Aftonbladet Magazine
10/24/01
It's autumn in Foppaland. A colorful season in Örnsköldsvik, and Forsberg has missed out on it the last seven years. Next year he might miss it again. Avs wants Forsberg to prolong his contract a year since he himself has decided not to play his last year.
PF- Yes, i know this might happen. It happened to Yashin last year.
Af- All those who had hoped that Forsberg would play for MODO next season might have hoped in vain. Forsberg is in Yashins position now, but for other reasons.
PF- "Let's see what happens. I have always had good relations to the team and I couldn't imagine playing for another NHL club. And I might play another year or so in the NHL, but I will never sign the kind of long-term contracts that Yashin or Jagr has done. But first I have to get healthy." And that might be a long way away, just as long as from his new golf course outside Örnsköldsvik, to his other home in Denver. "I have to go over there soon and pick up some stuff, everything is like i left it." Although, Foppa seems to be feeling good about being home. His battered body is slowly healing up. He was still wounded when Av's training camp started this September. "I was hoping too much, but it just felt so damned exciting having the team coming to Sweden, and that I would be playing against DIF and Brynäs in front of my home audience in the Globe Arena. Unfortunately, I felt that my body was not up to it." "And then there were only two alternatives for me, continue like before and risk ruining myself or give the body a chance to heal. I have received some criticism for choosing the latter, especially in the US, but I can take that. I don't regret for one second the choice I made."
Af- What have you been doing with all your free time?
PF- Just taking it easy. I was in Spain for a month playing golf, other than that I have been at home.
Af- Now you have to answer this question that everyone wants to know: will you be playing in the Olympics?
PF- The Olympics is very special, but I won't hurry anything just to play in the games. The important thing is to be able to play hockey at all. And if I'm to play in the Olympics I have to play in Colorado before that. I can't just waltz in to the Olympics without having played any games. I'm sure everyone understands that.
Af- But just how far away is you playing hockey right now?
PF- I honestly don't know. I haven't even started to skate yet. I have to listen to the body firstly.
Af- It's not easy getting a straight answer out of you on this subject?
PF- I know, but since I don't know for sure myself, I can't give you that.
Af- But why didn't you just go over to Colorado and put yourself on Injured reserve? That way you would gotten your pay?
PF- Well, you have to earn your pay. And this has never been about money, I'm not the kind of guy who could just play for a season only to get my money.
Af- You have a high morale, compared to others?
PF- Well, I think that if you are paid as much as I am, then it's your duty to give it your best. Every game. The fans pay to see you play. You are obligated to give them all you can.
Af- You seem to have suffered from not being able to do that?
PF- Yes, I haven't played well the last two seasons. I have benefited from playing on a good team, if I had three assists people would talk about success. But mostly it has been the other players who have been good, not me. If I had played for a team that was not so good it would have shown more clearly.
Af- When was your best season?
PF- 98/99. Especially during the playoffs, up until we got eliminated by Dallas.
Af- Are you injury prone?
PF- I have had some bad luck, I think. Nothing I can put my finger on but there were some injuries that just weren't "normal". How many guys have to remove their spleen?
Af- But you have always played with a big heart, sometimes too big?
PF- That's because I want to win and hockey is so much fun. And if you win hockey is even more fun. I hate to lose, I always have. When I played in MODO, if we lost to Brynäs i was out of the arena before the audience. In the Av's there are plenty of guys who are just like that, Roy and Sakic for instance. They think like me. That's why it's so fun to play there and it's a main reason on why the team has been so successful.
Af- How much do you miss playing hockey right now?
PF- If I go and see MODO play, I want to be down on the ice of course. And I liked the life in NHL. The friends, I really miss that. That's why I want to come back.
Af- At least you don´t have to miss Örnsköldsvik now. Why are you so fond of your hometown?
PF- It's not just me. Markus Näslund has built a house here, the Sedins and Sundström, too. Maybe I´m the one who has talked the most about the town and that I would like to return and play for MODO sometime again. But I think they will all do that. And with those words Foppa closes the door to his office on the golf course, it´s five pm and time to go home. It's clear that even he himself doesn't know if and when he will return to his profession as a hockey artist that all the hockey fans' love. We can only hope it will be soon.
A day in Foppas life:
9-10am. Gets up, works out (cycling or weights)
1-2 pm. Lunch with friends.
2-5 pm. Works at the golf course.
6-7 pm. Dinner
7-11 pm. Quiet night home.
" Usually I take it easy, watching TV, no nights on the town. If MODO plays at home I go to the game."
