Swedish winger Dick Axelsson, a domestic star with two Elitserien titles and a World Championship Gold Medal to boot, today announced his retirement from the spot at the age of 34 following his third pro season with Djurgårdens IF.

Developing in the Huddinge junior system, Axelsson debuted for the senior squad in Division 1 in 2005-06, joining Djurgårdens IF in the Elitserien in 2007, capturing his first league title in 2009. A 2006 NHL Draft pick of Detroit, Axelsson would spend the 2009-10 season developing with their AHL team before returning to Sweden, spending three seasons with Färjestad, winning his second Elitserien championship in 2011. Axelsson would bounce around Europe following the title, spending one season with MODO, two seasons with Frölunda and three seasons with Davos of the Swiss NLA, winning that championship in 2015. Axelsson would return to Sweden in 2017, with one season back with Färjestad before spending his final three in his second Djurgårdens stint. After eleven SHL and three NLA seasons combined, Axelsson retires with 371 points in 525 career games, along with an additional 63 points in 104 playoff games.

Axelsson debuted for the Juniorkronorna squad in 2007, joining the Tre Kronor senior squad the following season on the Euro Hockey Tour. Axelsson would spend nine seasons on the Tour, not joining the national team for the World Championship until 2013, where he would be part of Sweden’s Gold Medal winning squad. Axelsson would return for the 2014 World Championship, winning Bronze, and was named to the 2018 Olympic Squad. In 83 caps for the Swedish team, Axelsson retires with 16 goals and 39 points over nine seasons.

Axelsson would win the International Hockey Lineal Championship six times in his career, the first coming at the 2011 Channel One Cup, and the final at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, with his 2013 Worlds Gold in between. We wish Dick and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: Sport Bibeln – IIHF – HHOF – IOC