Injury in January ends three-time Stanley Cup champion's playing career

Niklas Hjalmarsson, one of Sweden's most accomplished hockey players, has announced his official retirement from the sport after an injury suffered in January. Hjalmarsson left the NHL in 2021 after winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks during his career. He took a year off, and then returned to the lineup of HV71 Jonkoping of the SHL, the team he played for before being drafted into the NHL by Chicago. Unfortunately, a hit from Emil Larssons of Orebro in January cut Hjalmarsson's return short, as he was only able to play 17 games in Sweden before being forced to announce his retirement.

"It has taken a while, Hjalmarsson said of his symptoms in a video on HV71's website. "Last week was the first time I felt completely one hundred percent. I was wondering and a little scared when it went on for so long."

Hjalmarsson said while he won't play anymore, he's interested in returning the sport he loves in a different role.

"I will see if I come back to another role in the future. I love hockey, that's what I've done and that's what I can do. Some kind of coach would be exciting to try."

With his name etched on the Stanley Cup three times, Hjalmarsson is widely regarded in his home country as one of Sweden's greatest hockey players. Only Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Anders Kallur, and Stefan Persson have won the Cup more times than Hjalmarsson, each of them with four victories.

Source: AftonBladet

MUST READ

29 minutes ago  |  By Tom Banks Craig Berube Makes an Update on Auston Matthews After Mysterious Visit to Germany

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks Darnell Nurse Fires Back at Ryan Reaves After Controversial Hit: He Will Not Accept the Apology From the Leafs

3 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Minnesota Wild Star Mats Zuccarello Suffers Terrifying Injury In the Most Painful Area

4 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Top NHL Insider Kevin Weekes Stuns With Possible Destination for Sidney Crosby

6 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Jonathan Toews Comes Forward About His Spiritual Journey in India: Addresses Public for First Time in Months

7 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Beloved Canadian Basketball Player Chad Posthumus Passes Away at 33 After Traumatic Brain Injury

8 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Sportsnet Broadcaster Sam Constentino Under Fire About Comments on Zach Whitecloud's Hit on Matthew Knies

21 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney Sends a Threat to Players After the Firing of Jim Montgomery

MORE STORIES