Jan Erixon

Jan Erixon was known for his defensive play in the NHLArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceClose, where he was often assigned to mark the opposition’s leading forwards. Jan ErixonArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose started playing hockey as a child in Björnligan, with Skellefteå AIK as his formative club. Anders “Acka” Andersson coached his boyhood teamArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose. In Skellefteå’sArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose 2012 interview, Erixon also recalled cycling, skiing and competitive swimming alongside hockey during his youth.

Erixon did not move abroad at the first opportunity: in the 2012 interview, he recalled turning down an initial offer before later joining the New York RangersArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose. He said Anders Hedberg and Kent-Erik Andersson helped him settle into New York, both on and off the iceArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose.

In the same interview, Erixon described how his role on the ice changed from an offensive forward in Skellefteå to a defensive specialist with the RangersArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose. He said he enjoyed the responsibility of killing penaltiesArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose.

When SkellefteåArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceClose published the interview on 20 March 2012, Erixon was working as a junior coach at the club. He said he had turned down an offer to coach the senior team about 2 years earlier because his sonArticle in Skellefteå AIKRead the sourceArticle in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsRead the sourceClose Tim Erixon was in the squad.