After 17 seasons and more than 700 matches, Christian Sandberg leaves AIK Hockey.
The club announced that the 35-year-old would not be offered a new contract.
– It’s hard to describe what you feel, says the club icon on the AIK website.
Sandberg made his A-team debut with AIK in 2005 in Division 1. This was followed by 15 consecutive seasons at the “Gnaget”, before he signed to HV71 in 2019.
Two years ago, the loyal servant returned to AIK, when he signed a two-year contract with the Stockholm club.
Sporting Director: “A difficult message”
But now it is clear that he played his last game in AIK – because the club did not offer him a new contract.
– I really want to thank Samba for all his efforts in the black and yellow suit. The decision not to extend with Christian was of course a tough message. He has been of great value to AIK over a long period, and I hope that in the future we will have the opportunity to use his experience, his competence and his heart in some way, says AIK’s sporting director Niklas Persson in a press release.
“It’s hard to put it into words.”
Christian Sandburg himself:
– It’s hard to describe and explain what you feel after so many years and everything you’ve been through with hockey in general and with AIK in particular, he says in the press release.
In all, Christian “Samba” Sandberg played in over 700 games during his 17 seasons in the black and yellow suit. He was also the team captain for six consecutive seasons. Last season, he played 37 regular season matches and eight playoff matches for AIK.
The 35-year-old center is now without a club.
