The hockey connection between Sweden and Toronto is about to add another layer.
Färjestad BK, one of the most decorated clubs in the history of the Swedish game, is visiting North America for a pair of contests in February. The first event features Färjestad facing the best players in the American Hockey League as part of the AHL Classic in St. John’s, N.L. on Feb. 12. Two days later, Färjestad will travel to the city where Borje Salming and Mats Sudin starred as they take on the Toronto Marlies in an exhibition game Feb. 14.
“To come and play the Marlies in Toronto will be great,” said Håkan Loob, Färjestad’s CEO and a Stanley Cup winner with the Calgary Flames in 1989.
“Toronto has been the ‘hockey town’ of the world for most Swedes since Börje Salming’s days in the early ’70s.”
Before the establishment of the KHL in Russia, the Swedish Elite League was widely recognized as the best circuit in Europe and Färjestad is one of its most successful outfits. The Karlstad-based club has nine championships overall, and has hung four banners since 2002. Now it breaks ground as the first Swedish club to compete in North America.
The synergy with Toronto goes beyond a couple of Hall of Fame Swedes suiting up for the Leafs. Rickard Wallin, who played centre for the Buds in 2009-10, currently skates for Färjestad, as do a number of players who had a cup of coffee in the NHL, including Danny Taylor, Shawn Belle and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.
