Markus Näslund

Markus Näslund was one of Sweden’s major NHL stars, particularly known as a goalscorerArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceArticle in SVT SportRead the sourceClose. Markus NäslundArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceArticle in Sveriges RadioRead the sourceClose grew up in Järved, where Järved was his formative hockey club. In a retrospective republished by Hockeysverige in 2023Article in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose, he said he preferred hockey to football and recalled encountering stronger competition when he was selected at regional level in football.

In the same retrospective, Näslund described the value of facing adult players in senior hockey in Örnsköldsvik when he was around 15Article in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose. Peder SjöbergArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose and Per Elfving, whom he knew from Järved, also shared that early opportunity to play senior hockey in Örnsköldsvik.

Näslund also recalled becoming close friends with Peter Forsberg when they shared a class at hockeygymnasiumA Swedish hockeygymnasium combines upper-secondary (high school) studies with scheduled ice hockey training.Article in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose, an upper-secondary programme with a hockey focus. He remembered Anders Melinder making competition central to training both at hockeygymnasiumA Swedish hockeygymnasium combines upper-secondary (high school) studies with scheduled ice hockey training.Article in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose and with the junior team. In the republished interview, Forsberg in turn described Näslund’s serious approach to training as an example for their groupArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose.

In MarchArticle in MODO HockeyRead the sourceClose 2014, MODO announced that Näslund was handing over the general manager role to Per Svartvadet. That AugustArticle in MODO HockeyRead the sourceClose, Näslund played in both Icebreakers charity games in Östersund and Örnsköldsvik.