The history of Elitserien

Elitserien all started on the 5th of October 1975. The first year hosted 36 rounds and 180 games. The games were physical, even, well-played and drew large crowds to the arenas. For over 30 years there have been plenty of highlights to look back on. And plenty of games have been played since that first ever round back in October 1975.

27588 spectators watched the five games that were played in the historical first round, which makes an average of 5516/game. The Stockholm derby between capital rivals Djurgården and AIK drew the biggest crowd, 8713 spectators at "Hovet". Djurgården won the game 7-4 and man-of-the-match was a 19-year old young super talent - Kenta Nilsson who scored three goals and assisted to another one.

The first ever goal in the history of Elitserien was scored after 2.31 by Benny Andersson of Färjestad when he put his team 1-0 up at home against MODO, assisted by Harald Lückner. However MODO won the game 8-7, much due to excellent play by youngsters Thomas Gradin, 19, and Bosse Berglund, 20. Between them they produced four goals and five assists.

The Swedish Champions for the last three seasons, Leksand, defeated Brynäs at home with 3-1. Brynäs took the lead 1-0 by Lars Öberg after 19.50 in the first period and were close to a second goal in the beginning of the second period when the lights suddenly went out in the arena and the game was disrupted. When, after a short while, the game started again Leksand came out as a totally new team and managed to turn the game and finally win after goals from Kjell Brus, Per Karlsson and Dan Labraaten.

Up north played Skellefteå AIK at home against Timrå and drew 5-5 and down in Gothenburg, Västra Frölunda led by Canadians Morris and Darwin Mott beat Södertälje 5-3.

Brynäs dominated
Brynäs dominated Elitserien strongly during its first years. The club became Swedish Champions both 1976 and 1977, without losing a single playoff game. In 1978, Brynäs won the regular season for the third consecutive time. All of these seasons Brynäs managed to get 50 points or more per season.

In the 1975/1976 season Brynäs scored 228 goals in 36 games and in the 1976/1977 they scored 206 goals in 36 games. Both these records are still unmatched in the history of Elitserien.

No less than 13 times during the season Brynäs scored eight or more goals in a game, The 19th of October 1975 Brynäs hammered Färjestad at home in Gavlerinken with 14-1 (3-0, 3-1, 8-0). Lars-Erik Ericsson scored six goals in that game which of course was a record.

The line with Lars-Erik Ericsson, Jan "Lill-Janne" Ericsson and Tord Lundström together produced 7 goals and 7 assist, in total 14 points. Within three days of January 1976 (27th - 29th) Brynäs crushed the league leaders Leksand in two straight gamed with 10-5 and 10-1, a total of 20-6. During these years Brynäs had a complete and incredibly strong team all the way from goalkeeper to substitutes. These players were part of the roster:

William "Wille" Löfqvist, Stig Salming, Stig Östling, Stefan Persson, Jan-Olof "Jos" Svensson, Jan-Erik Silfverberg, Tord Lundström, Jan Eriksson, Lars-Erik Ericsson, Stefan Canderyd, Lars-Göran Nilsson, Martin Karlsson, Lars-Gunnar "Krobbe" Lundberg, Lars Öberg, Lars-Göran "Jajjen" Gerdin and Conny Silfverberg.

In addition the club also had skillful coaches and leaders in Tommy Sandlin, Henry Jansson, Lennart Jansson, Bosse Hessel and Tage Malmberg. 1979 was the first time in 18 years that Brynäs missed the playoffs. But the team were back on track in 1980 and became Swedish Champions.

To be continued...