Oscar Klefbom makes major announcement on his NHL future
Oilers defenceman Oscar Klefbom last played for the team four years ago, and now he's finally revealed his future in the NHL.
In a new Swedish interview, Klefbom confirmed that his hockey career is officially over at just 31 years old.
»It is as it is. I wasn't quite done with hockey as a sport. But now it's over."
The Edmonton Oilers selected Oscar Klefbom 19th overall in the 2011 Draft, but before he even came to North America, his career was stunted. He suffered a major shoulder injury in 2012, and despite getting corrective surgery, Klefbom has said that he was never the same. He played 378 games with the Oilers through significant pain much of the time.
For years, Klefbom had remained silent on his NHL future and the prospect of even returning to hockey. In the new interview, Klefbom revealed that he had asked the Oilers to keep his status under wraps because it was too difficult to accept his career was over. His story is truly heartbreaking, especially hearing the fact he couldn't bring himself to even watch Oilers games.
»It was a choice I made. I talked to Edmonton and said that I wanted to lay very low with what was going to happen and what the situation is. They were perfectly fine with that. From my side, it was also because I thought it was so difficult to talk about it.
I have barely watched a single Oilers game since I quit. It's been too hard. When I look, I just see myself there, see what I would do myself. It has been a struggle mentally."
I have barely watched a single Oilers game since I quit. It's been too hard. When I look, I just see myself there, see what I would do myself. It has been a struggle mentally."
Klefbom is now living back at home in Sweden, and is still dreaming of getting back into hockey - perhaps on the side of management.
Oilers fans are be heartbroken with Klefbom for his career being cut so short. He showed incredible promise of being a top four defenceman for the team long-term, and could've been a fantastic piece on their special roster nowadays. Fans will certainly wish the best for Klefbom in the next chapter of his life.
Source: Hockey Sverige
| POLL | ||
Do you think Klefbom would have been a top four defenceman on the current Oilers team? | ||
| Yes | 106 | 73.6 % |
| No | 32 | 22.2 % |
| See Results | 6 | 4.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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