Swedish Ice Hockey Association facts for kids
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| Association name | Swedish Ice Hockey Association |
|---|---|
| IIHF Code | SWE |
| Founded | 17 November 1922 |
| IIHF membership | 23 March 1912 |
| President | Anders Larsson |
| IIHF men's ranking | 4th (2020) |
| IIHF women's ranking | 9th (2020) |
| www.swehockey.se | |
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association (called SIF for short, or Svenska Ishockeyförbundet in Swedish) is the main group for all ice hockey clubs in Sweden. It started in Stockholm on November 17, 1922, when seven different clubs came together. Before SIF, the Swedish Football Association actually managed ice hockey! Sweden joined the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in 1920. SIF also looks after inline hockey, which is like ice hockey but played on roller skates. The current general secretary of SIF is Tommy Boustedt.
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Ice Hockey Leagues in Sweden
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association helps organize all levels of ice hockey in Sweden. They run the two biggest Swedish Championship leagues. These are the men's Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL). SIF also organizes many other leagues and tournaments across the country.
Men's National Leagues
These are the top leagues for men's ice hockey teams in Sweden:
- Swedish Hockey League (SHL) - This is the highest league.
- HockeyAllsvenskan - The second highest league.
- Hockeyettan - This league used to be called Division 1.
- J20 SuperElit (also known as J20 Nationell) - For players under 20 years old.
- J18 Allsvenskan - For players under 18 years old.
- U16 SM-slutspel - This is the Swedish Championship Playoff for players under 16.
Women's National Leagues
This is the top league for women's ice hockey teams in Sweden:
- Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) - The highest league for women.
Regional Leagues
Besides the national leagues, there are also regional leagues for both men and women. These leagues help develop players and teams in different parts of Sweden.
Men's Regional Leagues
- Hockeytvåan
- HockeyTrean
- J18 Elit - For players under 18.
- J16 Elit - For players under 16.
Women's Regional Leagues
- Damettan
- DamTvåan
Ice Hockey Regions
Sweden is divided into different regions for ice hockey. This helps organize games and teams locally. Here are the main regions:
| Region Syd (South) | Region Väst (West) | Region Öst (East) | Region Norr (North) |
| Blekinge | Dalarna | Gotland | Jämtland/Härjedalen |
| Bohuslän/Dal | Gästrikland | Stockholm | Medelpad |
| Göteborg | Hälsingland | Södermanland | Norrbotten |
| Skåne | Värmland | Uppland | Västerbotten |
| Småland | Västmanland | Ångermanland | |
| Västergötland | Örebro län | ||
| Östergötland |
Sweden's National Hockey Teams
Sweden has many national ice hockey teams that represent the country in international games. These teams are made up of the best players from different age groups.
- Men's National Team - They are famously known as Tre Kronor, which means "Three Crowns".
- Women's National Team - Their nickname is Damkronorna.
- Men's National U20 - Also called Juniorkronorna or Team 20, for players under 20.
- Men's National U19 – Team 19.
- Men's National U18 - Known as Småkronorna or Team 18.
- Women's National Under-18 Team – Damlandslaget U18.
- Men's National U17 – Team 17.
- Women National U16 – Damlandslaget U16.
- Men's National U16 – Team 16.
- Men's National Inline Team - This team plays inline hockey, not ice hockey.
Leaders of the Association
Here are the people who have been the chairman (leader) of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association over the years:
- 1922–1924: Isaac Westergren
- 1924–1948: Anton Johanson
- 1948–1973: Helge Berglund
- 1973–1978: Ove Rainer
- 1978–1983: Arne Grunander
- 1983–2002: Rickard Fagerlund
- 2002–2004: Kjell Nilsson
- 2004–2017: Christer Englund
- 2017–: Anders Larsson
See also
- List of ice hockey players awarded Stora Grabbars och Tjejers Märke
