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Frölunda HC
Frölunda HC
City	Gothenburg, Sweden
League	Swedish Hockey League
Founded	3 February 1938
Home arena	Scandinavium
Colors
General manager	Fredrik Sjöström
Head coach	Roger Rönnberg
Captain	Max Friberg
Website	frolundahockey.com
Franchise history
1944–1984	Västra Frölunda IF
1984–2004	Västra Frölunda HC
2004–present	Frölunda HC
Championships
Le Mat Trophy	5 (1965, 2003, 2005, 2016, 2019)
Champions Hockey League	4 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020)
	Current season

Frölunda Hockey Club, previously known as the Frölunda Indians,^[1] is a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Gothenburg. They currently play in the highest Swedish league, the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), formerly the Elitserien, where they have played for most of the club's existence. They last played in the lower division, the Allsvenskan, in 1995. Frölunda have won the national championship title five times: in 1965, 2003, 2005, 2016 and 2019.

The club was founded on 3 February 1938,^[2] as an ice hockey section in Västra Frölunda IF and became independent on 29 March 1984.^[3] Prior to the 1995/1996 season, the nickname Indians was adopted. This referring to the successful years of the 1960s, when fans started to call them the "Wild West" (Västra Frölunda is West Frölunda in English). But as they did not want a nickname like cowboys or something with firearms, Indians was selected. On 16 June 2004, the club shortened the name from Västra Frölunda Hockey Club to Frölunda Hockey Club. Frölunda's home venue is the Scandinavium arena in central Gothenburg, which has a capacity of 12,044 people. Frölundaborg is used when Scandinavium is occupied with other events. Frölunda's average home attendance has been the highest in the league for over a decade.^[4]

History

In 2003 Frölunda became the champions after a 38-year hiatus. The final game in Scandinavium on 7 April against Färjestad BK was ended by late season recruit Tomi Kallio in the third overtime period.^[5] In the 2004–05 season, the club's 60th anniversary and 20th as independent club, the team won the league title, by having the best record during the regular season, and the Swedish Championship. That particular year was notable because the National Hockey League had a labour stoppage due to negotiations between the league and the players association. Many professional hockey players who could not play in the NHL chose to play in European or North American leagues. The largest number of professional NHL players were in Sweden during the season, including Gothenburg native Daniel Alfredsson, who joined his hometown club for the season. This increased the quality of play and many observers said that Elitserien was the best league in the world during 2004–05.^[6]

Frölunda set a new Elitserien record on 6 April 2006, by winning the Elitserien playoff semi-finals against Linköpings HC 4–3 after trailing the series 1–3. The season ended with a 2–4 defeat against Färjestads BK in the finals. The second game in the finals Ronnie Sundin played his 685th game for Frölunda becoming the player with most career games for the club.

Frölunda has claimed the Champions Hockey League title on four separate occasions in 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19 and 2019–20, the most titles out of any club.

On 2 February 2022, Frölunda Hockey Club presented their new logo. According to the club, the new logo represents the city of Gothenburg, Västra Frölunda, gentleness and excitement. The logo visualizes two F's, two hands and the letter H which stands for hockey. The proposed redesign received negative feedback from fans and media due to similarities of the Nazi Party flag. The previous logo was announced in 1995 and represented the club for 27 years.^[7] On April 20, 2022, Frölunda updated their logo, which had been accepted by members of the fan club.^[8]

Season-by-season results

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by Frölunda. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Frölunda HC seasons.

Season	League	Regular season^[9]								Post season results
Season	League	Finish	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts	Post season results
2019–20	SHL	7th	52	29	21	2	154	126	85	Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21	SHL	7th	52	28	23	1	133	131	84	Won in Eighth-finals, 2–1 (Djurgården) Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Rögle)
2021–22	SHL	4th	52	31	17	4	155	139	87	Won in Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Växjö) Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Luleå)
2022–23	SHL	6th	52	21	18	13	140	139	81	Won in Quarterfinals, 4–3 (Färjestad) Lost in Semifinals, 2–4 (Växjö)
2023–24	SHL	4th	52	24	14	14	144	119	96	Won in Quarterfinals, 4–3 (Leksand) Lost in Semifinals, 3–4 (Skellefteå)

Players and personnel

Current roster


No.	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
1	Lars Johansson	G	L	37	2022	Avesta, Sweden
30	Tobias Normann	G	L	23	2024	Fredrikstad, Norway
2	Christian Folin (A)	D	R	33	2021	Kungsbacka, Sweden
3	Albin Sundin	D	R	20	2022	Kungsbacka, Sweden
6	Filip Hasa	D	L	24	2022	Uppsala, Sweden
7	Henrik Tömmernes	D	L	34	2023	Karlstad, Sweden
26	Isac Heens	D	L	25	2023	Vansbro, Sweden
33	Linus Högberg	D	L	26	2023	Stockholm, Sweden
43	Tom Nilsson	D	R	31	2022	Tyresö, Sweden
46	Dominik Egli	D	R	26	2024	Frauenfeld, Switzerland
9	Linus Weissbach	RW	L	26	2024	Gothenburg, Sweden
12	Max Friberg (C)	LW	R	32	2017	Skövde, Sweden
15	Gustav Rydahl	C	L	30	2023	Karlstad, Sweden
17	Isac Born	LW	L	20	2022	Onsala, Sweden
22	Linus Nässén	C	L	24	2018	Hönö, Sweden
25	Arttu Ruotsalainen	RW	L	27	2024	Oulu, Finland
31	Nicklas Lasu (A)	C	L	35	2019	Mölndal, Sweden
32	Noah Hasa	C	L	21	2021	Uppsala, Sweden
39	Mikael Ruohomaa	C	L	36	2024	Alastaro, Finland
44	Noah Dower Nilsson	C	L	19	2022	Strömstad, Sweden
48	Carl Klingberg	RW	R	33	2023	Gothenburg, Sweden
62	Wiktor Nilsson	RW	R	22	2024	Vendelsö, Sweden
75	David Edstrom	C	L	19	2022	Gothenburg, Sweden
86	Erik Thorell	LW	L	32	2023	Karlstad, Sweden
92	Filip Cederqvist	C	L	24	2024	Skara, Sweden

Updated July 24, 2024^[10]

Team captains

Rune Johansson, 1945–1960
Lars-Eric Lundvall, 1960–1968
Arne Carlsson, 1968–1969
Lars-Erik Sjöberg, 1969–1974
Henric Hedlund, 1974–1976
Leif Henriksson, 1976–1977
Lars-Erik Esbjörs, 1976–1979
Anders Broström, 1979–1980
Göran Nilsson, 1980–1983
Thomas Kärrbrandt, 1983–1984
Göran Nilsson, 1984–1985
Hasse Sjöö, 1985–1987
Janne Karlsson, 1987–1990
Mikael Andersson, 1990–1992
Terho Koskela, 1992–1995
Christian Ruuttu, 1995–1996
Henrik Nilsson, 1996–2000
Mikael Andersson, 2000–2003
Jonas Johnson, 2003–2008
Niklas Andersson, 2008–2009
Joel Lundqvist, 2009–2023
Max Friberg, 2023–present

Head coaches

Karl-Erik Eriksson, 1956–1960
Lars-Eric Lundvall, 1960–1963
Curly Leachman, 1963–1964
Lars-Eric Lundvall, 1964–1969
Arne Eriksson, 1969–1971
Jack Bownass, 1971–1973
Lars Erik Lundvall, 1973–1975
Arne Strömberg, 1975–1978
Leif Henriksson, 1978–1980
Berny Karlsson, 1980–1981
Len Lunde, 1981–1982
Leif Henriksson, 1982–1983
Kjell Jönsson, 1983–1984
Roland Mattsson, 1984–1985
Thommie Bergman, 1985–1987
Conny Evensson, 1987–1989
Lennart Åhlberg, 1989–1990
Lars-Erik Esbjörs, 1990–1991
Leif Boork, 1991–1994
Ulf Labraaten, 1994–1995
Lasse Falk, 1995–1997
Tommy Boustedt, 1997–2001
Conny Evensson, 2001–2004
Janne Karlsson, 2004 (interim)
Stephan Lundh, 2004–2006
Per Bäckman, 2006–2007
Roger Melin, 2007–2008
Ulf Dahlén, 2008–2010
Kent Johansson, 2010–2013
Roger Rönnberg, 2013–present

Honored members

Frölunda HC retired numbers
No.	Player	Position	Career	No. retirement
5	Christian Bäckman	D	1998–2002 2004–2005 2009–2015	January 27, 2024
13	Lars Erik Lundvall	RW	1960–1968	March 3, 2002
14	Ronald Pettersson	RW	1960–1968	March 3, 2002
14	Patrik Carnbäck	RW	1986–1992 1994–1995 1997–2003	October 4, 2014
19	Jörgen Pettersson	RW	1973–1980 1986–1991	March 3, 2002
23	Ronnie Sundin	D	1992–1997 1998–2009	October 15, 2016
24	Niklas Andersson	LW	1987–1991 2001–2011	October 21, 2017
29	Stefan Larsson	D	1983–1987 1989–2001	March 3, 2002

Frölunda retired the numbers of four players, all on March 3, 2002. The number retired were; the number 13 worn by Lars Erik Lundvall, who spent eight seasons with Frölunda, all of them serving as team captain. The number 14 worn by Ronald Pettersson, who spent seven seasons with Frölunda before suffering a career-ending injury on 14 December 1967. The duo of Lundvall and Pettersson was one of the reason behind Frölunda's success in the 60's and secured that hockey got a strong foothold in Gothenburg. The number 19 worn by Jörgen Pettersson during his two stints with Frölunda. Pettersson joined the club in 1970 and played ten seasons for the club before joining the St. Louis Blues of the NHL. After five seasons in the NHL he returned and played another three seasons for the club. The number 29 worn by Stefan Larsson during his sixteen seasons with Frölunda. With the exception of two seasons, Larsson played for Frölunda his entire professional career. Since then an additional four players have had their numbers retired; number 14 a second time for Patrik Carnbäck on October 4, 2014. Number 23 for Ronnie Sundin on October 15, 2016. Number 24 for Niklas Andersson on October 21, 2017. And number 5 for Christian Bäckman on January 27, 2024.

Five former Frölunda players have been inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation's Hall of Fame. Forward Ulf Sterner, played three seasons for Frölunda before becoming the first European-trained player to play in the NHL during his short sojourn with the New York Rangers during the 1964–65 NHL season; he was inducted in 2001.^[11] Forward Ronald "Sura Pelle" Pettersson, represented team Sweden in three olympic games and ten IIHF World Championships, totaling 252 games played for the national team; he was inducted in 2004.^[11] Ville Peltonen played the 1997–98 season for Frölunda, where he was both the team's and the league's leading scorer, he was inducted in 2016.^[12] Daniel Alfredsson played a total of four seasons for Frölunda, winning the Swedish Championships with Frölunda during the 2004–05 season. In 2006 he was a member of Sweden's gold medal-winning team at the Winter Olympics, he was inducted in 2018.^[13] Petteri Nummelin played two seasons for Frölunda between 1995 and 1997, he was inducted in 2024.^[14]

In 2003, former Frölunda players Christian Ruuttu and Jorma Salmi were inducted to the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame.^[15] Ville Peltonen was inducted in 2014. Trio of former Frölunda players who all won the Swedish Championships with Frölunda; Antti-Jussi Niemi, Fredrik Norrena, and Sami Salo were inducted in 2017.^[16] Petteri Nummelin was inducted in 2019.

Club records and leaders

Career

Most games played: Ronnie Sundin, 739 (1992–1997 and 1998–09)
Most seasons played: Joel Lundqvist, 20* (2000–2006 and 2009–2023)
Most points scored: Niklas Andersson, 540 (1987–1991 and 2001–2011)
Most goals scored: Niklas Andersson, 201 (1987–1991 and 2001–2011)
Most assists: Niklas Andersson, 339 (1987–1991 and 2001–2011)

Regular season

Most goals in a season: Magnus Kahnberg, 33 (2003–04)
Most assists in a season: Niklas Andersson, 38 (2004–05)
Most points in a season: Kristian Huselius, 67 (2000–01)
Most penalty minutes in a season: Patric Blomdahl, 116 (2008–09)
Most points in a season, defenceman: Magnus Johansson, 35 (2001–02)
Most points in a season, rookie: Patrik Carnbäck, 54 (1989–90)
Most shutouts in a season: Frederik Andersen, 8 (2011–12)
Most power play goals in a season: Jonas Johnson, 12 (2005–06)
Most short handed goals in a season: Kristian Huselius, 5 (2000–01)

Playoffs

Most goals in a playoff season: Daniel Alfredsson, 12 (2004–05)
Most goals by a defenseman in a playoff season: Ronnie Sundin, 6 (2005–06)
Most assists in a playoff season: Jonas Johnson, 11 (2005–06)
Most points in a playoff season: Artturi Lehkonen, 19 (2015–2016^[17])
Most points by a defenceman in a playoff season: Ronnie Sundin; Christian Bäckman, 9 (2002–03, 2005–06; 2004–05)
Most shutouts in a playoff season: Henrik Lundqvist, 6 (2004–05)
Most penalty minutes in a playoff season: Joel Lundqvist, 57 (2000–01)

Team

Most points in a season: 112 (2004–05)
Most wins in a season: 33 (2004–05)
Most goals in a season: 181 (2001–02)
Fewest goals against in a season: 96 (2004–05)

Scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers of Frölunda HC since the 1975–76 season. Figures are updated after each completed regular season.^[18]

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; = current Frölunda HC player

Points
Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	P/G
Niklas Andersson	LW	548	176	297	473	0.86
Joel Lundqvist	C	727	151	252	403	0.55
Jonas Johnson	C	513	156	196	352	0.68
Tomi Kallio	RW	433	168	180	348	0.80
Magnus Kahnberg	RW	587	169	168	337	0.57
Patrik Carnbäck	LW	379	133	179	312	0.82
Peter Ström	F	472	86	127	213	0.45
Ronnie Sundin	D	705	63	141	204	0.28
Ove Karlsson	C	294	103	87	190	0.64
Stefan Larsson	D	463	83	101	184	0.39

Awards and honours

Team

Le Mat Trophy
Swedish Champions

1964–65, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2015–16, 2018–19

Champions Hockey League
Winners

2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20

Individual

Guldpucken
The Golden Puck: Player of the year

Guldhjälmen
The Gold Helmet: Most valuable player as judged by the league's players

Honken Trophy
Goaltender of the year

Håkan Loob Trophy
Top goal scorer

Skyttetrofén
Top point scorer

Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy
Playoffs' most valuable player

SHL Rookie of the Year

Årets junior
Junior of the year in Swedish hockey

Champions Hockey League MVP
Most valuable player

Salming Trophy
Best Swedish-born defenceman

Henrik Tömmernes: 2016–17

Rinkens riddare
Knight of the rink: The most gentlemanly player

Swedish All star team

Stora Grabbars Märke
Big Boys' Badge: Honorary award within Swedish sports

Coach of the Year

Leader of the Year

References

^ "Facts". Frölunda HC. Archived from the original on 24 May 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2007.
^ Szemberg, Szymon. Västra Frölunda 50 År. p. 12.
^ Szemberg, Szymon. Västra Frölunda 50 År. p. 170.
^ "Official Statistics". Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.
^ Szemberg, Szymon (1994). Västra Frölunda 50 År (in Swedish). Sweden: Sportförlaget. ISBN 978-91-88540-34-8.
^ "Elitserien världens bästa hockeyliga" (PDF) (in Swedish). Pro Hockey. 27 April 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
^ "Swedish ice hockey team withdraws the redesign of a controversial logo". Newsendip. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
^ "Frolunda gets another new logo after recent redesign rejected by fans". Markerzone.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
^ Code explanation; GP—Games played, W—Wins, L—Losses, T—Tied games, GF—Goals for, GA—Goals against, Pts—Points
^ "Frölunda HC current roster". Elite Prospects. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Complete list of IIHF Hall of Fame Inductees from 1997 to 2006". International Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on 11 December 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
^ "Ville Peltonen Valittiin IIHF:N Hall of Fameen". Pallomeri (in Finnish). 22 May 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
^ "Alfredsson invald i IIHF Hall of Fame". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
^ Nynäs, Nicolina (15 January 2024). "Petteri Nummelin utsågs till IIHF:s Hall of Fame – är en av åtta nya medlemmar". Yle (in Swedish). Helsinki, Finland. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
^ "Finnish Hall of Fame – Honoured Members". Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
^ Mennander, Pasi (15 October 2017). "Kuusi uutta Jääkiekkoleijonaa aateloitiin Suomen Hockey Hall Of Fameen" [Six new Ice Hockey Lions were honored by the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame]. Leijonat.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 July 2019.
^ "Artturi Lehkonen". Elite Prospects.
^ "Frolunda HC – All Time SHL leaders". quanthockey.com. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.