Michelle Löwenhielm grew up in a hockey-crazy family. Her grandfather was interested in ice hockey. So is her father. When her older brother started playing, she would follow.
– When I grew up, my brother was the idol, Michelle Löwenhielm tells DN.
Most things have gone very fast for her. She started playing ice hockey in Enebybergs IF (later SDE). At the age of 15, she made her debut in the Riksserien (current SDHL) but the scoring success did not come until the following season.
In the 2011-12 season, Michelle Löwenhielm scored 38 points in 28 matches for AIK in the regular season. Something that was rewarded with a place in Damkronorna. Only 16 years old.
– It was absolutely incredible. A dream come true.
The following season was one to remember for Michelle Löwenhielm. The team reached the Swedish Championship final against top-tipped Brynäs.
Only one day after her 18th birthday, AIK secured the Swedish Championship gold.
– It was a nice gift. Nobody thought we would win. It means a lot to me even today.
– Michelle Löwenhielm during a match with Damkronorna 2020.
Photo: Mats Andersson / TT
After the successes in Sweden began to hear from college coaches from the United States. Michelle Löwenhielm was motivated and playing in North America was something she always wanted to do. In 2014, she began studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth to play college hockey.
After her studies, she wanted to compete with the very best. The American and Canadian stars of the NWHL.
It was a season in the Connecticut Whale before a player strike broke out due to low player salaries and poor conditions. Despite this, she enjoyed herself.
– I tried to play against the best in the world. Then when there was a strike, I wanted to support it.
Michelle Löwenhielm moved back to Sweden in 2019 and signed for HV71. The first season did not turn out as she had hoped. After the team broke the points record in the regular season, it went undefeated through the playoffs. It also won a final match against Luleå.
Then the league was stopped due to covid-19. The Swedish Ice Hockey Association decided on March 15 to cancel the remaining matches in the Swedish Championship play-offs. No winner would be announced.
– I still can not understand that we were not awarded a Swedish Championship gold. It was really bad for us players. It is a won gold in my opinion.
Last season, HV71 reached the semifinals, but Michelle Löwenhielm scored the best season of her career in terms of points. For that, she was praised as the player of the year.
– It feels like a receipt for all the hard work. I got a little teary-eyed.
Ahead of this season, the star has chosen to leave HV71 and move home to SDE.
– There was a lot of personal stuff behind the move. Now I’m getting closer to family. And SDE is like a family.
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