AIK IF
Encyclopedia
Allmänna Idrottsklubben Ishockeyförening (abbreviated AIK IF, AIK Ishockey or AIK Hockey, often simply referred to as AIK) is the ice hockey
section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben
based in Stockholm
, Sweden
. Both of AIK's senior teams play professionally in Sweden's top-level leagues, with the men's team playing in Elitserien
and the women's team in Riksserien
.
In the team's year history, AIK has played 66 seasons in Sweden's top division, the Elitserien
. They have won the Le Mat Trophy
, as Elitserien champions seven times (in 1934, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1982, and 1984) and have been runners-up an additional six times (in 1930, 1936, 1940, 1968, 1978, and 1981).
AIK's home games are usually played at the Hovet arena
, but some of the more popular games (such as the local derby
games against their Stockholm rival, Djurgårdens IF
) may be played at the Ericsson Globe, which has a larger capacity of 13,850.
AIK participated in its first season in the Elitserien
in 1930–31. They finished in fifth place and qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to Södertälje SK
in the semifinal. The following season, AIK finished in top place in the league, but again lost in the semifinal to Södertälje. AIK knocked out their fierce rival, Djurgårdens IF
, en route to clinching their first championship in 1934. In the final, AIK met Hammarby IF
, defeating them by a score of 1–0.
Over the years, AIK would face Hammarby many times in championship battles. In 1935, AIK defended the trophy with another final win against Hammarby, this time with a score of 2–1. In 1936, Hammarby beat AIK when the teams both made it to the final. The first game ended 1–1, and in the second leg, Hammarby won 5–1. In 1938, AIK won their third championship with a 2–0 win in the final against Hammarby. In 1940, IK Göta would reach the final, instead of Hammarby, to meet AIK. AIK lost the final 1–4. It would four years until AIK returned to the final, with a chance to win the Le Mat Trophy
, in 1945. However, AIK lost in the final to Södertälje, but won the championship in the two following years.
After these successful years, AIK were relegated to Division I and eventually to Division II from 1954 to 1960. In 1960, AIK entered the highest division again, but it would be almost two decades until the team would make another final. During this period, their best result came in the 1965–66 season, when they reached the quarterfinal.
in the semifinals. In Gävle
, AIK lost 2–3, which put pressure on AIK's side in the second leg. 9,155 supporters at Hovet saw AIK crush Brynäs 8–0, necessitating a third game, located at a neutral arena, Scandinavium
. AIK won 3–2 and reached the final against Skellefteå AIK
, who had won both semifinal games against Modo Hockey
. In the final against AIK, Skellefteå won two of the three games and received the gold medals.
After two disappointing consecutive seasons, AIK's golden era began. The team finished in second place in 1980–81 Elitserien season and made it to the playoffs. Västra Frölunda IF
were their opponents in the semifinals, where AIK easily won 6–3 and 5–1. Skellefteå AIK
were seeking to again join AIK in the final. But Färjestads BK
won two of three games against them and instead Färjestad reached the final. Färjestad showed strength in the final games and won three out of four games and AIK became the second best team once again.
AIK finished in third place in the following season, eight points behind the winners Färjestad. AIK were faced against Färjestad in the semifinals. In Karlstad
, AIK won 5–4 and had a great opportunity to qualify for another final game. Home at Hovet, AIK pleased the supporters by a marginal 4–0 win. The second team to reach the final was IF Björklöven
, who were second placed in Elitserien. Four games were about to be played. AIK lost the first 0–2, but the following two games ended with AIK winning 3–2 and 4–3. The team now had a chance to win the championship at Hovet. Björklöven, though, took their last chance and won 4–2. The final fifth leg was played in Scandinavium, Gothenburg
. AIK won 3–2 and became the Swedish champions for the first time in over 30 years. The following season, Färjestad exacted their revenge in the semifinals by knocking out AIK with two wins to one.
But it wouldn’t take long for the team and their fans to celebrate once again. AIK won Elitserien in the 1983–84 season, ahead of Djurgården, Björklöven, and Södertälje. In the semifinals against Södertälje, AIK won the final two games 5–3 and 4–3. The other team to reach the final was Djurgården. A final between the two biggest rivals in the Swedish sports was set to begin. The first team to get three wins would be the champions. AIK won the first game 5–2 and continued on with a 2–0 win in the second leg. The final game ended 4–1 to AIK, who were thus subsequently number one again.
In 1993, AIK finished last and were relegated once again. AIK had to qualify in a playoff series (Allsvenskan) to stay in Elitserien. But AIK lost two games against Hammarby and were completely relegated to Division I.
AIK made it short in Division 1. The team won the Eastern Division and reached Allsvenskan. In the playoffs they finished on third place and qualified for another last playoff. Whilst there AIK knocked out Skellefteå and joined the final Kvalserien. AIK headed first placed Bodens IK in the last game and had to beat them by three goals to be promoted to Elitserien. In a remarkable and among the AIK supporters' historical game, AIK won against Boden 3–0. AIK’s goaltender Rolf Ridderwall
saved a penalty shot in the final minutes, which led AIK back to Elitserien.
AIK didn’t reach the playoffs in neither the 1994–95 nor 1995–96 season. However, the following season, they made it to the semifinals, after having knocked out Djurgården in the quarterfinals. Luleå HF
, though, won three games out of five in the semifinals.
In 1998, AIK once again had to qualify in order to keep playing in Elitserien. This time the team showed their qualities by winning the five entering games and kept their Elitserien spot. The two following seasons AIK missed the playoffs.
In the 2000–01 Elitserien season, AIK played in their most recent playoff series in that league. The team were knocked out by Djurgården in the quarterfinals after having won just one of five games. The following season AIK finished on eleventh place and played in Kvalserien. AIK didn’t finish among the promoted teams and were thus relegated to Allsvenskan.
AIK would spend the rest of the decade in divisions below Elitserien. In the team's two seasons in Allsvenskan before being relegated down to Division I, AIK made it to the Kvalserien both years but failed to qualify back to Elitserien both times.
Just before the beginning of the 2004–05 season, AIK were obligated to relegation to Division I due to economic difficulties. AIK finished first in their division the following season and had their chance to qualify to Allsvenskan. Because of the NHL lockout, AIK got strengthen with NHL
stars Mattias Norström
and Georges Laraque
. AIK won their Kvalserien and became promoted to Allsvenskan together with Nybro Vikings IF
, who finished second in the same Kvalserien.
was appointed, and NHL defenceman Dick Tärnström
and Elitserien players such as Christopher Heino-Lindberg
and Per Savilahti-Nagander, joined the club.
With a second place finish in HockeyAllsvenskan the following season, AIK qualified for the 2009 Kvalserien
, where they finished on third place, just three points up to second placed Rögle BK
. With another second placement the following season, AIK once again joined the Kvalserien
. With only one game left against Växjö Lakers Hockey
at Hovet, AIK were on the second and last Elitserien spot with only one point ahead of the third placed team Rögle BK
. AIK won the game 2–0 and returned to Elitserien after eight years.
AIK's first season in Elitserien in nine years
was a major success. The team were expected by many hockey experts to be forced to play in the Kvalserien
qualification for Elitserien, but the team managed to capture the 8th and last playoff spot and thus reached the playoffs. In the playoffs the team went on to beat regular season champions HV71 4–0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, AIK met Färjestads BK
, who finished second in the regular season. Färjestad knocked out AIK from the playoffs, beating AIK 4–0 in the semifinals.
(KHL). The agreement would have let AIK join the KHL in the 2010–11 season
. AIK organized a meeting with the club’s supporters where the members would make their decision through voting. However, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association
(SIHA) declined AIK’s request to join the KHL.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben
Allmänna Idrottsklubben
Allmänna Idrottsklubben , currently located in Solna, north of Stockholm, is one of the largest and one of the oldest sports clubs in Scandinavia. AIK was founded in 1891 in central Stockholm, at the downtown address of Biblioteksgatan 8...
based in Stockholm
Stockholm County
Stockholm County is a county or län on the Baltic sea coast of Sweden. It borders Uppsala County and Södermanland County. It also borders Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Stockholm County is divided by the historic provinces of Uppland and Södermanland...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Both of AIK's senior teams play professionally in Sweden's top-level leagues, with the men's team playing in Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
and the women's team in Riksserien
Riksserien
Riksserien is the elite league of women's ice hockey in Sweden. It was started in 2008, contains 8 teams and is organized by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.- Information :...
.
In the team's year history, AIK has played 66 seasons in Sweden's top division, the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
. They have won the Le Mat Trophy
Le Mat Trophy
The Le Mat is the championship trophy of Elitserien, the major professional ice hockey league in Sweden.The Le Mat is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in Sweden. The trophy was donated by the founding father of ice hockey in Sweden, Raoul Le Mat, and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
, as Elitserien champions seven times (in 1934, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1982, and 1984) and have been runners-up an additional six times (in 1930, 1936, 1940, 1968, 1978, and 1981).
AIK's home games are usually played at the Hovet arena
Hovet
Hovet , formerly known as Johanneshovs Isstadion, is an arena in Stockholm mainly used for ice hockey, concerts and corporate events. It was opened in 1955 as an outdoor arena. A roof was added in 1962, and the arena interior has also been a subject to major renovation in 2002. The arenas main...
, but some of the more popular games (such as the local derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
games against their Stockholm rival, Djurgårdens IF
Djurgårdens IF Hockey
Djurgårdens IF Hockey are a professional ice hockey team based in Stockholm, Sweden. They are the ice hockey department of the sports club Djurgårdens IF. The department was formed in 1922 with the help of Wilhelm Arwe and have since then become Sweden's most successful team, having won the Swedish...
) may be played at the Ericsson Globe, which has a larger capacity of 13,850.
Early years (1921–1977)
AIK's ice hockey section was formed in 1921 by Anton Johansson. The team's first competition was non-championship series, which they won. However, just two years later, in 1923, the section was shut down, only to be re-founded in 1925.AIK participated in its first season in the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
in 1930–31. They finished in fifth place and qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to Södertälje SK
Södertälje SK
Södertälje Sportklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club playing in HockeyAllsvenskan. Södertälje were charter members of Elitserien when the league was founded in 1975 and have since played 24 seasons in the league...
in the semifinal. The following season, AIK finished in top place in the league, but again lost in the semifinal to Södertälje. AIK knocked out their fierce rival, Djurgårdens IF
Djurgårdens IF Hockey
Djurgårdens IF Hockey are a professional ice hockey team based in Stockholm, Sweden. They are the ice hockey department of the sports club Djurgårdens IF. The department was formed in 1922 with the help of Wilhelm Arwe and have since then become Sweden's most successful team, having won the Swedish...
, en route to clinching their first championship in 1934. In the final, AIK met Hammarby IF
Hammarby IF Hockey
Hammarby IF Hockey was a professional ice hockey team from Stockholm, Sweden, and played at Hovet arena. The ice hockey association of Hammarby was founded in 1920...
, defeating them by a score of 1–0.
Over the years, AIK would face Hammarby many times in championship battles. In 1935, AIK defended the trophy with another final win against Hammarby, this time with a score of 2–1. In 1936, Hammarby beat AIK when the teams both made it to the final. The first game ended 1–1, and in the second leg, Hammarby won 5–1. In 1938, AIK won their third championship with a 2–0 win in the final against Hammarby. In 1940, IK Göta would reach the final, instead of Hammarby, to meet AIK. AIK lost the final 1–4. It would four years until AIK returned to the final, with a chance to win the Le Mat Trophy
Le Mat Trophy
The Le Mat is the championship trophy of Elitserien, the major professional ice hockey league in Sweden.The Le Mat is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in Sweden. The trophy was donated by the founding father of ice hockey in Sweden, Raoul Le Mat, and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
, in 1945. However, AIK lost in the final to Södertälje, but won the championship in the two following years.
After these successful years, AIK were relegated to Division I and eventually to Division II from 1954 to 1960. In 1960, AIK entered the highest division again, but it would be almost two decades until the team would make another final. During this period, their best result came in the 1965–66 season, when they reached the quarterfinal.
The golden era (1978–1984)
In 1978, AIK were put up against Brynäs IFBrynäs IF
Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:...
in the semifinals. In Gävle
Gävle
Gävle is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 71,033 inhabitants in 12/31 2010. It is the oldest city in the historical Norrland , having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria.-History:It is believed that the name Gävle...
, AIK lost 2–3, which put pressure on AIK's side in the second leg. 9,155 supporters at Hovet saw AIK crush Brynäs 8–0, necessitating a third game, located at a neutral arena, Scandinavium
Scandinavium
Scandinavium is the primary indoor sports and event arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. Construction on Scandinavium began in 1969 after decades of setbacks, the arena was built in time for the 350th year anniversary celebration of the City of Gothenburg and was inaugurated on May 18, 1971.Scandinavium...
. AIK won 3–2 and reached the final against Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK Hockey is a Swedish professional ice hockey club from Skellefteå, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.- History :...
, who had won both semifinal games against Modo Hockey
MODO Hockey
Modo Hockey is a professional ice hockey club in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The club plays in Sweden's premier ice hockey league, the Elitserien. They were founded in 1921 and have won two Elitserien championships; in 1979 and 2007. The team's home arena is the Fjällräven Center since 2006...
. In the final against AIK, Skellefteå won two of the three games and received the gold medals.
After two disappointing consecutive seasons, AIK's golden era began. The team finished in second place in 1980–81 Elitserien season and made it to the playoffs. Västra Frölunda IF
Frölunda HC
Frölunda Hockey Club, also known as the Frölunda Indians, are a Swedish professional ice hockey club based in Gothenburg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Elitserien, where they have played the majority of the seasons during its existence. The last time they played in the...
were their opponents in the semifinals, where AIK easily won 6–3 and 5–1. Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK Hockey is a Swedish professional ice hockey club from Skellefteå, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.- History :...
were seeking to again join AIK in the final. But Färjestads BK
Färjestads BK
Färjestads Bollklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey team based in Karlstad. Färjestad has had 18 Swedish Championship final appearances, winning nine times since Elitserien was started in 1975. The team plays in the highest Swedish league, and have done so since 1965...
won two of three games against them and instead Färjestad reached the final. Färjestad showed strength in the final games and won three out of four games and AIK became the second best team once again.
AIK finished in third place in the following season, eight points behind the winners Färjestad. AIK were faced against Färjestad in the semifinals. In Karlstad
Karlstad
Karlstad is a city, the seat of Karlstad Municipality, the capital of Värmland County, and the largest city in the province Värmland in Sweden. The city had 61,685 inhabitants in 2010 out of a municipal total that during the first quarter 2010 was 84,885 inhabitants...
, AIK won 5–4 and had a great opportunity to qualify for another final game. Home at Hovet, AIK pleased the supporters by a marginal 4–0 win. The second team to reach the final was IF Björklöven
IF Björklöven
IF Björklöven is a Swedish professional ice hockey club in Umeå, Västerbotten, in northern Sweden...
, who were second placed in Elitserien. Four games were about to be played. AIK lost the first 0–2, but the following two games ended with AIK winning 3–2 and 4–3. The team now had a chance to win the championship at Hovet. Björklöven, though, took their last chance and won 4–2. The final fifth leg was played in Scandinavium, Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
. AIK won 3–2 and became the Swedish champions for the first time in over 30 years. The following season, Färjestad exacted their revenge in the semifinals by knocking out AIK with two wins to one.
But it wouldn’t take long for the team and their fans to celebrate once again. AIK won Elitserien in the 1983–84 season, ahead of Djurgården, Björklöven, and Södertälje. In the semifinals against Södertälje, AIK won the final two games 5–3 and 4–3. The other team to reach the final was Djurgården. A final between the two biggest rivals in the Swedish sports was set to begin. The first team to get three wins would be the champions. AIK won the first game 5–2 and continued on with a 2–0 win in the second leg. The final game ended 4–1 to AIK, who were thus subsequently number one again.
Downfall (1985–2006)
The following season AIK didn’t make it to the playoffs and the following year they were relegated from Elitserien. But their Division I stay would just last for one season. In Elitserien, the playoffs now included quarter finals, where AIK in 1988 won against Djurgården. However, Färjestad knocked out AIK in the semifinals.In 1993, AIK finished last and were relegated once again. AIK had to qualify in a playoff series (Allsvenskan) to stay in Elitserien. But AIK lost two games against Hammarby and were completely relegated to Division I.
AIK made it short in Division 1. The team won the Eastern Division and reached Allsvenskan. In the playoffs they finished on third place and qualified for another last playoff. Whilst there AIK knocked out Skellefteå and joined the final Kvalserien. AIK headed first placed Bodens IK in the last game and had to beat them by three goals to be promoted to Elitserien. In a remarkable and among the AIK supporters' historical game, AIK won against Boden 3–0. AIK’s goaltender Rolf Ridderwall
Rolf Ridderwall
Rolf Lennart "Riddarn" Ridderwall is a retired Swedish ice hockey goaltender. He played for Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Elite League almost his entire career. Ridderwall won the Golden Puck as the top player in Sweden for the 1989-90 season.His son Stefan Ridderwall is also a hockey...
saved a penalty shot in the final minutes, which led AIK back to Elitserien.
AIK didn’t reach the playoffs in neither the 1994–95 nor 1995–96 season. However, the following season, they made it to the semifinals, after having knocked out Djurgården in the quarterfinals. Luleå HF
Luleå HF
Luleå Hockeyförening is an ice hockey club from Luleå, Sweden. Luleå is the most northern club in the league and has played in Elitserien constantly since the 1984-85 season. They have won the Swedish championships once, in 1996...
, though, won three games out of five in the semifinals.
In 1998, AIK once again had to qualify in order to keep playing in Elitserien. This time the team showed their qualities by winning the five entering games and kept their Elitserien spot. The two following seasons AIK missed the playoffs.
In the 2000–01 Elitserien season, AIK played in their most recent playoff series in that league. The team were knocked out by Djurgården in the quarterfinals after having won just one of five games. The following season AIK finished on eleventh place and played in Kvalserien. AIK didn’t finish among the promoted teams and were thus relegated to Allsvenskan.
AIK would spend the rest of the decade in divisions below Elitserien. In the team's two seasons in Allsvenskan before being relegated down to Division I, AIK made it to the Kvalserien both years but failed to qualify back to Elitserien both times.
Just before the beginning of the 2004–05 season, AIK were obligated to relegation to Division I due to economic difficulties. AIK finished first in their division the following season and had their chance to qualify to Allsvenskan. Because of the NHL lockout, AIK got strengthen with NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
stars Mattias Norström
Mattias Norström
Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK IF organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles...
and Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque
Georges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
. AIK won their Kvalserien and became promoted to Allsvenskan together with Nybro Vikings IF
Nybro Vikings IF
Nybro Vikings IF is an ice-hockey club from Nybro in Sweden. The team was playing in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan, for seven years from 2002 to 2009...
, who finished second in the same Kvalserien.
The return to Elitserien (2010)
AIK started a massive effort to return to Elitserien in the 2008–09 season, one of the reasons being financial problems. Former Tre Kronor head coach Roger MelinRoger Melin
Roger Melin is a former Swedish ice hockey player and current head coach of the Elitserien team AIK. Melin has also been the head coach of other Swedish ice hockey teams, including Brynäs IF, Linköpings HC, Färjestads BK, and Frölunda HC...
was appointed, and NHL defenceman Dick Tärnström
Dick Tärnström
Dick Tärnström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in AIK of the Elitserien.-Playing career:Tärnström started his professional career in AIK...
and Elitserien players such as Christopher Heino-Lindberg
Christopher Heino-Lindberg
Christopher Heino-Lindberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Nacka HK of the Swedish Division 1. In Elitserien, Heino-Lindberg has played in Färjestads BK and AIK....
and Per Savilahti-Nagander, joined the club.
With a second place finish in HockeyAllsvenskan the following season, AIK qualified for the 2009 Kvalserien
2009 Kvalserien
The 2009 Kvalserien was the 35th Kvalserien qualification for Elitserien, played between March 13 and April 9, 2009.The 2009 Kvalserien included six teams. In this year's Kvalserien, Södertälje and Rögle, who both came from Elitserien, qualified for the 2009–10 Elitserien season...
, where they finished on third place, just three points up to second placed Rögle BK
Rögle BK
Rögle Bandyklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club. They currently play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden. The team has previously played four seasons in Elitserien between 1992–93 and 1995–96 and between 2008–09 and 2009–10....
. With another second placement the following season, AIK once again joined the Kvalserien
2010 Kvalserien
The 2010 Kvalserien was the 36th Kvalserien, played between 21 March and 11 April 2010. Södertälje and AIK, who finished 1st and 2nd respectively, qualified for the 2010–11 Elitserien season. Rögle were relegated to HockeyAllsvenskan....
. With only one game left against Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey is an ice hockey club from Växjö in Sweden. They play their home games in the Vida Arena. The club makes their debut in the Elitserien , Sweden's top ice hockey league, in the 2011–12 season...
at Hovet, AIK were on the second and last Elitserien spot with only one point ahead of the third placed team Rögle BK
Rögle BK
Rögle Bandyklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey club. They currently play in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden. The team has previously played four seasons in Elitserien between 1992–93 and 1995–96 and between 2008–09 and 2009–10....
. AIK won the game 2–0 and returned to Elitserien after eight years.
AIK's first season in Elitserien in nine years
2010–11 AIK IF season
The 2010–11 Elitserien season was AIK's 26th season in the Elitserien ice hockey league. It was AIK's first season in Elitserien since the 2001–02 Elitserien season. The regular season started on September 15, 2010 at home against Linköpings HC and ended on March 5, 2010 at home against Modo...
was a major success. The team were expected by many hockey experts to be forced to play in the Kvalserien
Kvalserien
Kvalserien, also known as Kvalserien till Elitserien, is the name of the Swedish round-robin ice hockey tournament to qualify for play in the next season of Elitserien, Sweden's top-level ice hockey league for men.-Teams:...
qualification for Elitserien, but the team managed to capture the 8th and last playoff spot and thus reached the playoffs. In the playoffs the team went on to beat regular season champions HV71 4–0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, AIK met Färjestads BK
Färjestads BK
Färjestads Bollklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey team based in Karlstad. Färjestad has had 18 Swedish Championship final appearances, winning nine times since Elitserien was started in 1975. The team plays in the highest Swedish league, and have done so since 1965...
, who finished second in the regular season. Färjestad knocked out AIK from the playoffs, beating AIK 4–0 in the semifinals.
KHL invitation (2009)
In November 2009, AIK were invited to join the Kontinental Hockey LeagueKontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). The agreement would have let AIK join the KHL in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 KHL season
The 2010–11 KHL season is the third season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It was held from 8 September 2010 and ended on 16 April 2011.The season started with the Opening Cup game between the last season's finalists, Ak Bars Kazan and the new team that was created by merging last season's...
. AIK organized a meeting with the club’s supporters where the members would make their decision through voting. However, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association
Swedish Ice Hockey Association
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association or Svenska Ishockeyförbundet in Swedish, is an association of Swedish sports clubs with ice hockey activities....
(SIHA) declined AIK’s request to join the KHL.
Retired numbers
- 1 Leif "Honken" HolmqvistLeif HolmqvistLeif Erik "Honken" Holmqvist is a retired Swedish ice hockey goaltender. He is one of only three players to win the Golden Puck award twice, which he did while playing for AIK....
- 5 Bert-Ola NordlanderBert-Ola NordlanderBert-Olov Nordlander is a retired Swedish ice hockey player and head coach. During his career he played for Wifsta/Östrand IF and AIK. In 1967 he was awarded the Golden Puck as the best player of the season. Nordlander began his coaching career in 1976 when he signed on for Hammarby IF. In 1979 he...
- 11 Peter Gradin
External links
- AIK Hockey - official site
- Black Army - official supporter club's site
- Smokinglirarna - supporter site
- Golden Fanatics Stockholm - supporter site
- Golden Hill - supporter forum