Ohlund Photos - Changed my computer

Well, in addition to all of my personal life changes, I've also changed computers and don't know if I can do any further updates to the Mattias Ohlund Appreciation Page. Anyhoo, here're some Ohlie photos. I have missed soooo many.

Ohlund scores for Sweden

Why wasn't the Sweden game televised?? Anyway, Ohlie scored in their game against Germany February 17, 2010.

Tampa/NJ Game postponed due to.. lighting?

OK, so outdoor sports you would expect to see game delays or cancellations due to things like the weather.. but HOCKEY?

Friday's NJD/TBL game in New Jersey had the Lightning up 3-0 in the 2nd period when the lights on part of the ice went dead. They tried for almost 2 hours to fix the computer/circuit breaker issue while the players hung out in the dressing rooms.

Mattias Ohlund: "I guess there is a first for everything. But it is what it is, there's nothing you can do, and it was out of our control."

Eventually, Colin Campbell made the decision to suspend the game.

The Lightning played in Philly on Sat and instead of having Sunday off, came back to NJ to continue where the Friday game left off. Ohlund could not play due to stomach flu. Lightning still won the game 4-2.

Merry Christmas! 800th game for Mattias

Well, it's the holiday season! It's the only time of the year that I choose to be more like my old self.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Dec 23, 2009 marked Ohlie's 800th NHL game. Here's to another 800!

Here's an article on Ohlie by Erik Erlendsson at the Tampa Tribune - I love how he still gets appreciated down in Tampa.

Ohlund making an impact with Bolts
Dec 26, 2009
For the past decade, Lightning fans had heard of Mattias Ohlund in name only.

He was the steady defensive stalwart for the Vancouver Canucks.

The numbers never jumped out - 325 points in 770 career games. And when the Canucks' top players were discussed, it was Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, Todd Bertuzzi, Trevor Linden or more recently Roberto Luongo who immediately came to mind.

Even if Ohlund was a barely recognizable name to Lightning fans before signing a seven-year free-agent contract last summer, the rugged blue liner hasn't wasted time making an impression.

Ask Henrik Zetterberg, the Red Wings superstar who is on the shelf after he leaned in for a puck only to take the brunt of a vicious - and clean - shoulder check from Ohlund on Dec. 17 that left him with a partially separated shoulder.

Or Phil Kessel, who in his first game back following offseason shoulder surgery, made the mistake of coming across Ohlund's blue line with his head down only to be greeted with a devastating hit that knocked him backwards onto the ice.

Those are the extreme examples of what Ohlund brings with his physical presence as he patrols the Lightning blue line.

"I knew he was physical, but this year he's had some huge hits," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "But obviously not watching him out west, it's like, now you know that's why when you see in the playoffs, guys going after him, it's because that's how physical he is."

Andrej Meszaros knew Ohlund was much more than just a name on the roster. While the 24-year-old defenseman played one year of junior hockey in Vancouver, he remembers hearing of Ohlund's reputation.

"I used to watch the Canucks, so he was great for them, and he's been great for us, too. We are lucky to have him," Meszaros said.

The Lightning and Ohlund have been a perfect match from the moment he hit the free-agent market. Tampa Bay was in need of a veteran leader for a young defensive unit, while also wanting somebody to serve as a mentor for rookie Victor Hedman, who was selected second overall in the 2009 draft.

In need of a change after feeling he was no longer wanted in Vancouver, Ohlund was seeking a new challenge.

Ohlund certainly has delivered, despite only seven assists and no goals in 30 games this season. He has provided the leadership the team envisioned, taken to his mentor-like role for Hedman and been the same steady presence he was during his decade with Vancouver, leading the team in average ice time at 24 minutes, 2 seconds per game.

"He's been a solid guy with a workmanlike attitude each game," Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said. "His physical play, too, is something that the other team will have his name circled and tell each other to be careful coming through the middle.

"And when you have players like that, you put on the brakes a little bit more through the neutral zone, where sometimes you are going through on your heels a little bit, and that's just enough to slow teams down. It's nice to have those guys on your team."

Ohlund said adjusting to a new situation has been every bit the challenge he expected, but he also knows that he can give more as the season goes on.

"I don't think that I've played my best. I want to be able to give more and do more than I have," he said. "But I've been feeling better and better and hopefully my own personal game can improve. I do have that level and obviously I want to play a little bit better."

Mattias tops Tampa Bay's hot 20 under 40

Excerpted from an article by Stephen Brown - Tampa Bay Illustrated:
The Iceman, Mattias Ohlund, 33

As one of the newest members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mattias Öhlund is bringing a new level of determination, and sometimes aggression, to the back-ice as the high-powered defenseman takes to the rink. Öhlund’s career started in Sweden, wearing the jersey for his national team in the World Championships in 1997, and quickly followed by the birth of a NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks in 1997. As a three-time Olympian, Öhlund helped lead the Swedish team to gold in the 2006 Winter Olympic games in Turin, Italy. Signing Öhlund during the off-season, the Lightning and the rest of the Bay hope this is the season the Bolts again lift Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Mattias Ohlund: "It is a little bit warm for a dog."

I was surprised to read an article on Ohlund in the Vancouver Sun, considering that OHlund isn't a Canuck anymore. Regardless, it was nice to get an update on how he's doing. I guess the Ohlund family isn't minding the heat (except for Eros, their labrador). In Tampa news, I've heard about Victor's giveaways but nothing on Ohlund's play. I guess that's a good thing. I'm sad that I can't watch any of his games.

Anyway, here's the Elliott Pap article on Mattias.

Mattias Ohlund in a sunshine state with Bolts

Former Canuck D-man enjoying new role, and going to the rink in shorts
Mattias Ohlund was trying not to rub it in but it still sounded totally outrageous.

“It’s 91 degrees and sunny here right now,” the ex-Vancouver Canuck announced Monday, happily giving the weather report from his new home in Tampa, Fla. “We had a little bit of rain and lightning when we first got here but it’s been pretty much in the 90s for the last month. So there is nothing to complain about. Actually, our dog might be the only one complaining. It is a little bit warm for a dog.”

After 11 seasons as a Canuck, Ohlund opted for a gigantic leap to the U.S. south and a non-traditional hockey market. A lucrative seven-year deal worth $26.25 million certainly didn’t hurt but Ohlund insisted he wanted something completely different. He has it now. He’s even wearing a new digit on his jersey, No. 5.

“It’s been very good,” he said of the transition. “Obviously we loved Vancouver but it’s been a nice change both on and off the ice. We are really enjoying all the new experiences.”

One of those “new” experiences is driving to the practice rink in shorts and a T-shirt. That, Ohlund noted, is not among the toughest things to take.

“You adjust easily,” he chuckled. “But even though you go to the rink in shorts and a T-shirt, once you get inside, you have no idea what it’s like outside. It feels like you could be anywhere.”

Ohlund, 33, is an integral part of a revamped Lightning blueline. He has four assists and is a plus-1 in nine games — Tampa is 3-3-3 — and he has been partnered with much touted rookie and fellow Swede Victor Hedman since the season began.

It’s no secret Lightning GM Brian Lawton wanted Ohlund to mentor Hedman, just as Ohlund had done in Vancouver with the likes of Brent Sopel and Alex Edler.

Hedman was drafted second overall last June. Not coincidentally, he has four assists and is a plus-1, numbers identical to Ohlund.

“Victor is a very, very talented guy,” Ohlund said. “He still has a lot to learn but, for being 18, he’s very mature and obviously he has a ton of skill. So it’s been fun playing with him.”

The Lightning don’t play in Vancouver this season so Ohlund’s only chance to skate in a meaningful game at GM Place will be during the Olympics. He is hoping to be selected and likely will if he remains healthy.

He was a member of the

2006 gold-medal winning Swedish team although he

didn’t suit up for the final in Turin due to injury.

“Absolutely, I would like to play in the Olympics,” Ohlund stated. “They haven’t picked the team yet but I’m obviously hoping to make it. After playing so many years in Vancouver, that would be a lot of fun. It feels like a long ways away, which it’s not, but it feels like it because we have so many games before that.”

Only 52 more, to be exact, and the 49th will be a home game against the Canucks. Ohlund admits he is keeping a keen eye on his ex-mates and talks regularly to a few of the boys.

“I watch the highlights and I watched a little bit of their game against Edmonton,” he said. “I know they had a rough start to the season but they’ve played a lot better lately. They have a great team there.

“Our team? We’ve had some good games and some not-so good games. This is a team here that’s been close to the worst record in the league the last two years so we have a long way to go. But I do feel we’re going to be able to compete for a playoff spot.”

Whatever the case, Ohlund is clearly happy to be feeling the heat, not the rain, during an NHL season.

Exciting game tonight!

Got treated out to the preseason game against the Calgary Flames tonight and whoa, was the ending ever exciting! People started leaving with 2 minutes to the end of the third. The Canucks were down 3-4 (after being up 3-0). Amazingly enough, there was a Canucks goal at the 10 second mark. (People started coming back). After that one was disallowed (it was after the whistle), people started leaving again but then there was ANOTHER Canucks goal with TWO seconds left on the clock, tying the game and bringing it to OT! .. then to shootout.. then to sudden death shootout.. then to a Canucks WIN thanks to Daniel Sedin. OH my god. Awesome game for the entertainment factor.

ASIDE: Mattias Ohlund has a minor hip injury and is wearing #5. I guess he and Lukas Krajicek have switched numbers from when they were both in Vancouver. Ha ha. Here's a link to the Lightning Round with Mattias Ohlund. I enjoyed these answers:

LR: If you had to pick someone to play you in a movie who would it be?
MO: That’s a good question. Wow. How about Brad Pitt?

LR: If you could be in a band, which one would you be in and which instrument would you play?
MO: I would be the lead singer for U2.

LR: What is something fans may not know about you?
MO: I’m not that exciting.

Happy Belated Birthday Mattias!

I missed Ohlie's birthday yesterday! Hope it was a good one!

Photos of Ohlund at the signing

Meh, with just a little bit of effort I found these photos of Mattias from the Young Guns Camp. Hate facebok. Ugh.

More Ohlund photographs

Here are a couple of recent Mattias Ohlund photographs I've found.

Here's a link to audio of Brian Lawton on Mattias Ohlund.

Brian Lawton on Mattias Ohlund:

"The one thing that I heard from one player which really stuck with me was that this is a guy who goes about his business everyday in such an efficient manner that his previous team probably isn't going to know what they lost until he's not there everyday."

Sigh. Brian, I fear you are completely correct. :,(

Hurry up and release the 09-10 NHL schedule already!

Trying to plan vacation is useless unless I have the schedule. HELL-OOOO??

And where are the photos from yesterday's Mattias Ohlund authograph signing in Tampa Bay? Anyway, here's a photo of Mattias from a Feb NSD article.

Aside: I know I don't do a lot of personal blogging but I have to say that I was highly disappointed in the level of hotness of people encountered in europe. Out of the 7? countries I went to, people were only hot in.. Belgium. Very disappointing. tsk tsk. Belgians. Their country slogan should be: Hot people... and we make good chocolate too.

I miss Ohlund already

So Ohlund is supposed to be taking part in Tampa Bay's prospect camp autograph signing July 11, 2009. Wow. That was fast. Goodbye mountains, rain, snow, hounding press attention. Hello... sun, beach, hurricanes? Hmm, what's Tampa Bay known for?

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, the No. 2 overall pick in last week's NHL Draft, headlines the additions to an updated list of players who will attend a prospect camp in Tampa next week.

Hedman, 18, will take the ice for the first time in a Lightning jersey during the week-long event, which begins on July 9.

The team is designing a special Hedman T-shirt for the occasion, to be given away free to the first 200 people who attend an intrasquad scrimmage on July 11. Voting for one of three potential designs is being conducted on the team's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/TBLightning.

The camp, which is open to the public, will run from July 9-15 at the St. Pete Times Forum. The scrimmage/skills competition will be from 7-9 p.m. on July 11, with newly signed free agents Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker expected to join the prospects to sign autographs before and after the scrimmage session.

Ohlund with reporters

This is a blog posting from a reporter following the Lightning Bolts at Mattias Ohlund: "My best years are in front of me"

Here is some of Mattias Ohlund's conference call with reporters:

Opening statement: I think it’s a great opportunity for me. I was ecstatic when they called and I felt from the beginning this is the place I wanted to be. It felt right and felt like something I wanted to be part of. Having said that I’m also grateful for the 11 years I played with Vancouver. It’s a great place to play. It’s a great organization. I made a lot of friends there, friends for life. But having said that I felt it was time for me to move on and I’m excited about the future.

On mentoring draft choice Victor Hedman: I’m real excited about joining him. I never met victor to be honest but I heard so many good things about him. I was sitting tonight with Daniel and Henrik Sedin and they’re from the same hometown and know him quite well. They had nothing but good things to say about him as a person and a hockey player.

On Hedman’s reputation in Sweden: Victor has a great reputation. He’s from the same town as a lot of NHL hockey players. The Sedins (Daniel and Henrik) and Markus Naslund are three of them. I spoke to the three of them about him and hear only good things about him. I’ve barely seen him play. I saw the world junior championships a few games they played and noticed he was an extremely skilled player. I heard only good things about him as a person and I’m looking forward spending the next few years with him.

On creating a relationship with Hedman: You make a phone call. I’m sure I’m going to be calling him and talking to him the next few days after things settle down. You share your experiences you had when you were younger. I made mistakes when I was young and hopefully I learned from them and I can prevent him from making th same ones. It’s a tough league to play in he’s got a lot to learn. I’m excited to be a small part of getting him started here.

Advice he would give Hedman: First of all realize how lucky we all are to be in this league. It’s a great league to be part of. Come in with a smile on his face regardless of whether he had a tough day the night before. You got to realize your extremely lucky to be part of this league.

Is he a good fit for Tampa?: Tampa has a very talented hockey team. They have a talented group of guys. I do think I can help out with a lot of experience and be a big part of helping their D corps. I feel like I have my best years ahead of me and I’m extremely excited about my next little while here.

Is there a mental adjustment going to a bad team?: This team won a Stanley Cup not too far away and they have some guys who were part of that team. Last year they didn’t have a great year. Obviously, I’d like to be part of turning things around here, and I do feel like I bring a lot to the hockey club. But in fairness, we only played them once last year and I haven’t seen them play over the years tons. I do feel like I can be part of hopefully bringing this team on the right track again.

When did he realize he needed to leave the Canucks?: I felt maybe last year that, in this business when you have a year left or just over a year left, you realize you might be heading in this direction to unrestricted free agency and we had some discussions but in all honesty I never really felt a big interest from their side. I might be wrong. I think it was mutual. I felt I needed a change. I had a great 11 years I have no hard feelings. But I just felt I needed a change. I’m not sure exactly when that happened but it was a while back.

It’s going to be a big change but I’m excited about it. I’m curious how it’s going to be. I haven’t spent a lot of time down there and I know it’s going to be different. Positive thoughts and I’m looking forward to it.

What will he miss about Vancouver?: It’s a fantastic place to live. We raised two wonderful kids in Vancouver and they have a lot of friends and we have a lot of friends we met through our kids’ schools and stuff, and we’re going to miss that. But that’s part of life. Just because you move to a different city, you won’t keep your friends. I met a lot of people in Vancouver I know I’m going to be in contact with the rest of our lives.

How did GM Brian Lawton sell you on Tampa?: Brian spoke about there team and the city of Tampa and it’s a very talented hockey club, and I do feel like I can bring a lot to this hockey team with my experience. I’m 32 years old I feel like I have my best years ahead of me and to be able to help Victor Hedman out is an important part of my job. So there’s a lot of stuff I’m excited about.

Is Tampa Bay's ownership situation troublesome?:: No, I spoke to Brian and I felt like this was a good situation for me. I felt this was the team that wanted me and wanted me to be a big part of the organization and that’s all I needed to hear.

I do feel like I have my best years ahead of me and I’m going to push to get better and better every year. If I can help some young guys out with my experience, that’s great.

Ohlund interviewed by Carrie Serwetnyk

Found this interview of Ohlund by Carrie Serwetnyk. A nice article, but not too sure about those "two boys immersed in youth soccer" though.

ASIDE: If there's any news on Ohlie for the next few weeks, it won't be up on the blog because I'll have limited internet access while in europe. Ciao et a beintot!
----------------
I kept hearing from
folks in Vancouver about how nice of a guy Mattias Öhlund is. I was not disappointed. Gracious with his time and humble in speech, the longest-standing Canuck and I met to talk about the world game that rivals his hockey passion. With his two boys immersed in youth soccer and his ancestral links to Europe, it is natural for him to be intimately connected to the beautiful game.

I assume you are a big football fan coming from Sweden. What are your roots or inspiration as a football player?
Well, football has been so huge back in Europe...I played from age seven to fifteen and at fifteen I had to stop because hockey took too much time. I was never a great great player but I loved playing and it's a great sport. I played midfielder most of the time and then when I got older, around fourteen or fifteen, I got slower, so they put me back on defense.

Did that happen in hockey too?
No (he laughs). I am defense but I don't know if that's what happened, too. We all played, all my buddies played.

Did you dream of becoming a professional player?
Absolutely. When I grew up, I dreamt as much about soccer as I did about hockey. I dreamt that one day I am a good or decent player. I watched all the big leagues over the years when I was younger. Even today, I follow it a lot. In Sweden we have a lot of great players.

Did you have a favourite player?
I am a big Man United fan, I watched them a ton before I came over here between the ages seventeen and twenty. I have been to Old Trafford to watch a game, walked around there for a while. My favourite? I loved Maradona. In Sweden, we had a guy named Thomas Brolin who played a number of years in Italy. He stopped playing when he was 28, but he was the number one guy in Sweden.

Your kids play?
Absolutely. It's a great sport. I love the fact that it's outdoors and they are outdoors and it's easy - you put on a pair of shoes or go barefeet in the summer time. We play all the time. We go back to Europe and we have a nice big grass backyard at our summer home. We have nets sets up. Me and my buddies play all the time.


If your kids had the same athletic ability you have, which sport would you like them to choose?
I don't know. They can do whatever they want. I know that obviously I love my sport but I love soccer, it's so easy. Kids spend a lot more time indoors way more than we did so I love that they are outside.

We talk about the World Cup in 1994 when Sweden lost in the semi finals to Brazil?
Everything stopped that summer for a couple of weeks. I remember it like it was yesterday. Those games they played were unbelievable.

You are the longest-lasting Canuck. Are you planning to stay?
I have no idea what is going to happen. We will see. I have been here for a long time and it's a great city. And maybe it's time to go see something else strictly from a hockey standpoint. We will see what happens in the next few weeks. We will figure it out.

Would you keep your family here?
No. In our business, I have been lucky to be in one place for so many years, especially with young kids. I probably have one move in me and then it's done.

Do you think you will play in the Olympics this year?
I sure hope so. I have played three times before and it's a fantastic experience. Especially over here in Vancouver where I have so many friends, so many good years...it will be a special special thing.

I read about the your experience with the gold medal where you were hurt for the final in Turin. The Sedin twins offered their medal if the Olympic committee didn't give you one. You must have really felt like brothers after such an offer?
Absolutely ... at the end I did get the medal. We have a great group of guys and we always do when we play with the national team. I did feel like I was a part of that team, even though it ended in a sour way not to play. But that's part of getting injured and that's part of sport. I guess you have to learn to accept that.

Zidane is coming to town on July 4th for a charity match. Would you like to play?
Oh, I would love to but I don't think I can run with him. I have watched him over the years and he is obviously one of the best that has ever played and yes it would be fun. Most of us Canucks would be concerned about hurting ourselves. Most guys are really careful in the off season with what they do.

Are you not allowed to play?
I would be surprised if they got Canuck players because of the injury factor -if you hurt yourself or blow your ACL. We are not allowed to ski, for example, or do water sports. Guys obviously do at times but you have to be careful.

Cross training ... as a soccer player what do you think the benefits are from playing hockey?
Hockey players today have done so many weights. I am 230 today. I think there are few soccer players so heavy, they are obviously way quicker and the endurance is way better than ours. Our game is very different. Even though both sports have very good athletes, we are built really different. Soccer training would be more beneficial for us for quickness.

If you do leave Vancouver, how would you like people to remember you?
Oh I don't know. I haven't really thought about it - just an honest hard working guy, I am not that complicated. Luckily if I move, I am excited about the future. Who knows I might be back one day. You never know.

Ohlund: "Life is too short to be sad"

Ohlund: "Life is too short to be sad"

How true. But guess what, Ohlund? We'll be sad anyway.

Well, what a difference a week makes. The Canucks are out of the Cup race and we've likely just witnessed Ohlie's last game. Haven't really wanted to deal with it or talk or blog about it, quite frankly. I kinda really wanted Trevor and Mattias to end their times with Vancouver with a Stanley Cup ring and it's pretty heartbreaking that it wasn't meant to be.

Here's a link to Elliott Papp's article from yesterday on Ohlund.

Jim Jamieson's article pretty much reports what we've always known but Barry's comment was telling:

Ohlund’s agent, Calgary-based J.P. Barry of CAA Sports, said he’s had little interaction over the past season with Canucks GM Mike Gillis regarding Ohlund.

“We never really got traction on negotiations,” said Barry on Wednesday. “The door is not closed, but it’s almost closed.”

Ohlund Playoff photos

Another article giving some love to Ohlund

And because we love Mattias Ohlund around here, here's an article WOOTing Ohlie from Tony Gallagher:

All-round fine effort by prime-time Ohlund
April 20, 2009

ST. LOUIS — With 34 seconds remaining in the game here Sunday night, Mattias Ohlund made his only mistake of the evening when he put too much mustard on a clearing effort and iced the puck.

Everything else, pretty much gold. And while some say he’s slipped a little bit as he’s gotten older, he hasn’t slipped far if you watched him closely while the Vancouver Canucks were taking a guzzle hold on this series.

“What can you say?” said Sami Salo about Ohlund with a smile. “Big on penalty kill, big minutes, big-time player. That’s what it’s all about.”

In typical Ohlund fashion, he played down every aspect of his performance, which saw him take over for the normal lion on the kill, Willie Mitchell, on the left side of both two- man disadvantages — evidently the officials feeling such situations are acceptable as a way of getting the Blues into this series.

But with Ohlund looking every bit in his prime since the playoffs started, it just wasn’t happening for St. Louis, the big Swede blasting pucks around the boards, blocking shots, slipping little backhand clearing passes up the middle and generally making life more bearable for Roberto Luongo, who normally would have been trying to catch bullets in his teeth in such a situation.

“If you analyze why we’re taking all these penalties, I don’t really know what it is — whether we’re not moving our feet or what — but killing them off is a big part of the playoffs and with Willie our main PK guy, I had a little more work on that than normal. But I’ve felt pretty good most of the year and tonight we got it done on the kill.”

Ohlund managed to chip in the Canucks’ first goal on the power play, as well, although he was feeling like the goalie in the commercial who has the horseshoes drop out of his shorts afterwards.

“It was lucky, I mean I hardly hit the puck at all and it just kept going,” said the big Swede, who would love to stay with Vancouver next season but may be worth more than the Canucks can afford, given all the emerging talent that needs to fit under the umbrella.

Salo talked about how important it is to win faceoffs and pointed to Ryan Johnson’s great night on the draw, but after the win on those shorthanded situations the defenceman’s response to possession is crucial. Ohlund was at his best, coolly picking spots and hammering pucks out, getting far more ginger on those pucks than he did on the seeing-eye goal, all of which he’ll take, thank you.

“I’ve never felt we’ve done enough in playoffs here in Vancouver on the teams I’ve been on and that’s something we’d all like to change,” he said.

They appear to have set off in the right direction, and Ohlund is one of men leading the way.

Damn straight!

Tony Gallagher on Ohlund

Here's a great one from Tony Gallagher from March 18..:

VANCOUVER- There was a certain poetry in the fact the Vancouver Canucks set a franchise record for consecutive victories at home on a night when Mattias Ohlund enjoyed one of the most deserved standing ovations in the 38-year history of this NHL team.

This most consistent of understated hard rock defencemen has been through thick and thin in his years with this franchise. It started when Vancouver had the right to match a Toronto offer when former GM Pat Quinn was trying to beat Ohlund for a few thousand dollars on his rookie contract. Quinn finally had to spend the money when Leaf GM Bill Watters at the time forced the issue with an attempt to poach the promising star.

Ohlund's been nothing but gold since he arrived and it's as though he's being somewhat rewarded for all his hard work with this team. Where it all ends up this season remains to be seen - as does his future in this league given he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the campaign - but for his years here the best way to describe him is with two words: captain material. He's never been named captain of course but you certainly get the feeling he received strong consideration at the outset of this season and had fellow Swede Markus Naslund not been the proceeding holder of the position, he might well have had a C on his jersey when he stood at the Vancouver bench Tuesday night acknowledging the fans' heart felt salute.

In his 11 years on the West Coast there's never been a night when he didn't give absolutely everything he had, and what he had was a whole lot of talent which had so many manifestations it's hard to pick what he's done best. Was it the great intimidation he provided with open ice hits? Was it his ability to move the puck, clear the front of the net, handle the other team's top forward or lead the franchise in points for a defenceman?

He's done it all and he's still doing it and if by some chance the dollars can be worked out at the end of the season, GM Mike Gillis would like nothing more for him to keep doing it for the foreseeable future. And so would his teammates.

``We've played together all of about three shifts in our three years together as teammates because they like to keep us apart but he's been a great teammate, composed, quiet and he's led the team in goals and points as well,'' says fellow defenceman Willie Mitchell. ``I don't think he knew exactly what was going to happen but we knew they'd do something so we were all kidding him before the game. I don't think he's too comfortable taking credit like that.''

Indeed he was not.

``It was really nice that it came on a night when the team is playing so well and we're having a lot of fun,'' said Ohlund of the salute for becoming the club's all-time leading scorer as a defender. ``We feel good about our team but we've felt good about it before and not had the kind of playoff success we'd hoped for. Obviously we're hoping this year will be different.''

Ohlund's 62-year old father Kenneth, who used to coach him as a youngster as he came up through the Swedish club system, would have been proud watching on the satellite at four in the morning back home.

``They get about 30-35 games a year live and he's up for all of them,'' says Ohlund of his dad

Ohlund has been through all kinds of injuries over the years yet shown remarkable durability through all the hurts a physical defenceman will suffer over so many years, not the least of which were the serious eye problems early in his career which could well have kept him out of the hearts of Vancouver fans.

Yet he persevered, maybe took a little less money to stay with the Canucks in a couple of his deals to help bring this team to where it is this season. He'd like to see it go a lot further of course, but that chapter hasn't yet been written. What he's done to date however will almost certainly guarantee more standing ovations from these fans in the future, whether he's wearing a Canuck uniform or returning some day in a suit after his retirement.

I need some distance in this relationship..

My resolution for this year's playoffs is that I will not become 100% emotionally invested in the success of the Canucks. Being a Canucks fan is like being in a goddamned relationship. You experience elation, pain, heartbreak, fury and but really.. you're just a 3rd party to the whole thing. Ridiculous!

This Province article from Ed Willes March 4, 2009 really captures the reality of the Ohlund situation I think. Thanks Ed.

Ohlund will be remembered no matter what
Pending UFA might go, might stay but will always be blueline horse

After 11 seasons and 751 regular-season games, the best defenceman in Vancouver Canucks' history understands the future holds no guarantees.

And he's OK with that. Back at the start of this season, it was made clear to Mattias Ohlund there's a fundamental difference in the way the Canucks interpret his value and the way he interprets his value. He believes he's a front-line NHL defenceman and should be compensated as such.

The Canucks, who already have four proven blueliners under contract for next season, have a slightly different take on things.

But far from being a source of angst, that knowledge has been liberating to the 32-year-old Ohlund. Six months ago, he went through his dark night of the soul and now he's at peace with his circumstances. Whatever happens will happen. And if that means a new team and a new start, it won't for a second diminish Ohlund's affection for a place he's called home for over a decade.

"This is a positive thing," Ohlund said before Tuesday night's 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. "I'm not sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I know how lucky I've been the last 11 years.

"I'm excited about the future. I'm excited about the uncertainty. This hasn't been a distraction. It's way past that. I've had a lot of times to reflect on things."

And in that reflection there's been little room for sorrow.

Ohlund, as the faithful know, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after 11 seasons of meritorious service to the Canucks. The organization has said it won't ask him to waive his no-trade clause for today's deadline, which means they run the risk of losing him without compensation this summer.

But, despite some wild rumours to the contrary, GM Mike Gillis and his staff have seemingly made the determination that Ohlund is more valuable to the Canucks in their playoff drive than he is as a trade bauble.

That's also the way the system should work. Ohlund earned the no-trade clause and he's earned the right to sell himself on the open market. The Canucks, for their part, have options of their own and they don't believe Ohlund is a fit in their future payroll at front-line dollars.

It's nothing personal. It's just business. It's also possible Ohlund will return to the Canucks next season.

As of this writing, it's just not very likely.

"I see myself as a good player, a player you'd want to have on your team," Ohlund said. "Maybe they have a different feeling, but I don't want to be kept around just because I've been here a long time.

"Maybe when I'm 36 I'll feel that way."

"He wants to play this thing out," said his agent J.P. Barry. "This might be the last thing he does with this team and he wants to help them win."

To that end, Ohlund hasn't enjoyed a vintage season. When healthy, he's knocked off 10-goal, 30-point, 25-minutes-per-game campaigns like clockwork.

But this year, much of his offence has been supplanted by young Alex Edler and Ohlund sits with just four goals and, more significantly, 21:45 of ice time per game, third among Canucks' defencemen.

"I'd like to play more," he said. "That's no secret."

Still, Ohlund doesn't believe his game has dropped off. Changed, yes. Deteriorated, no.

"I'm going to be honest," he said. "I think my season has been pretty good. My role has changed. But that's part of the business."

There's that word again.

In the right circumstances, Ohlund still believes he's that blueline horse who commands the big minutes and the big dollars. It remains to be seen, of course, if another team shares that conviction and, if they do, this will be Ohlund's last season in Vancouver.

But he'll be remembered here, remembered as a player who embodied the qualities of consistency and reliability.

There was never anything particularly flashy about Ohlund's game. He simply showed up for battle each night, lined up against the other team's best and played his heart out.

Maybe that sounds like it can be replaced. Maybe it's a lot more difficult than it seems.

Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had

I wasn't too worried about Ohlund's contract renewal but I'm seeing things that I don't like.

First of all, negotiation is an art form. It takes skill, balls and patience to play well because there are definite risks to take. The other side has to see that you are able to walk away. Ohlie's situation is hard to read because both sides are well skilled at negotiation tactics.

If I were management, I would look towards ensuring that there would be skill and consistency for the future. Bieksa's and Edler's contracts are in place so..
Check.

Next would be to quietly show that every player is replacable. Throughout the year, Ohlund's ice time has been played with. As with all experienced employees, management uses their experience, work ethic and skill to train newbies and gradually wean the organization's dependance on them.
Check.

As for public backlash, after having dealt with the departure of the most loved Canuck of all time, Trevor Linden, it looks as though the Canucks would be willing to let the PR department handle Ohlund's departure as well.

I see the signs and I don't like it. Ohlund is not replacable. He's skilled at both ends, well rounded, hard working, physical and dependable. He's loyal and has proven that he can be a defenceman in the new NHL and essential in the playoffs. In the words of Jim Robson, "I think Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had."

Some more quotes on the awesomeness of Mattias Ohlund:
John McGourty's article on NHL.com:

Nonis was told that opponents and former teammates speak in glowing terms about Ohlund. One departed Canucks defenseman recently insisted he is one of the top ten defensemen in the NHL. He plays the position so smoothly, he rarely gets noticed.

"I would agree he is among the 10 best defensemen," Nonis said. "He's so quiet. He's not a guy that draws attention to himself. He just goes about his business. He's a very good defenseman that we use against all the top players in the NHL. He's also a guy who puts up decent point totals.

NHL.com

Ohlund, 30, is the complete package: A 6-foot-2, 220-pounder with great skating ability, strength and anticipation who has a cannon for a shot. Ohlund gained a reputation as injury-prone early in his NHL career, but that thought should be dispelled. Ohlund has missed only four games in three of his past four NHL seasons, sandwiched around his 59-game season in 2002-03. Ohlund led the Canucks last season with 25:40 minutes of average ice time, just ahead of Salo's 24:29.

Teammates, former teammates and rivals speak with great respect for Ohlund, the 13th overall pick of the 1994 draft. An eight-year veteran, Ohlund has played most of his career in Jovanovski's shadow, although he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season. Fans last season voted him the best Canucks' defenseman and at age 30, he's ready to take an NHL leadership role. He set an NHL career high with eight power-play goals. Ohlund has 67 goals and 178 assists for 245 points in 558 NHL games.

Rinkside - Lukas Ackroyd:

Whether doling out big hits or delivering tape-to-tape passes, Ohlund simply gets the job done.

“He’s so solid,” said teammate and fellow Swede Daniel Sedin. “He rarely makes a mistake. You know what you’re going to get from him every game. Among the top Swedish NHL defensemen, he’s right up there."