While Filip Forsberg is in Sweden to represent the Nashville Predators in their Global Series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he’s giving back to the youth hockey team that sparked his NHL career.
Forsberg, along with the NHL, NHL Player’s Association, and the Predators, is donating 20 full sets of ice hockey equipment (approximately $15,000 value) to Leksands IF Youth Hockey in Sweden ahead of the Predators’ game against the Penguins on Nov. 14 (1 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
A native of Ostervala, Sweden, Forsberg began playing for Leksands in 2008 for their U16 team. He moved through Leksands’ youth hockey organization until 2012, when he was drafted No. 11 overall by the Washington Capitals.
Forsberg was then acquired by Nashville through a trade with Washington in 2013. He has since become the Predators’ all-time leading goal scorer with 325 goals.
“It all started for me in Leksand,” Forsberg said in a release. “That’s where I fell in love with hockey, in the same arenas these kids skate in now.”
Forsberg will play at Avicii Arena on Nov. 14 and Nov. 16 in the NHL’s Global Series against the Penguins. He joins Predators’ defenseman Adam Wilsby and Penguins’ defenseman Erik Karlsson as the three Swedish representatives on the trip.
“To help more kids experience that same feeling, that same opportunity, means a lot,” Forsberg said. “This is what the game is about.”
Leksands IF formed as a hockey club in 1938. Though they have not had much success in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) − they last won the championship in 1975 − it one of the more popular teams in Sweden.
“In Leksand, hockey is more than hockey – it’s a way of life passed down through generations,” said Jan-Erik Modigs, Director of Youth Development for Leksands IF. “Through the NHLPA and NHL initiative, our young Leksands IF players can meet their idol Filip Forsberg and return home inspired.”
This is also a national homecoming for Forsberg, who has played in 30 games for the Swedish national team over his career. He won a gold medal at the U-20 World Junior Championships in 2012 and silver medals in 2013 and 2014.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.