ICEHL interview: This is how Red Bull Salzburg legend Greger Artursson is doing: – Hockey-News.info
The Red Bulls started their first Bundesliga season in autumn 2004, heralding in a new era. If you inevitably think of EC Red Bull Salzburg today when you talk about ice hockey in Austria or in the win2day ICE Hockey League, the Red Bulls first had to develop this reputation back then. One of the main contributors to the team’s rapid progression from bottom of the table after season one to their first two league titles in 2007 and 2008 was Greger Artursson.
The Swedish defender came to Salzburg from the traditional Swedish top club Färjestads BK and did important development work. In the luggage the experience of three Swedish championship titles and a lot of ice hockey tools from which many young players could learn something.
What was striking was his clean technique, the calm manner and the overview with which he moved on the ice even in tricky situations. Quite a few spoke of the “Sir of Ice Hockey” after a short time, which the then 32-year-old fully justified when he started working in Salzburg, including in his private life.
All in all, Greger played for the Red Bulls for four years and when he left the club in 2008, after just four years in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, he was already able to display two championship trophies. The defender then capped off his career with two more seasons in Sweden’s second division, HockeyAllsvenskan, at Mora IK and even wore the ‘C’ on his chest in his senior year.
On February 6 of this year, the father of two turned 50 and still has his fingers in the game of ice hockey.
Greger, nice to have you on the phone. Where are you living right now and how are you and your family?
We live in Hammaro, outside Karlstad. The house we live in is similar to when I played in Salzburg. We feel good and enjoy life. My wife has her own company as a business services provider and our ‘little’ children are now 21 and 19 years old. Daughter Olivia works as a cross-fit trainer in Karlovy Vary and our son Alexander plays for the U20 team from Färjestad. He had the great honor of making his SHL debut around the time of the Olympics last season.
What is your profession? Do you still have anything to do with ice hockey?
I work as a manager for two padel tennis centers in Karlstad. One has 13 fields (9 doubles, 4 singles) and the second has eight doubles fields. The only hockey contact I have is as a hockey fan and supporting my son Alexander on his way to becoming a professional. He does well and works hard! Taller than me, right-handed shooter, striker… not like his father at all 😊. Of course. But I also follow some games and keep in touch with friends who are always active.
The Red Bulls became champions again last season after six years. Did you follow that?
Yes, I keep following a few games. Last season you were extremely strong, especially at the end of the season.
That brings us to the league titles you celebrated with the Red Bulls. 2007 and 2008. How did you experience that back then?
Those moments are just strong and great memories. Tough games, great atmosphere and really cool celebrations in town after the two title wins. Definitive memories for the rest of your life! We had really good players in the team back then, but it was never easy to win a final. In the second year of the championship, I suffered an injury when I fractured my face during an away game in Villach… the first title was a bit nicer for me personally too! 😊
When you came to Salzburg in 2004, the team had only just been promoted to the first division and were struggling with the higher level. How difficult was that for you, you were used to top ice hockey from Sweden.
I’ve enjoyed each season on its own. The adventure was also completely new for me, but we had a great life in Salzburg and great support from the club from day one. Romina (Romy) from the office helped us a lot in the first year, but Afra, René, Guido and everyone else were also there for us. Since it worked so smoothly for us off the ice, I had no trouble concentrating on the sport. The game itself was obviously different, but I really enjoyed it. The Swedish league can get boring from time to time and the game in Austria suited me personally very well. I really had a great time in Salzburg and I really miss it!
Do you still go back to Salzburg sometimes? After all, the Red Bulls were the only club outside of Sweden that you played for.
Salzburg was the only team I played for outside of Sweden. Lucky for me that Salzburg wanted me from day one. We always loved visiting Salzburg when we were back in Sweden and I heard playing. Since we like to travel by car, we always stop in Salzburg on our routes. Before Corona we stopped for a few days on our way to Croatia, just like when we visited Lake Garda. Salzburg is our second home and it always feels that way when we are here. We are very grateful for that and one reason for this is the people who met us here and treated us so well. A beautiful city with great people!
Could you actually imagine working as a coach at the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy?
clear! We always said that after some time at home we would come back to Salzburg when the kids are old enough and can take care of themselves. I’m always in contact with the club and you never know what the future will bring. If the club feels that I would help as a person and with my experience then I hope or think they will get in touch with me. I’m open to new adventures.
Thank you Greger and all the best to you and your family.
www.redbulls.com, photo: GEPA pictures/ Felix Roittner
