Patrick Thoresen chooses to play his final season in Sweden

Last month, 40-year-old Patrick Thoresen, captain of the Norwegian national team, said he would play one more season and indicated it would be with either hometown Storhamar in Norway or with famous Swedish club Djurgården, for whom he played several seasons as a young player and had considerable success. Now his decision has been made, and the Norwegian club announced Thoresen’s impending departure on its website on Monday.

“It became clear today that Patrick Thoresen will continue his career at his old club Djurgården in the Allsvenskan,” the announcement on the Storhamar website began. “’Dad’ and coach Petter Thoresen informed the rest of the team about the decision at practise this morning.”

The Norwegian club concluded by saying, “We know that Patrick loves Storhamar, but that he is also very fond of Djurgården, where he had his big breakthrough at a high level. We thank him for the fantastic efforts he has made with us and wish him the best of luck with this task, which we know he is passionate about!”

Historically one of Sweden’s most successful hockey clubs, Djurgården has had a harder go of it the last two decades, spending a significant amount of time in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan. Last season, Djurgården lost in the league finals to Brynäs, and this season, a veteran roster of Thoresen and seven other players over the age of 30 will try again.

Swedish media outlet HockeyNews.se got reaction from a few Djurgården players – team captain Marcus Krüger, 34, and veterans Dick Axelsson, 37 and Linus Klasen, 38.

“He is a top player in Europe and has been for a long time. He’s played (in the NHL) too. He has played for many teams and has a history in Djurgården. I remember him from when he was there,” said Krüger. “I’ve never played with him, but against him internationally. A great player. He has probably been one of the best players outside of the NHL for more than one season over time.”

“He is a fantastic player. It’s great to get such an incredibly talented player here,” said Axelsson.

“It’s good to get him in. He has won and still maintains high-class. It’s hard to get a better player for that money too. It looks really good on paper,” said Klasen. “We have played against each other and I know him a little. It will be fun to take care of the ‘fast boy’ when he gets here.”