Story Summary
Anders Broström has opened an all-time Frölunda selection series by naming his preferred six-man team from the club’s history. His line-up contains “Henke” in goal, Sami Salo and Ronnie Sundin on defence, and Jörgen Pettersson, Joel Lundqvist and Niklas Andersson up front.
Broström’s reserves are goaltender Benny Westblom, defenceman Lars-Erik Esbjörs and forward Ove Karlsson. The choices span different eras of Frölunda history and are underpinned by a mixture of Swedish championship success, lengthy service to the club and achievements elsewhere in the game.
The goalkeeper selection is described by Broström as requiring little explanation. “Henke” made his Frölunda senior-team debut in 2000, spent five seasons with the club and won Swedish championship gold in 2003 and 2005. Broström also pointed to a Vezina Trophy and almost 900 games as part of that record.
Salo’s inclusion reflects a particularly memorable 2004-05 spell, when he impressed during the NHL lockout and won a Swedish championship with Frölunda. Broström noted that Salo had already played six NHL seasons before joining the club, as well as representing Finland at the Olympics and World Championship level. He later completed 15 NHL seasons and nearly 900 games.
Sundin is Broström’s personal favourite among the selections. The defenceman played for Frölunda from 1992 until 2009, a 16-season stay in the shirt, and won two Swedish championships with the club. His wider honours include Olympic and World Championship gold, while he appeared at seven World Championships.
Key Facts
- Anders Broström selected “Henke” as the goaltender in his all-time Frölunda team, with Benny Westblom as reserve.
- “Henke” debuted for Frölunda’s senior team in 2000, played five seasons for the club and won Swedish championship gold in 2003 and 2005.
- Sami Salo and Ronnie Sundin were chosen as the starting defencemen, with Lars-Erik Esbjörs named as the reserve.
- Salo won a Swedish championship with Frölunda during the 2004-05 NHL lockout after six earlier NHL seasons; he went on to play 15 NHL seasons and nearly 900 games.
- Sundin played 16 seasons for Frölunda between 1992 and 2009 and won two Swedish championships with the club.
- Jörgen Pettersson, Joel Lundqvist and Niklas Andersson form Broström’s forward line, while Ove Karlsson is the reserve forward.
- Lundqvist captained Frölunda from 2009 to 2023, won four Swedish championships with the club and three World Championship gold medals.
- Andersson won Guldhjälmen and Guldpucken in 2002-03 and collected two Swedish championships with Frölunda.
- Pettersson had two Frölunda spells, from 1973 to 1980 and from 1986 to 1991; in his first NHL season, he scored 37 goals in 62 games.
IHM Discussion
Broström’s team is not simply a list of the most decorated players. It brings together players whose Frölunda cases are made in different ways: championship-winning seasons, extended commitment to the club and careers which reached far beyond Sweden.
The defence pairing illustrates that range clearly. Salo’s Frölunda contribution is concentrated around a high-level 2004-05 season, while Sundin’s case is built on durability as much as honours. Sixteen seasons with one club is a substantial body of work, and Broström places that alongside Sundin’s two Swedish titles and international gold medals.
The forward group also crosses generations. Pettersson’s two spells cover 12 seasons in Frölunda colours, and his 37-goal first NHL season is the individual scoring marker cited by Broström. Lundqvist represents a more recent leadership era through his 14 years as captain, while Andersson’s 2002-03 individual awards sit alongside his two Swedish championships.
Broström’s inclusion of three reserves at each position group adds further perspective. Westblom, Esbjörs and Karlsson are not presented as afterthoughts; they complete a selection intended to recognise Frölunda figures from across the club’s history rather than restrict the conversation to one championship generation.
Why It Matters
All-time selections inevitably involve personal judgement, but they are useful markers of what a club’s former players value. Broström’s choices place leadership, longevity and major-game pedigree alongside individual accolades.
For Frölunda, the list also links several distinct periods. Pettersson’s club career began in the 1970s, Sundin’s Frölunda run stretched from 1992 to 2009, and Lundqvist’s captaincy lasted from 2009 to 2023. The team therefore offers a compact view of the players who, in Broström’s view, left the strongest imprint over a long span of club history.
The selections are especially notable because the supporting evidence differs from player to player. Salo’s case is tied to a standout title-winning season; Lundqvist’s to captaincy and four Swedish championships; and Andersson’s to both silverware and the Guldhjälmen and Guldpucken awards. Broström’s list gives each of those forms of achievement a place.
Mini Q&A
Who did Anders Broström select in his Frölunda all-time team?
Broström chose “Henke” in goal; Sami Salo and Ronnie Sundin on defence; and Jörgen Pettersson, Joel Lundqvist and Niklas Andersson at forward.
Who are the reserves in Broström’s Frölunda selection?
Benny Westblom is the reserve goaltender, Lars-Erik Esbjörs the reserve defenceman and Ove Karlsson the reserve forward.
What is Joel Lundqvist’s Frölunda record in the selection?
Lundqvist captained Frölunda from 2009 to 2023 and won four Swedish championships with the club. His jersey is due to be raised to the Scandinavium rafters in the coming weeks.
What Comes Next
The next source-stated checkpoint is Joel Lundqvist’s jersey being raised to the Scandinavium rafters alongside his brother’s in the coming weeks. Broström described that recognition as well deserved after Lundqvist’s long captaincy and championship record with Frölunda.
IHM Final View
Broström’s starting six is a broad historical Frölunda portrait rather than a selection from a single era. The common thread is a record of significant achievement: domestic titles, long service, leadership roles, individual honours and major accomplishments beyond the club.