Kuriren article (in swedish)
I'll make a translation later. It is a long article with questions around Renberg's career, Luleå Hockey, the Obol scandal and his life after icehockey.
Translation (errors and omissions are my fault):
Renberg: Hockey has been everything in my life
April 22, 2008 it was announced. Mikael Renberg, one of Norrbotten's best hockeyplayers alltime had decided to end his career. He announced it to selected media and the went on a long holiday. Last Wednesday (June 11) Norrbottens-Kuriren got to meet Mikael Renberg. An interview about his career, Luleå Hockey, Obol (Investment) and whom he remembers the most during his time as an icehockey player.
It has never been easy to get hold of Mikael Renberg, apart from catching him after practice or a game in the lockerroom.
After he had told two papers about his retirement he then went on holiday to Spain and turned off his cellphone. After that NK has tried to reach him for a comment, an interview and a summary of his career.
When we finally get to meet him you understand how hard a time it has been for him.
-I've been on four trips since April. Almost a bit too much. But fun as well, I enjoy travelling and will keep on doing it as I now have a lot of spare time, a bronzed Renberg tells. He has just returned from a trip to Turkey. We meet at the trotting racetrack in Boden.
Great season in Skellefteå
Renberg himself owns trotters, but not any starting at the moment. -We'll see what will happen with that, but at least I own two horses. Trotters is a great hobby for me, he says.
He makes frequent visits to Höglandsnäs where the horses are kept in shape by trainer Lars Marklund. Mikael Renberg has also tried driving himself. He finds it exhilarating, sometimes a bit too much. -I've been scared a couple of times, they are strong animals.
Mikael Renberg, 36, retired icehockey player since a couple of months.
The decision came after a season where he was one of Skellefteå AIK's key players and the team finally made the playoffs for the first time in many years.
-I'm pleased. When I signed for Skellefteå the goal was to make the playoffs. We did. But it was just like in Luleå, barely and we had to work really hard just to get there. There isn't much gas left in the tank when you get there and have to face a team that has clinched their top spot three months ago. HV was just too much better a team. Maybe if we had won that second game, we could have been more of a threat to them.
Motivation has been there
But when the season was over, the thoughts were back. The thoughts of the last couple of years, that were harder to ignore. Especially for a winner like Renberg.
-I thought about retiring already two years ago and last season I was also insecure about what to do. Since I've turned 30 it feels that you are getting worse season by season. Finally you have to realize it is time to quit, you can't last forever.
He tells that motivation and stamina hasn't been a problem. Sure all the boring summer months running in the track and sweaty weight lifting in the gym isn't as appealing to someone that is 30 . But when the regular season starts, he has always been motivated.
-I don't want to get worse and worse. I think I had a good season, but I certainly feel that I'm not the player I was six years ago. Some can manage more years and I respect them, some leave fairly early. I'm somewhere inbetween, 36 is just about right. I'm also interested in doing something completely different. While other 36 year olds have been struggling with their university studies and grades and changing jobs a couple of times, Renberg's reality is somewhat different.
"I'm almost ashamed (of myself)"
-Icehockey has been my life. I've done nothing else. I had a summer job when I was 16-17 and filling up boats on a boat gas station. That's all I have done, I'm almost ashamed to say, but that's the way it is.
Have you ever thought: Shit, I have only been chasing that puck all my life?
-A bit. Especially now when you are 30 something. You can see the end of your career and are looking forward to doing something else.
- There has been a lot written and talked about a comeback, but I don't feel like that nowadays. I am certain that this is the end, but you should never say never, we'll see if the urge comes back. But at the moment the decision is final.
This autumn Renberg will move from the sweaty lockeroom back to school. He will read up on natural sciences and history, and then take the University Aptitude Test.
-Maybe a media job, nothing has been decided yet and I'll make tries. Studies comes first, the rest as it fits in. But I feel motivated studying.
If you look at Renberg' career there are a couple of highlights. Gold in both the World Championships and Junior European Championships,
participation in Olympic tournaments, Swedish Championship finals and of course the National Hockey League and it's playoffs. Renberg has also been awarded the Golden Puck (best player in Elitserien and Tre Kronor) for the 2000/2001 season where he scored 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 48 regular season games.
Lindros - the best
But he will not judge his own career. -That is up to others. I've had fun and get to experience a lot of stuff. What I reminesce it is not the winning or losing, it is all the people I've played with. People you have met and some that leaves an impression. Episodes that flash back to you.
Who is the best you have played with?
-Eric Lindros is the best player I've played with and at the peak of our careers. But he is probably not the one I will remember the most, that will be someone else. There were a lot of strong characters that I will remember. I can make a long list, but I will probably forget someone... But Thomas "Bulan" Berglund I will always remember. I only played with Calle Johansson for a short period, but he is one of the nicest guys around. Micke Andersson in Tampa was also a super guy.
Is there something you rather forget.
-Not forget, I think all experiences, good and bad, are important. That's life, it goes up and down. There hardships and happy times. Fun stuff and sad stuff, everything builds character. I regret nothing and there is nothing I would have undone.
Believes in Johan Harju
-Of course, I would have enjoyed winning those finals that was lost. But that is as it is. I've at least won something, like the World Championships and JEC.
Who will become the next Norrbotten export to the NHL (discounting the latest signee Daniel Larsson who signed with Detroit)?
-I'm not up to speed there. It will be awhile. Maybe if Johan Harju keeps on improving, he can make it. It is a big step and I think that you have to be a solid international (Tre Kronor) player before you try. That is my opinion.
-But if he keeps on improving, he will play there (in the NHL). He is a great player and a smart guy. He knows what it takes and he works hard, that speaks for him.
Noone has been able to avoid the turbulence of last year's row between Mikael Renberg and Luleå Hockey. The reason: Renberg's pension funds where handled by fraudulent Obol Investment and Renberg's view is that Luleå Hockey is responsible. Luleå Hockey on the other hand sees it the other way around.
Disregarding all this, Mikael Renberg is relieved that his old club is still in Elitserien next season.
-Even if I represented another club, it felt great when they finally secured their contract. I also think that most people in Skellefteå feels the same. The games between the clubs means a lot to both clubs, not least financially. Now Luleå has to learn from what has gone wrong. You must not end up in the same situation once more.
Organization is important
Renberg keeps on talking about organization and that you must learn from what has happened. -Sometimes you are just relieved, it's cool, we made it. It is not, you have to improve. This goes for Skellefteå as well. To survive in icehockey up here you have to have 100 percent commitment, good organizations and run the clubs like companies and not like it were done 10-20 years ago.
Recently it was announced that Lars "Osten" Bergström will replace Hans Huczkowski as Director of Player Personnel. Something that Renberg approves of. -I have no comments regarding Hans Huczkowski at all, but I feel that "Osten" is a strong personality with strong and clear visions of what he wants to do. He is an authority who strongly believes in his views and stands up for them.
How is your relationship with Luleå Hockey today
-We have no relationship, it is neither bad nor good, there isn't any. Neither they nor I feel bad about it. It is as it is.
What is happening regarding you pension funds?
-I haven't got a clue. I transferred the issue to Per Liljeqvist and Martin at FMG and I've asked them to solve it. I'm happy not to be involved in it. For me that chapter is closed. It is possible that I could be involved in a legal process later, but I'm not sure. As it is, I've left it behind me.
"Money lost"
Mikael Renberg is also one of the persons surrounding Bo Johansson, the man behind Obol Investment. Renberg has been named as a good friend of Johansson. -You have been seen together and then everyone assumes that you are friends. I got to know Bosse a bit earlier for a few years, but then I returned to Toronto and have only talked to him a couple of times after that, maybe once in five years. I have no personal relationship with him. I've seen him on TV and he looked worn and tired, it is long, long time since I've talked to him.
Do you feel let down?
-Let down? He has lost a lot of money owned by clubs and people. Of course they have handled it badly, but to me it is quite unimportant. The money was lost and clubs and people became poorer. Who sits on the money or where they are hidden, that is not interesting to me, to me they are just gone.
The lockerroom - will you miss it?
-Yes, I probably will. I don't know how it works in other professions, but I guess it is hard to find that kind of experience. Just sitting there bs-ing after a game or practice. The level is not always that mature, sometimes very childish. Maybe I will not miss that. Seasoned veterans, family guys sitting there saying ... Haha ...
We say goodbye to Renberg, who goes to his car to return home to Piteå. Bronzed, happy, in harmony. On his way to new goals in the career after his career. Maybe even more important.
I'll make a translation later. It is a long article with questions around Renberg's career, Luleå Hockey, the Obol scandal and his life after icehockey.
Translation (errors and omissions are my fault):
Renberg: Hockey has been everything in my life
April 22, 2008 it was announced. Mikael Renberg, one of Norrbotten's best hockeyplayers alltime had decided to end his career. He announced it to selected media and the went on a long holiday. Last Wednesday (June 11) Norrbottens-Kuriren got to meet Mikael Renberg. An interview about his career, Luleå Hockey, Obol (Investment) and whom he remembers the most during his time as an icehockey player.
It has never been easy to get hold of Mikael Renberg, apart from catching him after practice or a game in the lockerroom.
After he had told two papers about his retirement he then went on holiday to Spain and turned off his cellphone. After that NK has tried to reach him for a comment, an interview and a summary of his career.
When we finally get to meet him you understand how hard a time it has been for him.
-I've been on four trips since April. Almost a bit too much. But fun as well, I enjoy travelling and will keep on doing it as I now have a lot of spare time, a bronzed Renberg tells. He has just returned from a trip to Turkey. We meet at the trotting racetrack in Boden.
Great season in Skellefteå
Renberg himself owns trotters, but not any starting at the moment. -We'll see what will happen with that, but at least I own two horses. Trotters is a great hobby for me, he says.
He makes frequent visits to Höglandsnäs where the horses are kept in shape by trainer Lars Marklund. Mikael Renberg has also tried driving himself. He finds it exhilarating, sometimes a bit too much. -I've been scared a couple of times, they are strong animals.
Mikael Renberg, 36, retired icehockey player since a couple of months.
The decision came after a season where he was one of Skellefteå AIK's key players and the team finally made the playoffs for the first time in many years.
-I'm pleased. When I signed for Skellefteå the goal was to make the playoffs. We did. But it was just like in Luleå, barely and we had to work really hard just to get there. There isn't much gas left in the tank when you get there and have to face a team that has clinched their top spot three months ago. HV was just too much better a team. Maybe if we had won that second game, we could have been more of a threat to them.
Motivation has been there
But when the season was over, the thoughts were back. The thoughts of the last couple of years, that were harder to ignore. Especially for a winner like Renberg.
-I thought about retiring already two years ago and last season I was also insecure about what to do. Since I've turned 30 it feels that you are getting worse season by season. Finally you have to realize it is time to quit, you can't last forever.
He tells that motivation and stamina hasn't been a problem. Sure all the boring summer months running in the track and sweaty weight lifting in the gym isn't as appealing to someone that is 30 . But when the regular season starts, he has always been motivated.
-I don't want to get worse and worse. I think I had a good season, but I certainly feel that I'm not the player I was six years ago. Some can manage more years and I respect them, some leave fairly early. I'm somewhere inbetween, 36 is just about right. I'm also interested in doing something completely different. While other 36 year olds have been struggling with their university studies and grades and changing jobs a couple of times, Renberg's reality is somewhat different.
"I'm almost ashamed (of myself)"
-Icehockey has been my life. I've done nothing else. I had a summer job when I was 16-17 and filling up boats on a boat gas station. That's all I have done, I'm almost ashamed to say, but that's the way it is.
Have you ever thought: Shit, I have only been chasing that puck all my life?
-A bit. Especially now when you are 30 something. You can see the end of your career and are looking forward to doing something else.
- There has been a lot written and talked about a comeback, but I don't feel like that nowadays. I am certain that this is the end, but you should never say never, we'll see if the urge comes back. But at the moment the decision is final.
This autumn Renberg will move from the sweaty lockeroom back to school. He will read up on natural sciences and history, and then take the University Aptitude Test.
-Maybe a media job, nothing has been decided yet and I'll make tries. Studies comes first, the rest as it fits in. But I feel motivated studying.
If you look at Renberg' career there are a couple of highlights. Gold in both the World Championships and Junior European Championships,
participation in Olympic tournaments, Swedish Championship finals and of course the National Hockey League and it's playoffs. Renberg has also been awarded the Golden Puck (best player in Elitserien and Tre Kronor) for the 2000/2001 season where he scored 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 48 regular season games.
Lindros - the best
But he will not judge his own career. -That is up to others. I've had fun and get to experience a lot of stuff. What I reminesce it is not the winning or losing, it is all the people I've played with. People you have met and some that leaves an impression. Episodes that flash back to you.
Who is the best you have played with?
-Eric Lindros is the best player I've played with and at the peak of our careers. But he is probably not the one I will remember the most, that will be someone else. There were a lot of strong characters that I will remember. I can make a long list, but I will probably forget someone... But Thomas "Bulan" Berglund I will always remember. I only played with Calle Johansson for a short period, but he is one of the nicest guys around. Micke Andersson in Tampa was also a super guy.
Is there something you rather forget.
-Not forget, I think all experiences, good and bad, are important. That's life, it goes up and down. There hardships and happy times. Fun stuff and sad stuff, everything builds character. I regret nothing and there is nothing I would have undone.
Believes in Johan Harju
-Of course, I would have enjoyed winning those finals that was lost. But that is as it is. I've at least won something, like the World Championships and JEC.
Who will become the next Norrbotten export to the NHL (discounting the latest signee Daniel Larsson who signed with Detroit)?
-I'm not up to speed there. It will be awhile. Maybe if Johan Harju keeps on improving, he can make it. It is a big step and I think that you have to be a solid international (Tre Kronor) player before you try. That is my opinion.
-But if he keeps on improving, he will play there (in the NHL). He is a great player and a smart guy. He knows what it takes and he works hard, that speaks for him.
Noone has been able to avoid the turbulence of last year's row between Mikael Renberg and Luleå Hockey. The reason: Renberg's pension funds where handled by fraudulent Obol Investment and Renberg's view is that Luleå Hockey is responsible. Luleå Hockey on the other hand sees it the other way around.
Disregarding all this, Mikael Renberg is relieved that his old club is still in Elitserien next season.
-Even if I represented another club, it felt great when they finally secured their contract. I also think that most people in Skellefteå feels the same. The games between the clubs means a lot to both clubs, not least financially. Now Luleå has to learn from what has gone wrong. You must not end up in the same situation once more.
Organization is important
Renberg keeps on talking about organization and that you must learn from what has happened. -Sometimes you are just relieved, it's cool, we made it. It is not, you have to improve. This goes for Skellefteå as well. To survive in icehockey up here you have to have 100 percent commitment, good organizations and run the clubs like companies and not like it were done 10-20 years ago.
Recently it was announced that Lars "Osten" Bergström will replace Hans Huczkowski as Director of Player Personnel. Something that Renberg approves of. -I have no comments regarding Hans Huczkowski at all, but I feel that "Osten" is a strong personality with strong and clear visions of what he wants to do. He is an authority who strongly believes in his views and stands up for them.
How is your relationship with Luleå Hockey today
-We have no relationship, it is neither bad nor good, there isn't any. Neither they nor I feel bad about it. It is as it is.
What is happening regarding you pension funds?
-I haven't got a clue. I transferred the issue to Per Liljeqvist and Martin at FMG and I've asked them to solve it. I'm happy not to be involved in it. For me that chapter is closed. It is possible that I could be involved in a legal process later, but I'm not sure. As it is, I've left it behind me.
"Money lost"
Mikael Renberg is also one of the persons surrounding Bo Johansson, the man behind Obol Investment. Renberg has been named as a good friend of Johansson. -You have been seen together and then everyone assumes that you are friends. I got to know Bosse a bit earlier for a few years, but then I returned to Toronto and have only talked to him a couple of times after that, maybe once in five years. I have no personal relationship with him. I've seen him on TV and he looked worn and tired, it is long, long time since I've talked to him.
Do you feel let down?
-Let down? He has lost a lot of money owned by clubs and people. Of course they have handled it badly, but to me it is quite unimportant. The money was lost and clubs and people became poorer. Who sits on the money or where they are hidden, that is not interesting to me, to me they are just gone.
The lockerroom - will you miss it?
-Yes, I probably will. I don't know how it works in other professions, but I guess it is hard to find that kind of experience. Just sitting there bs-ing after a game or practice. The level is not always that mature, sometimes very childish. Maybe I will not miss that. Seasoned veterans, family guys sitting there saying ... Haha ...
We say goodbye to Renberg, who goes to his car to return home to Piteå. Bronzed, happy, in harmony. On his way to new goals in the career after his career. Maybe even more important.
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