In Memory of Pelle Lindbergh

Outside of Stockholm, about 15 minutes by subway, lies the UNESCO heritage site of Skogskyrkogården (the woodland cemetery). It is an amazing work of architecture as well as landscaping and the final resting place of some of Sweden's most famous sons and daughters. One such person is Pelle Lindbergh, who's grave in a quiet corner is not unlike the thousands of others - anonymous and unknown to most people that visit the cemetery. Only the Flyers symbol and engraved "#31" tell the tale of one of the greatest goalies Sweden has ever produced and one of the greatest the NHL has ever seen. Someone who's life was tragically ended at just 26.

He is remembered by many. Occasionally small items are left as tokens of appreciation from fans both local and far away (such as the puck in the picture.) The guest book in the information center bares an unusually high number of addresses from the Philadelphia area. It's an emotional thing to see, and one can never quite escape the thought of "what could have been" as a Flyers fan. At the same time one reflects on what was: a bronze medal winner at Lake Placid in 1980, a Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time All Star and the highest vote getter in 1986 posthumously, and loved in a city far from his home...

My brother, who was visiting from the States, and I were there last week. It's close to where I live, but when you stand there and see the name "Pelle Lindbergh" you are far away, 22 years back in time. We were kids on a bus going to elementary school where we heard the news report that shook the foundations of Philadelphia sports and made anyone at that age destined to love the sport of hockey and the Flyers for the rest of their lives. And there you stand for a few minutes and remember, and then you go...

There is an excellent website about Pelle Lindbergh in both Swedish and English that can be found at PelleLindbergh.se. It contains a great deal that cannot be found anywhere else including videos and interviews.