Sweden has a rich history in ice hockey, producing numerous talented players who have made significant contributions to both international and professional leagues. The Swedish men's national ice hockey team, known as Tre Kronor (Three Crowns), is governed by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. The team's nickname refers to the emblem on the team jersey, which is found in the lesser national coat of arms of the Kingdom of Sweden. The team has won numerous medals at both the World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
In 2006, they became the first team to win both tournaments in the same calendar year, by winning the 2006 Winter Olympics in a thrilling final against Finland by 3-2, and the 2006 World Championships by beating Czech Republic in the final, 4-0. In 2013 the team was the first team to win the World Championships at home since the Soviet Union in 1986.
The Tre Kronor logo, symbolizing the Swedish national ice hockey team.
Famous Swedish Hockey Players
This page contains a list of the greatest Swedish Hockey Players. The pantheon dataset contains 676 Hockey Players, 90 of which were born in Sweden. This makes Sweden the birth place of the 4th most number of Hockey Players behind Russia, and United States.
Here's a look at some of the most celebrated Swedish hockey players, recognized for their skill, impact, and contributions to the sport:
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Top 10 Legendary Swedish Hockey Players
The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Swedish Hockey Players of all time. This list of famous Swedish Hockey Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity.
- Peter Forsberg (b. 1973)
With an HPI of 55.16, Peter Forsberg is the most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 30 different languages on wikipedia. Peter Mattias Forsberg (pronounced [ˈpěːtɛr ˈfɔ̂ʂːbærj] ; born 20 July 1973) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player and former assistant general manager of Modo Hockey. Nicknamed "Peter the Great" and "Foppa", Forsberg was known for his on-ice vision and physical play, and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Although his career was shortened by persistent injuries, as of 2024, he stands eighth all-time in career points-per-game and fifth all-time in career assists-per-game in the NHL, behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, and Connor McDavid. His 19-year professional career includes 13 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), where he won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche, as well as several individual honors including the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2003.
Representing Sweden in international play, Forsberg competed in four Winter Olympics, two World Cups and five World Championships, as well as one European Junior Championship and two World Junior Championships, where he holds a scoring record of 31 points in seven games that some say may never be broken. He won four gold medals with Sweden in his career, winning titles at the 1992 and 1998 World Championships and the 1994 and 2006 Winter Olympics. Combined with his two Stanley Cup championships in NHL play, he is a member of the Triple Gold Club and the only Swede who has won each of the three competitions twice.
In 2013, he was inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame, and in 2014, he was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Read also: Triumphs in Swedish Hockey
- Mats Näslund (b. 1959)
With an HPI of 53.27, Mats Näslund is the 2nd most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 19 different languages. Mats Torsten Näslund (born 31 October 1959), nicknamed "Le Petit Viking", is a Swedish former ice hockey player. He played as a left winger.
Despite his small size at only five feet and seven inches, Näslund is best known for being one of the top forwards with the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens from 1982 to 1990. In addition to the Canadiens, Näslund played for Timrå IK, Brynäs IF, and Malmö IF of the Swedish Elite League, and HC Lugano of the National League A between 1975 and 1994.
In 1986, he won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, and he won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1988. He is a three-time Le Mat Trophy champion, once with Brynäs in 1980, and leading Malmö to its only championship wins in 1992 and 1994. Internationally, he won gold medals at the 1991 World Championship in Finland and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, making him a member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club.
- Håkan Loob (b. 1960)
With an HPI of 52.94, Håkan Loob is the 3rd most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 20 different languages. Håkan Per Loob (born 3 July 1960) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player for Färjestad BK of the Elitserien and the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the head of European Scouting for the Calgary Flames after resigning as president of Hockey Operations for Färjestad.
Considered one of the greatest Swedish hockey players of all time, he was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Swedish ice hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. Loob joined Färjestad in 1979 and was a member of the team that won the Swedish championship in 1981. He won the Guldpucken as Swedish player of the year in 1982-83 after setting single-season records of 42 goals and 76 points, which remain SHL records.
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He moved to North America following that season to join the Flames, who had selected him with a ninth-round pick at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Loob was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1983-84 and in 1987-88 was named a first team All-Star after becoming the first Swedish player to score 50 goals in one NHL season. Rejoining Färjestad in 1989, Loob won consecutive Guldhjälmen awards in 1991 and 1992 as the Elitserien's most valuable player as selected by his fellow players. He retired in 1996 to become the club's general manager.
Internationally, Loob represented the Swedish national team on several occasions. He was one of the first three members of the Triple Gold Club, (with Sweden teammates Tomas Jonsson, and Mats Näslund) signifying that he has won the Stanley Cup, (in 1989) the World Championship (in 1987 and 1991) and an Olympic gold medal (1994).
- Ronald Pettersson (1935 - 2010)
With an HPI of 52.58, Ronald Pettersson is the 4th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 16 different languages. Erik Ronald Pettersson (16 April 1935 - 6 March 2010) was a Swedish ice hockey player. He played 252 international games for Sweden between 1955 and 1967, including thirteen World Championships and three Olympic Games.
Between 1951 and 1967 Pettersson played for Surahammars IF, Södertälje SK and Västra Frölunda IF. He won the Swedish championship twice, in 1956 with Södertälje and in 1965 with Västra Frölunda. After suffering a career-ending injury in 1967, Pettersson took on the role as head coach for the Swedish national junior team from 1968 to 1974, the Swedish national senior team from 1974 to 1976, and the Norwegian national men's team from 1978 to 1981.
He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2004, and his jersey #14 was retired by Västra Frölunda in 2002.
- Nicklas Lidström (b. 1970)
With an HPI of 52.18, Nicklas Lidström is the 5th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 23 different languages. Erik Nicklas Lidström (pronounced [ˈnɪ̌kːlas ˈlîːdstrœm]; born 28 April 1970) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenceman and current vice president of hockey operations for the Detroit Red Wings.
He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Detroit Red Wings from 1991 to 2012, where he played in six Stanley Cup Finals, winning four championships, and captained the team for the final six seasons of his career. Over his 20 NHL seasons, Lidström won four Stanley Cup championships, seven James Norris Memorial Trophies (awarded to the NHL's top defenceman), one Conn Smythe Trophy (the first European to win the trophy) as the playoffs most valuable player, and was voted into 12 NHL All-Star Games.
Lidström was the first European-born-and-trained captain of a Stanley Cup-winning team. Lidström was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2014. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on 9 November 2015. In 2017, Lidström was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.
- Mats Sundin (b. 1971)
With an HPI of 52.10, Mats Sundin is the 6th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 28 different languages. Mats Johan Sundin (Swedish: [ˈmatːs sɵnˈdiːn]; born 13 February 1971) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL), retiring in 2009.
Originally drafted first overall in 1989, Sundin played his first four seasons in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques. He was then traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, where he played the majority of his career, serving 11 seasons as team captain. At the end of the 2007-08 season, Sundin was the longest-serving non-North American-born captain in NHL history. Sundin last played for the Vancouver Canucks in the 2008-09 season before announcing his retirement on 30 September 2009.
Known for his great size, strength, and skill, Sundin has been remarkably consistent throughout his career. He recorded at least 70 points in every full season of his career-excluding his rookie year, the shortened 1994-95 lockout season, and his half-season with Vancouver. He also played at least 70 games in every full season and has led the Maple Leafs in scoring in every season he played with the team, except for the 2002-03 NHL season.
On 14 October 2006, Sundin became the first Swedish player to score 500 goals. He is the Maple Leafs' franchise all-time leader in goals (420) and points (987). Sundin was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on 26 June 2012, in his first year of eligibility. He became the second Swede, following Börje Salming (another long-time Maple Leafs player), to be chosen to the Hall of Fame. Sundin was also inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2017 Sundin was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.
- Lars-Eric Lundvall (1934 - 2020)
With an HPI of 51.84, Lars-Eric Lundvall is the 7th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 15 different languages. Lars-Eric Lundvall (3 April 1934 - 8 April 2020) was a Swedish professional ice hockey player and coach.
Between 1956 and 1965 he played 195 international matches and scored 79 goals. Domestically Lundvall won two Swedish titles: with Södertälje SK in 1956 and with Västra Frölunda IF in 1965. After retiring from competitions in 1968, Lundvall stayed as a coach with his last club Västra Frölunda IF. He also ran a gas station with his long-term teammate Ronald Pettersson. He died in 2020, aged 86.
- Tomas Jonsson (b. 1960)
With an HPI of 51.72, Tomas Jonsson is the 8th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 19 different languages. Alf Tomas Jonsson (born 12 April 1960) is a former ice hockey player from Sweden. Jonsson was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft in the 2nd round, the 25th overall pick.
During the 1980 World Junior Championships he and Reijo Ruotsalainen were the media's selections as the best defencemen of the tournament. Jonsson made his debut for the Islanders in the 1981-82 season, winning a Stanley Cup championship with the team in his first season. Jonsson played with the Islanders until 1989, when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He played with the Oilers only for the remainder of the 1988-89 season. After that he moved back to Sweden, playing with Leksands IF until 1998.
In 1994 Jonsson won an Olympic gold medal. That made him one of the first three members of the Triple Gold Club, players who have won a Stanley Cup, a World Championship and an Olympic gold medal.
- Bengt-Åke Gustafsson (b. 1958)
With an HPI of 51.65, Bengt-Åke Gustafsson is the 9th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 17 different languages. Bengt-Åke Gustafsson (born 23 March 1958) is a Swedish professional ice hockey coach and former ice hockey player.
During his North American career, including two games in the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Edmonton Oilers, and then nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Washington Capitals. In 2003, Gustafsson was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame as a player.
- Nils Nilsson (1936 - 2017)
With an HPI of 51.33, Nils Nilsson is the 10th most famous Swedish Hockey Player. His biography has been translated into 16 different languages. Nils Erik "Dubbel-Nisse" Nilsson (8 March 1936 - 24 June 2017) was a Swedish ice hockey forward and footballer.
Between 1954 and 1967 he played 205 international matches and scored 131 goals, which is the second-best scoring result, behind that of Sven Tumba. He won the world title in 1957 and 1962, finishing second in 1963 and 1967 and third in 1958 and 1965. He competed at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Winter Olympics, and finished in fourth, fifth and second place, respectively. He was the best forward of the 1960 tournament and was selected to the all-star team at the 1962 World Championships.
Nilsson won only one national title, in his last season (1969). Nilsson also played football with Djurgårdens IF, IK Göta and Karlstad BK, and won the national title with Djurgården in 1959. After retiring from competitions he worked as a product developer with Jofa, a Swedish manufacturer of sporting equipment.
Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
The Swedish ice hockey champions (Swedish: Svenska mästare i ishockey) is a title awarded annually to the winning playoff team of the top-tier ice hockey league in Sweden, which currently is Swedish Hockey League (SHL). It was first awarded to IK Göta in 1922, the championship's inaugural year. The championship's present SHL format did not take into effect until the league was originally formed for the 1975-76 season under the name of Elitserien. A team who wins the Swedish Championship is awarded the Le Mat Trophy.
Djurgårdens IF holds the most titles in history with 16 titles. Before 1953, the Swedish champions were determined through a standalone tournament, the Swedish Ice Hockey Championship, where teams could submit their participation. In other words, the leagues were not connected with the Swedish Championship during this period.
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) |
| Association | Swedish Ice Hockey Association |
| General Manager | Josef Boumedienne, Anders Lundberg |
| Head Coach | Sam Hallam |
| Captain | Rasmus Andersson |
| Most Games Played | Jörgen Jönsson (285) |
| Most Points Scored | Sven Tumba (186) |
| Home Stadium | Avicii Arena, Stockholm |
| Current IIHF Ranking | 4 (26 May 2025) |
| Highest IIHF Ranking | 1 (2006-07, 2013-14) |
| Lowest IIHF Ranking | 7 (2021, 2024) |
| First International Game | Sweden 8-0 Belgium (23 April 1920) |
| Biggest Win | Sweden 24-1 Belgium (16 February 1947) Sweden 23-0 Italy (1928) |