Story Summary
John Klingberg has offered a vivid reminder of what the Skellefteå-Björklöven rivalry means in Swedish hockey. The defenceman spent brief spells with Skellefteå during the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, and says the scale of animosity between the clubs is difficult to appreciate from outside the area.
Klingberg recalled the atmosphere building before the previous round, with supporters of both teams raising the temperature. For him, that edge is part of the appeal. He described it as a rivalry Swedish hockey needs and said it is genuinely entertaining.
His sharpest memory comes from Skellefteå’s 2013 Swedish championship triumph. After a first night of celebrations, Klingberg returned home to find the words “Hate Löven” displayed across the outside of his apartment door. There was no congratulatory message for the title-winning team; the focus was entirely on Björklöven. Klingberg said he found the episode fantastic.
Key Facts
- John Klingberg played for Skellefteå during the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons.
- Klingberg was part of Skellefteå’s Swedish championship-winning team in 2013.
- Klingberg said he does not think people across Swedish hockey fully understand how much Skellefteå and Björklöven dislike each other.
- He said supporters of both clubs had begun building the atmosphere before the previous round.
- After Skellefteå’s 2013 title celebrations, Klingberg found “Hate Löven” displayed across the outside of his apartment door.
IHM Discussion
This is not a rivalry being presented as a marketing line or a convenient talking point. Klingberg’s memory shows how deeply the Skellefteå-Björklöven divide can run: even a championship celebration was framed through the local contest. The message on his door was not about the medal he had just won, but about the opponent supporters most wanted to provoke.
That history helps explain why the anticipation around meetings can gather well before puck drop. Klingberg’s view is that the hostility and theatre are valuable rather than something to be smoothed away, provided they remain part of the sporting occasion.
Why It Matters
Rivalries give fixtures an identity beyond the standings. For Skellefteå and Björklöven, the connection described by Klingberg links present-day supporter energy with a memory that reaches back to his title-winning season. It also underlines why these meetings can attract attention before any on-ice detail has emerged: the clubs carry a long-established emotional charge.
Mini Q&A
What did John Klingberg say about the Skellefteå-Björklöven rivalry?
Klingberg said people elsewhere in Swedish hockey may not understand how strongly the two clubs dislike each other, and he welcomed the atmosphere it creates.
What happened after Skellefteå won the 2013 Swedish championship?
Klingberg said he returned to his apartment after the first night of celebrations to find “Hate Löven” displayed across the outside of his door.