Three Kronors national team captain Johan Garpenlöv got off to a heavy start on the national team tournament week in Stockholm. His mother Eva passed away on Tuesday.
- We were all there and it was a worthy end. It's hard to concentrate on hockey, but my life has been hockey and she's been a big part of it and I know she wanted me to move on, says Garpenlöv after Wednesday's training.
- It is important to get back into everyday life after what happened yesterday. Now I want us to win three games here, for her.
Garpenlöv's mother had Alzheimer's and had been ill for a long time before she passed away. The union captain has been deeply involved in the disease and is one of the ambassadors of the Alzheimer's Fund.
The union captain says he is ready to run fully during the Beijer Hockey Games in the Globe.
- It's nice to have something else to think about and I have an important tournament to focus on. But I do not go to the hotel (after training and matches) but go home and take care of dad. I talked to him yesterday and we think this is the right thing for me to do, he says.
- I'm here to lead the team and win the tournament.
The Swedish ice hockey national team will start against the Czech Republic on Thursday and will face Russia on Saturday and Finland on Sunday.