From losing to Gothenburg Ice Skating Club to becoming Swedish Champions...
2021/2022
A historic season in many ways. Frölunda HC had planned to start a ladies team in 2023, but announced in October 2021 that the team will be in place earlier than that, one whole year to be exact. Former international goalie Kim Martin-Hasson was named general manager for the pioneer team and Erika Holst – another Swedish ladies legend – was appointed headcoach. Hanna Olsson, Swedish international, was first player in followed by a world class trio: Michelle Karvinen, Andrea Dalen and Stephanie Neatby.
The change of logotype actually took place the 20 of April, but not without controversy. The first version did not please the members at all and the process went on with the clubs members in control. From the members the club was assigned the task to present three variations of logotypes at a members meeting. At the meeting the members by vote decided on the new logotype for the club.
On the ice Frölunda finished fourth in the SHL and lost in the semifinal to Luleå. In the CHL Rögle won a tight semifinal.
2020/2021
A very strange season that was governed by covid. No audience in the arena at all, from start to finish, and harsh medical restrictions for the games themselves. Frölunda was a SHL top team first half, but went downwards after new year and finished 7 in the table. The team went through to the quarterfinal, but was eliminated by Rögle who won four straight games. The CHL was canceled – no games played.
Lucas Raymond was drafted by Detroit Red Wings in the first round.
Frölunda HC communicated in September 2020 that the club will present a new logotype in the summer of 2021. In march 2021 Frölundas board announced that the change of logotype will be postponed, to the spring of 2022.
2019/2020
A quite spectacular SHL season, of the wrong reasons, that was canceled before it was over due to covid. The league was shut down after the regular season - no play offs, no champions, no promotions, no relegations.
The only trophy handed out was the CHL and Frölunda lifted it for the fourth time after a rough ride. In the round of 16 Frölunda lost the first game against Färjestad, 3-6, and was predicted out of the tournament. 8-2 in Frölundaborg a week later was a massive statement and probably the best performance of the season. Frölunda turned around both the quarter- and semi-final late against Biel-Bienne and Luleå and quite comfortable defeated Mountfield in the final, 3-1.
The 23 of January captain Joel Lundqvist played game 1 000 in the Frölunda jersey and a packed Scandinavium (12 044) saluted him accordingly.
2018/2019
Frölunda won the double again after a tremendous finish.
The team struggled for a majority part of the season in both SHL and CHL, but the 5 of February 2019 became the turning point.
Frölunda won another CHL-title against Red Bull Münich in a packed Scandinavium (12 044) and never looked back after that.
Three months later Frölunda celebrated the national championships at Götaplatsen in Göteborg.
In total Frölunda has won five national titles (1965, 2003, 2005, 2016, 2019) and lifted three CHL-cups (2016, 2017, 2019).
2017/2018
Another great regular season, third, but a bit of a backlash in the playoffs - eliminated in the first play off round.
And for the first time not in the CHL-final - eliminated in the first play off round.
Rasmus Dahlin played his second junior world championship, represented Sweden in the Southkorea olympics, and was drafted as number one by Buffalo Sabres in Dallas.
Sean Bergenheim ended his career during regular season due to complex of problems caused by concussions.
2016/2017
Another CHL-titel and a sensational breakthrough for Rasmus Dahlin (born 2000).In the third straight CHL-final Frölunda lifted the cup on homesoil, Frölundaborg, after a dazzling final against Sparta Prag, Czechia.
For the fourth straight year the team finished top three in the ragular season and reached the semifinals in the play offs after another turn around series. Skellefteå led the quarterfinal with 3-1, but was eliminated in overtime in the seventh game.
16 years old Rasmus Dahlin played junior world championships for Sweden and later debuted for Tre Kronor.
2015/2016
With a well balanced and strenghted team glory times would come.Frölunda and Skellefteå dominated the regular season and eventually met in the final. Second placed Frölunda eliminated Djurgården in the first play off round, 4-1, Continued with the same spirit and defeated Luleå with 4-1 in the semifinal series. The final against Skellefteå was tough and tight, but Frölunda won it over six games and 40 000 people celebrated the champions at Götaplatsen in central Göteborg.
A couple of months earlier the team won the CHL-title in Uleåaborg, Finland, after at 2-1 win against Kärpät.
2014/2015
A promising season, but also a bitter one that bulit up for future glory.Second place after regular season again and improvent in the playoffs, though it looked gloomy in the first round. Luleå lead the series, 3-1, but Frölunda turned it around and advanced to the semifinals.A injured team took the semi serie to six games, but Växjö advanced to the final and eventually won the championship.
In the CHL Frölunda bitterly lost the final to Luleå, despite a two goal lead in the second period.
2013/2014
A new era under a new coach - world junior hockey goldcoach Roger Rönnberg.Whit a different approach and a team built of different bricks: Experienced players like Joel Lundqvist combined with young players from Frölundas esteemed Academy.The result was sensational. The team played a offensive, speedy and puck-controlling game and finished second in the regular season.Eliminated in the quarterfinal by Linköping after a tough seven game series.
2012/2013
NHL-lockout and a lot of talk about players in and out. Matt Duchene and Viktor Stålberg joined Frölunda, but it did not affect a struggling team. Regular season sixth and eliminated in the first play off round.Coach Kent Johansson submitted after three seasons in the club.
2011/2012
An improved team delivered a pretty good season and finished fifth after the regular season. The to-be-champions Brynäs was a to tough opponent in the quarterfinal, but it was a close and thrilling series.Frölunda played a friendly game against New York Rangers during the season and a clearly moved Henrik Lundqvist was homaged by his former home crowd.
2010/2011
The team struggled the whole season, ninth, and did not reach the playoffs under new coach Kent Johansson.
Niklas Andersson decided to end his long career and Tomi Kallio moved to Växjö.
2009/2010
A disappointing season characterized by injuries on key players. Seventh after the regular season and eliminated in the first play off round.Winter Classic at Ullevi was the highlight of the season. 31 144 spectators saw Frölunda beat rival Färjestad, 4-1, in a epic outdoor game.
2008/2009
A new coach, former NHL-player Ulf Dahlén, delivered a competetive team with ambitions. The tema was ranked third after the regular season and advanced to semifinals in the playoffs .Ronne Sundins ended his career after 891 games in 16 seasons.
2007/2008
Finished sixth in the standing in regular season, lost to Färjestad in the quarter-finals by 4-3.
2006/2007
The start of the season was miserable, but once the season progressed the team improved the game. In the end the team finished ninth.
2005/2006
Frölunda was not only the most dangerous team offensively with 169 goals on 50 games, but also the strongest team on home ice. All together, Frölunda finished second in Elitserien (regular season).
In the quarterfinals Brynäs was defeated by 4-0 games, and in the semifinals Frölunda turned around from a 1-3 deficit in games to win against Linköping.
After several years of losing in the championship finals Färjestad finally won the championship versus Frölunda. Most notably during the season was another attendance record – 386 000 people visited Frölunda Indians’ home games.
2004/2005
Frölunda won the regular season, 15 points ahead of the runner-up-Färjestad. This season a record 11 676 people/game (regular season) attended Frölunda´s games in Scandinavium. In the first round Luleå awaited, and Frölunda won 4-0 in games. A total of 23-5 in goals. During the semi-finals three games was played in Frölundaborg. Frölunda won 4-1 versus Djurgården. Frölunda won the championship by defeating Färjestad. Niklas Andersson made sure the gold-medal would return to Gothenburg by scoring the 1-0 goal 12.51 in overtime.
2003/2004
Frölunda finished third in the regular season, behind HV 71 and Färjestad. They crushed Djurgården 4-0 in matches in the quarter-finals. Frölunda won impressively both the first and second game with 8-1 respectively. HV 71 from Jönköping awaited in the semi-finals, where Frölunda was defeated by 4-2 in games.
2002/2003
Frölunda won the regular season in impressive style. They defeated Modo in the quarter-finals. Then, they beat Timrå, the surprise team of the season, 4-2 in the semi-finals. The finals against Färjestad were an evenly- matched affair, but Frölunda won all four matches, and, after 38 years of waiting, Frölunda won the Swedish Championships for the second time.
2001/2002
Frölunda finished fifth in the regular season, which Färjestad won with a record 118 points. After five matches MoDo were too strong in the play-off semi-finals.
2000/2001
Frölunda finished eighth in the regular season, which Djurgården won. In the quarter-finals, Frölunda lost to Färjestad.
1999/2000
Frölunda finished third in the regular season behind Djurgården and Brynäs; lost to Modo in the quarter-finals.
1998/1999
Seventh in the regular season, which Modo won. Modo then beat Frölunda in the quarter-finals.
1997/1998
Frölunda finished fourth in the regular season; won against Brynäs in the quarter-finals, but lost 3-1 to Färjestad in the semi-finals.
1996/1997
Seventh in the “Eliteserien” (Elite Ice Hockey League); Frölunda lost to Luleå in the quarter-finals.
1995/1996
Second in the Eliteserien behind Luleå, however with the same number of points. Frölunda beat Leksand in the quarter-finals and MoDo in the semi-finals, but Frölunda lost to Luleå in the finals.
1994/1995
Frölunda finished eleventh in the Eliteserien, and again had to play in the “Allsvenskan” (First Division), where they came second behind Rögle. In the play-offs, Frölunda beat Rögle.
1993/1994
Back in the Elitserien, and Frölunda finished fourth. After a low scoring 1-0 road win against Modo, Djurgården proved to be too strong in the quarter-finals.
1992/1993
Second to last in the Eliteserien and relegated to the Allsvenskan, where they were victorious. Frölunda beat Huddinge 3-0 in the Allsvenskan Play-Off Finals.
1991/1992
At last, on 20 October, came the first road win in 28 matches in the Eliteserien. Frölunda finished fifth in the league, but lost to Brynäs in the quarter-finals.
1990/1991
Another difficult season in the Eliteserien, Frölunda played 12 games between 7 October and 22 November without a single win. The home game against Luleå on 6 December was another setback (1-8). It was better in the Allsvenskan, losing 3-1 to Leksand in the Allsvenskan Play-off Finals (best of five), but winning the qualification group. IF Mölndal Hockey came seventh in the Allsvenskan.
1989/1990
The Eliteserien was too tough for Frölunda, who finished last. The home match against AIK on 25 February finished 7-13. Frölunda let in 202 goals in 40 games.
1988/1989
Winners of Division I again, second in the Allsvenskan, but defeat against Västerås in the deciding match of the finals. Frölunda won the qualification group and the Eliteserien awaited.
1987/1988
Winners of Division I (South), winners of the Allsvenskan, but lost 10-1 in the fifth, and deciding, game of the Allsvenskan Playoff Finals against Skellefteå. Frölunda finished third in the qualification group.
1986/1987
Again winners of Division I (South). This time, they came third in the Allsvenskan and crashed out to Väsby in the first-round of the playoffs.
1985/1986
Frölunda won Division I (South), finished fourth in the Allsvenskan and lost to Västerås in the second-round of the playoffs.
1984/1985
Västra Frölunda Hockey Club is formed. Frölunda and Troja were in a class of their own in Division I (South). Troja and Frölunda won one match each in their head-to-heads, but Frölunda won the regular season. In the Allsvenskan, Frölunda came third behind Modo and Troja. In the playoffs, Västerås were too strong.
1983/1984
The year when Frölunda came last, including a heavy 10-2 road loss to Leksand, and dropped out of the Eliteserien.
1982/1983
Not a good season, including eight straight defeats and a heavy 9-2 defeat on the road against Björklöven. Frölunda finished seventh in the Eliteserien.
1981/1982
Even though Frölunda came only seventh, and, with that, missed the playoffs, they still got their revenge on Djurgården (from 1979/80). In the road match on 10 December, Frölunda, between 18:43 and 19:49 of the third period, turned a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 victory.
1980/1981
Fifth in the regular season and a heavy 10-1 defeat against Färjestad on 22 February: in the playoffs, it was just two games in the semi-finals against AIK, who were too strong for Frölunda.
1979/1980
After a third-place finish in the Eliteserien, Frölunda went to the playoffs. Worth noting, however, is during the match against Djurgården on 25 November they fell asleep - between 18:48 and 19:42 in the third period, DIF turned a 5-7 deficit into an 8-7 victory. Huge win (10-4) against Björklöven on 13 March: in the playoffs, Frölunda successfully saw off Björklöven in the semi-finals, but succumbed 2-1 to Brynäs in a fifth, and deciding, final at Johanneshov.
1978/1979
Huge home win (12-1) against Brynäs on 22 February. Fifth in the Eliteserien.
1977/1978
On 13 November, Frölunda were trailing Skellefteå 4-0, but won 6-5. On 9 March, they trounced Leksand 10-1 at home. Frölunda finished sixth in the Eliteserien.
1976/1977
AIK got their revenge the following year, when they thrashed Frölunda 9-0 in Gothenburg. Frölunda finished eighth in the Eliteserien.
1975/1976
Despite some really good games, Frölunda finished seventh in the Eliteserien. Frölunda won 9-1 at home against Färjestad, 8-0 away to AIK and 7-0 at home to Skellefteå.
1974/1975
The match against Timrå on 26 January should be quickly forgotten. Timrå won 12-1, seven of their goals were scored in the first period. Frölunda had a total of 15 shots on goal. On 13 February, there was the tragic plane crash (some of the Frölunda players had been on their way to a match against Brynäs). The team played its next game on 16 February.
1973/1974
Second in the regular season behind Leksand. Leksand won the SM-playoffs (Swedish Championship Playoffs), whilst Frölunda came seventh.
1972/1973
Frölunda finished fourth in the regular season and third in the SM-playoffs behind Leksand and Södertälje.
1971/1972
Frölunda won Division I (South), but were not as successful in the SM-playoffs; the team finishing sixth. Worth noting that the first league match was played at Scandinavium on 17 October against Färjestad, Frölunda winning 5-3. In the District Championship, Frölunda won 15-1 in the semi-finals against Chalmers, and convincingly 10-0 in the final against Vasa HC.
1970/1971
Fourth in the regular season, but last in the “SM-serien” (Swedish League Championships). The consolation this year was that they won the District Championship Final against Vasa 11-1.
1969/1970
Frölunda finished fourth in the regular season, but picked themselves up in the SM-serien and came second behind Brynäs. For the home match against Brynäs on 18 January, 10,242 spectators came to Frölundaborg; Brynäs winning 3-2.
1968/1969
Frölunda came second in the regular season and third in the SM-serien. In the home game against Nybro, which Frölunda won 11-0, Frölunda fired 73 shots (32-28-13).
1967/1968
Third in the regular season and third in the SM-serien, which was reintroduced. On 14 December, during the regular season match away to Västerås, Ronald “Angry-Pelle” Pettersson broke his leg and a fantastic carrier was over. In the return match against Västerås on 28 January, Frölunda took revenge by crushing Västerås 17-0.
1966/1967
Third in the regular season, with a place in the SM playoff finals. Once again, it was Brynäs who proved to be too strong.
1965/1966
In the regular season, Frölunda came second behind Brynäs. In the SM-playoffs (new for this year), Frölunda beat Modo in the quarter-finals. The semi-finals required a third, and deciding, game against Djurgården, Frölunda winning 12-1. Brynäs won the finals (best of three) against Frölunda 2-1.
1964/1965
First, Frölunda won Division I (South), then, on 11 February, they secured the Swedish Championship by beating Västerås away in the SM-serien. In the District Championship Final, Frölunda easily beat Fellows 14-0.
1963/1964
Again winners of Division I (South). In the match against Öster, on 5 December, Frölunda scored ten goals in the second period. The match finished 15-2. Frölunda ended up fourth in the SM-serien.
1962/1963
Winners of Division I (South) for the first time. At the home match against Djurgården on 8 November, in front of a crowd of 23,192 at Ullevi, the team got its revenge for the year before. Frölunda won 3-2 after having been 0-2 down. A Swedish attendance record was set. The match against Grums was also historic with regards to goals in the top division; Frölunda winning 18-4. Frölunda ended up fifth in the SM-serien. In the District Championship Final, Frölunda downed Bäcken 7-2.
1961/1962
Success in the Division I (South), Frölunda come second behind Djurgården. The match against Djurgården on 17 December attracted 22,307 spectators to Ullevi. Djurgården won 6-5. Frölunda also finished second in the SM-serien. In the District Championship, Frölunda downed Kungälvs IK 14-7.
1960/1961
Frölunda back in Division II (West B), which they won undefeated with an impressive goals for/against of 171-35 in fourteen matches. However, it is obvious that the 22-0 result against Mariestad boosted the statistics somewhat. Frölunda won the playoff series to advance to Division I (South). Frölunda were finally able to beat GAIS in a district championship final, the result being 7-0.
1959/1960
Debut in Division I (South). Teams like Djurgården, Södertälje and Bofors were just too strong. Frölunda’s first goal in the top division was scored by Kjell Jönsson on 20 November.
1958/1959
Success in Division II (South B); Frölunda won the league ahead of Troja. Frölunda also won the playoff series to advance to Division I. When it comes to spectator friendly ice hockey, we can report that an exhibition match at the Ullevi rink between a full-strength Frölunda and Djurgården finished 9-9.
1957/1958
Debut in Division II (West B); Frölunda ended up second behind Kil. In the District Championship, GAIS were still too strong.
1956/1957
Frölunda win Division III of the South Western League undefeated. Goals for/against after five matches: 41-4.
1955/1956
Frölunda finished second in the league behind GAIS.
1954/1955
Frölunda back in Division III of the South Western League, where they came second. In the District Championship, Frölunda lost 5-1 in the final against GAIS. During this time, Frölunda also played its first international match, winning 10-3 at home against Rosenhov from Oslo.
1953/1954
Frölunda back in Class 1 of the Gothenburg League, which they won easily. In an exhibition match, a full-strength Frölunda, for the first time, played against a team from outside Western Sweden. On 17 February 1954, Hammarby won the match at the Ullevi rink 16-1.
1952/1953
Frölunda came fifth this year, when the teams played each other twice in the league. The District Championship was won for the first time this year. The 1952 District Championship Final against Fellows was played in 1953; Frölunda winning 3-1.
1951/1952
Frölunda made its debut in Division III of the South Western League, where they came third behind IFK Trollhättan and IFK Vänersborg.
1950/1951
Frölunda won Class 1 of the Gothenburg League undefeated. In one of the matches, Frölunda beat Lerum 15-2.
1949/1950
Frölunda won Class B of the Gothenburg League. Goals for/against after three matches were 16-4.
1948/1949
No district matches were played because of the warm winter.
1947/1948
Frölunda came second behind Dixhov in the Gothenburg League. Worth noting that Frölunda beat Chalmers by a walk over.
1946/1947
Frölunda came second behind Gothenburg Ice Skating Club in the Gothenburg League. Hisingen and Chalmers came third and fourth respectively.
1945/1946
Frölunda lost 7-3 to Gothenburg Ice Skating Club in the District Championship.
1944/1945
The league began, but could not be finished because of the adverse weather.
1943/1944
Västra Frölunda IF included ice hockey in its programme.
Sources:
50 years of Västra Frölunda by Szymon Szemberg
Match programmes and other printed media.
