Per IIHF:
Peter Forsberg finds himself in an unfamiliar position at these Olympics. He’s pointless after two games versus lowly Germany and Belarus.
Is this really the two-time Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup champion, 2003 Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner, and producer of 171 career NHL playoff points we’re talking about?
“I always want to play better,” says the scruffy-cheeked, blue-eyed Tre Kronor warrior, surrounded by reporters regardless of his point totals. “But I’m 36, so I don’t think it’s going to get too much better. I’m not 25, and guys like the Sedins are coming in and taking over.”
Funnily enough, when you compare Forsberg’s current output with MODO Örnsköldsvik (20 points in 17 games for 1.17 PPG) in the Swedish Elitserien, it’s not all that different from what he produced in his last 11 games with MODO before entering the NHL with Quebec in 1995 at the age of 21 (14 points for 1.27 PPG).
However, the relentless physical pounding the 183-cm, 93-kg centre took with the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL of the 1990s and early 2000s has admittedly taken its toll on his ability to skate and make plays.
He’s endured repeated surgeries, including several to address a congenital defect in his right foot. No wonder he hasn’t played anything resembling a full season since his ’03 MVP campaign.
“I thought I was done a couple of times, to be honest with you,” Forsberg says. “I’ve gone through surgeries most summers. I don’t think my foot is ever going to be 100 percent. I’ve got the rest of the Olympics and the end of the Elitserien season to finish, and then we’ll see what happens.”
He’s just one of several European Hall of Famers likely making their final Olympic appearance in Vancouver, including 37-year-old Jaromir Jagr, 39-year-old Nicklas Lidström, 39-year-old Teemu Selänne, and 40-year-old Sergei Fedorov.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Forsberg says. “If I get to be on the fourth line, it doesn’t really matter. I got to be a big part of two Olympic gold medals. This time around, I don’t think I’m playing to be among the top scorers. I’m just going to do my job, and hopefully bring some experience to the team.”
To take the legendary Swedish centre at face value, you’d think he has ABBA’s “When All Is Said And Done” on auto-repeat on his iPod and spends his free time shopping for rocking chairs.
Yet keep in mind that, like most of his Swedish compatriots, he’s intensely polite and understated with the media. No Russian bravado, no cliche-ridden North American superciliousness.
“I was scared coming here after playing in the Swedish league,” Forsberg says. “It’s smaller ice here, and guys are a little bigger and better. I definitely felt it in the first couple of games. You don’t have too much time to make plays. I’m glad I’ve got two games behind me before we play the better teams.”
In Vancouver, Forsberg is playing left wing on a line with Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg, a fellow member of the IIHF’s Triple Gold Club, and newcomer Patric Hornqvist, enjoying a breakout sophomore NHL season with 23 goals and 14 assists for Nashville. They’re still finding their way, but they have the potential to be a force.
“As a line, I think we’ve been playing OK, except close to the net,” Forsberg says. “We just haven’t been putting the puck in the net.”
So what exactly is motivating “Foppa” in this tournament? His answer reflects the importance of leaving the door to the Winter Games open for every hockey player who dreams of participating.
“It’s the love of the game. I love playing hockey. Every time you get the chance to play in the Olympics, you should take it.”
If Forsberg wins gold in Vancouver, he will become the only member of the IIHF’s Triple Gold Club with three Olympic gold medals. The IIHF will hold a special induction ceremony for all 22 members on Monday evening at Molson Canadian Hockey House, next to Canada Hockey Place.
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