Bengt Åkerblom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bengt Åkerblom |
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Born | Stockholm, Sweden |
2 May 1967||
Died | 15 October 1995 Mora, Sweden |
(aged 28)||
Position | Centre | ||
Shot | Left | ||
Played for | Nacka HK (Swe-3) Djurgårdens IF (Elitserien) Mora IK (Swe-2) |
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Playing career | 1986–1995 |
Bengt Ture Åkerblom (born May 2, 1967 – died October 15, 1995) was a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. He played as a centre and was known for his time with teams like Djurgårdens IF and Mora IK. His career ended sadly due to an on-ice accident, which led to an important safety rule change in ice hockey.
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Who Was Bengt Åkerblom?
Bengt Åkerblom was a talented Swedish ice hockey player. He played in some of Sweden's top hockey leagues. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and started his professional career in 1986.
Åkerblom's Hockey Career
Bengt Åkerblom played for several teams during his career. He spent three seasons with Djurgårdens IF Hockey. This team plays in the Elitserien, which is one of the highest leagues in Sweden.
He also played for seven seasons with Mora IK. This team competes in the Allsvenskan league. Åkerblom was a dedicated player for both teams.
A Rule Change for Player Safety
Bengt Åkerblom's career ended in a very sad way. He was one of the few ice hockey players to have a fatal accident while playing a game. This happened during an exhibition game on October 15, 1995. His team, Mora IK, was playing against Brynäs IF. The game took place at the FM Mattsson Arena in Mora, Sweden.
How the Accident Led to New Rules
During the game, Bengt Åkerblom, who was 28 years old, was involved in a serious accident. A skate blade caused a severe injury to his neck. This tragic event highlighted the need for better safety equipment in ice hockey.
Because of this accident, a new rule was introduced in Sweden. Starting on January 1, 1996, it became mandatory for all ice hockey players to wear a neck guard. This rule helps protect players from similar injuries. It shows how one sad event can lead to important changes that make sports safer for everyone.