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Lasse Björn

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Lasse Björn
Björn at the 1957 World Championships
Born (1931-12-16)16 December 1931
Stockholm, Sweden
Died 15 August 2024(2024-08-15) (aged 92)
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Djurgårdens IF
National team  Sweden
Playing career 1949–1967
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Sweden
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1952 Oslo Team competition
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1958 Oslo Team
Gold medal – first place 1957 Moscow Team
Bronze medal – third place 1954 Stockholm Team
Gold medal – first place 1953 Basel and Zurich Team

Lars Gunnar Raldo "Lasse" Björn (16 December 1931 – 15 August 2024) was a Swedish ice hockey player. As a defenceman, he played 217 games for the Sweden men's national ice hockey team, and participated in nine IIHF World Championship tournaments and three Winter Olympics. He won nine Swedish ice hockey championships with Djurgårdens IF between 1950 and 1963. Djurgården has retired number 12 in his honor. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.

Early life

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Björn was born on 16 December 1931 in Stockholm, Sweden.[1] He grew up in the Traneberg district, and played football as a youth with Westermalms IF.[2] He began playing hockey with BK Cometen, then joined Djurgårdens IF at age 17 in 1949.[1]

Career

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Sweden men's national ice hockey team in 1958 (Björn standing on left end)

As a defenceman, Björn played for Djurgårdens IF between from 1949 to 1967. We won a Swedish ice hockey championship in his first season with Djurgårdens, then won an additional eight championships by his retirement.[1] He was a longtime defendse partner with Roland Stoltz.[2] As of 2024, Björn's nine Swedish championships is tied with Tord Lundström for the most by any player.[3][4]

Internationally, he played 217 games for the Sweden men's national ice hockey team.[5] He participated in nine IIHF World Championship tournaments, winning gold in 1953 and 1957 and three bronze medals. He participated in three Winter Olympics, winning one bronze medal in 1952.[6] He served as captain of the Sweden national team in 1957.[2]

Personal life

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Björn was the maternal grandfather of retired player Douglas Murray, who played defense in the National Hockey League and one season with Djurgårdens IF.[1][7]

Björn operated a haulage company, was married to Margareta, had two children, and resided on Stora Essingen in Stockholm.[2] He died on 15 August 2024, at the age of 92.[1][3]

Honors and legacy

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Björn was primarily known by the nickname "Lasse".[3][4] He was the second person elected to Djurgården's hall of fame,[1] and had his number 12 retired by the club in his honor.[8] He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.[2][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Djurgården sörjer Lasse Björns bortgång". Djurgårdens IF (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Legendaren firar 90 år". Idrottens Affärer [Sports Affairs] (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Lasse Björn är död – blev 92 år". Sveriges Television (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b Calle, Jonsson; Ros, Tomas; Abrahamsson, Hans (15 August 2024). "Lasse Björn är död – blev 92 år gammal". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ^ "200-klubben" (in Swedish). Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  6. ^ "Team Sweden players record in World Championship, Olympic Games, World Cup Cup of Hockey and Canada Cup year by year since 1920". Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Svensk NHL-doldis gjorde första målet". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  8. ^ Jörnmark, Moa (23 November 2011). "Listan på tröjorna som hänger i taket". Expressen. Stockholm, Sweden. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  9. ^ "IIHF Hall of Fame". International Ice Hockey Federation. 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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