A Model Athlete, An Exemplary Life

There are great players in any sport, and there those among them who are truly great in every sense of the word ...

Håkan (pr: Ho-kun) Loob is now the general manager of Färjestads BK, the Elitserien (Sweden's top hockey league) team based in his home city of Karlstad. He is as successful in that role as he was as a player. Currently, Färjestads prevailed over Göteborg's Västra Frölunda, four games to two to win the league's best-of-seven championship series.

Loob is one of Sweden's all-time most popular players, in part because he retired from the NHL at the peak of his career --- after leading the Calgary Flames to their first and only Stanley Cup championship --- so his kids could attend schools in their homeland. (The Swedish government offers an online schooling program for kids who live abroad, which is how most Swedish players in the NHL and elsewhere make education arrangements for their families.)

He has further cemented his popularity as a man of high ideals when he personally paid for the design and construction of the pristine Löfsbergs Lila Arena, which is now the home of Färjestads. It replaced a sub-standard facility and, in spite of many doubters at the outset, has proven to be an astute business move. Attendance at their games has tripled (and are all sellouts) and top-flight concerts and exhibitions now populate its events calendar.

Loob is also one of only 18 players in hockey's Triple Gold Club, which is reserved for those who have earned a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal and a World Championship. He has also had considerable input in Sweden's national program, which as you know, sent the country into mass jubilation when Tre Kronor won the gold medal in Turin this past February.

Loob is also one of the most genuine and considerate people you will ever meet. As an athlete who worked hard to refine his talent and thus enjoy a privileged existence, he has provided the ultimate example of giving back to his community, clearly making a substantial improvement to be enjoyed by all.

Loob is well and truly an ultimate role model for hockey players in particular and life in general.