
GOTHENBURG, Sweden – I was two blocks from my hotel on Tuesday afternoon when I approached a pedestrian crossing and found myself standing next to one of the greatest defenders in NHL history.
Nicklas Lidström, recently appointed vice president of hockey for the Red Wings, was in town for the same reason I was: Frölunda – the Swedish franchise that Detroit has drafted six players from over the past three years, including the sixth pick Simon Edvinsson 2021 – hosted Färjestad, and Red Wings defense prospect Albert Johansson.
Five serious future prospects. A game. And a different atmosphere than any other I have ever experienced.
Participating in a Swedish Hockey League match is electric. The closest stylistic comparison would be high-level college hockey – but even that does not do it justice. This has been scaled up to a level – worthy of the best league in the nation – with an announced presence of over 11,000.
Frölunda’s home arena, Scandinavium, has existed for 50 years. The club, which has won five league titles, has a tradition – and its fans are the loud, proud guardians of it. After warming up, before the players take the ice again, the team’s supporter groups – Goa Gubbar and Sektion 84 – sing along to a club song and wave giant flags.