Färjestad ruined the party – smashed Modo
Published 2024-02-03 18.16
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ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK. He began and ended his professional career in Modo.
Now Markus Näslund’s banner of merit hangs from the ceiling.
– I became very emotional, says the 50-year-old about the acceptance speech.
Already 40 minutes before landing between Modo and Färjestad, video greetings began to be played on the jumbotron.
First up was Modo’s current sporting director Henrik Gradin, 50, who grew up and played alongside Markus Näslund as a youngster.
– A well-deserved tribute. That you would become one of the world’s best players in the world’s best hockey league was perhaps no surprise… said Gradin.
Foppa’s greeting
After former teammates in both Modo and Vancouver had their say, it was Peter Forsberg’s turn. He called his friend “a fantastic hockey player and an equally fantastic person”.
A packed Hägglund arena then chanted “Markus – Näslund” before the red carpet was rolled out for the protagonist.
– To all players and managers in Färjestad and Modo. Thanks for your patience. I know you guys are ready to play, he began humbly and continued:
– I will never forget the feeling of playing in front of a boiling red sea. Thanks for all the great memories.
When he talked about the family, his voice choked and he was close to tears. Järvedsonen was noticeably flattered by the accolades.
– Thank you for so many great memories. Now we are old men, but we were actually decent together once upon a time, he said in the direction of former teammates Peter Forsberg and Niklas Sundström who were also present.
Emotional speech
Their names are already hanging on the ceiling and now he joins them in the form of a merit banner.
The legendary trio gathered together with Modo’s current team captain David Rundblad on the ice as it was hoisted into the air.
– It felt great to be able to close the circle one last time in some way, says Markus Näslund afterwards.
It looked emotional out there and the voice stuttered a few times?
– Maybe you reflect a little more on life now. Among other things, when I mentioned my father, it was a bit difficult. He is in a wheelchair and you remember back to the time when he was vital and active. And also when I mention Lotta (the wife) who has meant a lot to me on many levels. I became very emotional.
Number 19 will not be retired in Modo in conjunction with the ceremony. The number, on the other hand, has already been retired by the Vancouver Canucks, where Näslund played twelve seasons, including seven as team captain.
Major loss
Modo lost the match against Färjestad 0–6.
– Of course we would have wanted to make a much, much better match when it was a night like this for Markus. We are disappointed, says David Rundblad to Sportbladet.
In Färjestad, Michael Lindqvist broke a 20-game goal drought.
And he scored not just one, but two goals 46 seconds apart.
– Great to break the deadlock. It has been far too long, he says.
FBK coach Tomas Mitell is happy with Lindqvist.
– He has longed. I think there will be more, but he has worked hard to get out of that drought, says Mitell.
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full screen Photo: Jonas Forsberg / BildbyrånFAKTA
Markus Näslund’s career
Markus Näslund played four WC and one Olympics.
He scored 143 points in 152 elite league games and 869 points in 1117 NHL games. In 2003, he was voted by the NHL players themselves for the Lester B. Pearson Award as the NHL’s best player.
He worked in Modo for a total of eleven seasons in various roles as player, board member and general manager.
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