Axelsson
Long-time Boston Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson, who became an unrestricted free agent July 1, has decided to return home to play for the Frölunda Indians, according to that team’s Web site. Axelsson signed a four-year deal.
“Frölunda club is in my heart,” said Axelsson in a loosely translated quote on the team’s Web site. “I always wanted to come back here. Now (I’ll) fit (in) well and I look forward to see nice things again with the team.”
Axelsson will be tough for Boston to replace because of his penalty-killing, his hockey sense and willingness to sacrifice his body and his ego to fill any role. Along with Stephane Yelle, who will also not be re-signed, Axelsson aided the Bruins meteoric improvement while shorthanded last season.
In 797 career regular season games with Boston, Axelsson put up 103-184-287 totals. He was the longest tenured Bruins player, having entered the NHL in 1997. His departure leaves Tim Thomas as the Bruins player with the longest amount of uninterupted (other than the lockout) service time.
P J needs to come back as a scout!!! P J! good luck! Never forget your Short Handed Goals!
When players(especially the stars) sacrifice their ego it is the number one reason why teams win.
Re: Begin, yes, he was signed to replace Yelle and is a PK guy. Savard also worked on the PK last year, remember, and if Sobotka sticks, he’s another candidate.
What’s our PK going to look like this year? I liked Yelle & Axy together. Krejci & Wheeler are good together but we need them on “O”-ffense too. Bitz? What about Begin? Is he a PK guy?
The 4 games in 2002-2003 that TT played in Boston shouldn’t count when determining the longest tenured Bruin because he didn’t play with the Bruins again until 2005-2006. For all intents and purposes, Patrice Bergeron is the longest tenured Bruin having played with the team since 2003-2004.
best of luck to him, one of my favorite bruins ever
I’m a little surprised he went to Sweden, an article in the globe a week or so ago made it sound like he had NHL offers and that he was close to signing one.
Good guy, great penalty killer, and great leader. It was time to move on though. His speed was on the decline as was any offensive abilities he had left.
GOOD LUCK P.J!!!!!
Thought that would happen. All the best to PJ – my only regret for him is that he never won a Cup with the B’s.