Las vigas. He can no longer stand in front of the opponent’s area and score some goals.
But Patrick Hornqvist is still useful to the Florida Panthers in pursuit of a Stanley Cup title – as both motivation and inspiration.
“Of course, I don’t feel as involved as I did when I played myself, but I’m grateful to be around the team and feel the great atmosphere,” says the 36-year-old veteran from Sollentuna.
The last time Patrick Hornqvist played hockey was on December 3 on the calendar.
Then, in a match against Seattle, he suffered a concussion for the second time in a month – and shortly thereafter the decision was made that he was finished with the season.
– The second time was so bad, I even had some lapses in memory, Ping’an says when we meet him at the press stand at T-Mobile Arena before the first Stanley Cup Final between the Florida and Vegas Golden Knights.
“There’s not much to think about.”
continued:
– so there wasn’t much to think about. I really want to be on the ice, but of course health comes first. We’ll see how it turns out next year, we’ll decide this summer.
However, the Florida Panthers benefited greatly from their veteran Swede even during their playoff saga that ended, against all expectations, in the Final itself.
He remains with the team in training and warm-ups, helping motivate and encourage his younger teammates – and watches all the matches, home and away, along with the club management.
Swedish defender Gustav Forsling says it means a lot to us to have Bengan in the dressing room.
With his experience and ability to inspire others, he really helps. He’s won two Stanley Cups and knows what it takes now.
Lost cats
The 36-year-old Stockholmer is also enjoying himself.
Of course, I don’t feel as involved as I did when I played myself, but I’m grateful to be around the team and feel the atmosphere. It was and still is great, he says.
– If I feel bitter because I can’t join? No, certainly not bitter, but I’m jealous of boys. My legs are really shaking, I want to be there right now. This is what everyone dreams of.
The Cats lost the first round of the night, but the muse has high hopes that the saga will continue and end in a memorable victory.
– When we came back against Boston in the first round, I think the guys felt, dammit, we can do this. If you can beat the best team in the league, you can do anything, he says.
We played very well and deserved to be in the final, no doubt about that.