The Calgary Flames announced that they have hired Flames alumni Hakan Loob as a pro European Scout for the club.
He’s back! Well, sort of. The Calgary Flames have announced that they’ve brought Hakan Loob as a pro European scout. Loob spent six seasons in the NHL, all with the Flames, his last being the Cup winning year in 1989. His last goal came in the playoffs that year in game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens – where the Flames won the Cup. He assisted on Lanny McDonald‘s final goal.
He was drafted in 1980 in the ninth round – standing as the second last draftee from the Flames first year in Calgary.
Loob still stands as the only Swede to score at least 50 goals in a season when he did so in 1987-88. For the past two decades, Loob has been within the Farjestad BK organization of the SHL – a team he played for during his playing days.
He became their General Manager in 1996 and held that role until 2008 when he became the President. In the last few seasons, he was acting as President of Hockey Operations.
Loob played in 450 games for the Flames where he scored 193 goals and 429 points. The Flames are looking to add more presence in Europe with more highly touted draftees coming from there.
Via Calgary Flames:
"“We want to grow our presence in Europe,” said Flames General Manager Brad Treliving. “It’s an area we want to expand. Hakan has a great eye for talent, he’s familiar with Europe and he’s a worker. This isn’t just because Hakan was a great Flame. He’s so well connected over there. Hakan Loob walks into a room and he’s well known and well respected.”"
Loob is still seen as one of the best Swedish players of all time.
With a Stanley Cup under his belt, a World Championship gold medal, and an Olympic gold medal, he’s just one of 28 players part of the Triple Gold Club. And only one of nine Swedes. Loob along with Mats Naslund and Tomas Jonsson became the very first members of the Triple Gold Club in 1994 when Sweden won the Gold Medal and the Olympic Games.
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Welcome back, Loooooooooob!