In the last few years, Lulea Hockey have shown a knack for coming up big in European competition, with their biggest accomplishment so far being their 2015 Champions Hockey League title. 

by Efraim Larsson

In 1977 the hockey departments of IFK Lulea and Lulea Sportklubb decided to split off their teams to found a new hockey club – GroKo Hockey. Since 1979 they have been called Lulea Hockey.

Swedish history

After five years as a club, Lulea managed to take the step up to the top of Swedish hockey, the Elitserien (known as the Swedish Hockey League since 2013), where they played their first season in 1984–85. Since then they have played in the SHL and they are, together with Brynas Gavle and Farjestad Karlstad, the only teams that haven’t been relegated from the highest league after promoting up.

Lulea made the finals for the first time in 1993 after beating Farjestad in the quarter-finals and Djurgarden Stockholm in the semi-finals. Facing Brynas in the finals they managed to take a 2–0 lead in games, but couldn’t capitalize and instead they lost three straight games to give Brynas the championship title.

Just three seasons later they would have their second go at the Le Mat Trophy after beating Malmo IF in the quarters and Farjestad in the semis, leading up to a famous final series against Frolunda Gothenburg. With stars like goalie Jarmo Myllys, defencemen Roger Akerstrom and Mattias Ohlund topped with forwards Stefan “Skuggan” Nilsson, Tomas Berglund and Tomas Holmstrom, Lulea were able to grab their first and so far only Swedish championship in a thrilling and penalty-rich series – a series that’s often mentioned as one of the best series in Swedish hockey history.

Since 1996, Lulea have played in two finals – 1997 against Farjestad and 2013 against Skelleftea AIK – both of which ended in defeat.

European history

Lulea were a part of the European Trophy for three seasons (2011–12 to 2013–14) and got some great results. In 2011–12 they were beaten by Jokerit Helsinki in the semi-finals and were forced to play in the bronze medal game, where they beat Linkoping HC 3–2 in overtime to take third place.

The following season, they improved on that by winning the whole tournament, beating Farjestad in the gold medal game. For the 2013–14 tournament the playoff stage was rearranged a little bit, where two groups of three produced the two finalists. In the end, Lulea missed the final by one point after losing to JYP Jyvaskyla in game-winning shots.

After three great years for Lulea, the European Trophy became the Champions Hockey League. Their success continued, as they made it all the way to the Final, which was played on their home ice, and overcame a 2–0 deficit after two periods to beat Frolunda Gothenburg in the title game. 

Home of the northern bears

Lulea play their home games in Coop Norrbotten Arena, an arena that can 6,300 spectators. The arena opened in 1970 as Delfinen (the Dolphin), but changed its name to Coop Arena following a restoration in 2002. Even though its full name since 2010 has been Coop Norrbotten Arena, it’s more often called Coop Arena or Delfinen.

Team facts

CHL seasons

2015–16: 1st in Group K, Quarter-Finals
2014–15: 2nd in Group K, CHAMPIONS

Click here for current information about the club.

NOTE: This article has been updated since its original publication.