TAMMERFORS. Linus Ullmark is one of the biggest NHL stars to join Tre Kronor in Finland.
For the Boston Bruins’ goalkeeper, he’s been a long and meticulous mourner since his father passed away last year.
“I think he would have been proud to see me here at Tre Kronor in the restroom,” says the 28-year-old.
Linus Olmark He replaced the legendary Tuukka Rask as the first intended goalkeeper and highest ranked goalkeeper in Boston Bruins.
Last season at the Buffalo Sabers, his father passed away at the age of 63 while the team was preparing to warm up.
He previously told how he got the message when he was preparing for a game in Philadelphia.
I had the worst warm-up match in my entire life. I saw my mother had called when I was on the ice. I felt that something was wrong. You can never really prepare for such messages, says Linus Olmark.
I have to say goodbye
My father was ill and a few days before he was admitted to the hospital.
– He wasn’t healthy enough to talk or hold the phone, but my mother would put the phone to his ear so I could say goodbye and say whatever I wanted to say. We understood that he probably wouldn’t end happily. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to say goodbye, says Linus Olmark, and I know there are people who have not had the opportunity to do so.
His father was saddened that he had taken time to process it over the past year and had been open but the process to the media in the meantime.
If I don’t talk to people and make them understand how I feel, that would probably be my downfall. Some days were complete misery, but if I didn’t have the courage to tell about it, we’d never be able to handle it. Since it was difficult, there were a lot of feelings and thoughts that I had to work with. Linus Olmark says, I have tried to be happy when I am happy and sad when I am sad.
Want to be supportive of others
On site in the World Cup in Finland with three crowns He loves to talk about what he’s been through.
– His memory is with me. It was a difficult period when it happened, I had to work a lot with myself with my feelings and thoughts. I’ve come a long way in getting to know myself on a whole different level with my family and friends. I try to be very open to others going through the same thing and to be there as a support. Once you get it done on your own, you’ll know what can happen and be difficult. For me, it was about talking as much as possible and being open about how I feel, lifting the lid and not closing anything, says Linus Olmark.
His father was his biggest supporter, he cared about all the players in the team and was constantly updated.
– I think he would have been proud to see me here at Tre Kronor in WC. I also know he was very proud to have come all the way to the NHL. I think he would have been very happy to see me here today. For me, it’s still important to look forward and not think too much backward, says Linus Olmark.
In the World Cup, three goalkeepers participated in the matches, Magnus Heilberg has four matches, Linus Olmark has two matches and Marcus Hojberg one match.
After losing overtime to the United States, Linus Olmark scored a 0-0 win over Latvia in the last group game.
Now Canada awaits in the World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday and there is much to suggest that it was Linus Olmark who earned the confidence at the box office.