After eleven straight seasons in North America and two Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh, there were probably many who raised their eyebrows when they saw that Skellefteå before this season had recruited meritorious Tom Kühnhackl.

So how did the 29-year-old German actually end up in Västerbotten?

- I did not get any offers in the NHL, and when there were none I looked towards Europe where I had offers from a few different leagues.

I have heard good things about the SHL from several Germans, for example Moritz Seider who I spoke to at the World Cup.

When I heard about Skellefteå and what a hockey-crazy city it is, I wanted to come here, says Kühnhackl when he meets SVT Sport outside the team's arena.

Haft defensiv roll i NHL

In the NHL, Kühnhackl has had a distinct defensive role, but in Skellefteå, the hope is to attract the offensive quality that he showed earlier in his career.

- I am a reliable player, get a lot of ice time in boxing, block shots in my own zone and play for the team.

Of course I want to contribute here too, but at the same time I want to be offensive.

How many points can we count on?

- I do not intend to answer that.

If I only score one goal and ten assists but we win Swedish Championship gold, I do not care about the statistics.

It is the team that must be successful.

Dad's crazy score

Seeing the name Kühnhackl in the goal record was otherwise quite common in the past.

The cult player Erich, today 70 years old, has been named Germany's best hockey player of all time and was one of the best in all of Europe in his time.

Or how about 1374 points in 726 matches in the German league?

Many who followed Tre Kronor in the 1970s and 80s probably remember the 196 centimeter long scoring machine called "The wardrobe on skates".

Are you aware that your father is something of a cult player here in Sweden?

- I have understood it.

In recent weeks, everyone has come to me and said that they know Dad or have seen him play.

It's cool that he's well known here and not just in Germany.

But he was also one of the longest on the ice and a very good player.

"The wardrobe on skates"

Yes, he was called "The wardrobe on skates" ...

- Haha, my teammates also called me that for a while, but that's his nickname.

He was a real jerk so I probably have to put on a few kilos first in that case.

How much hockey do you talk about at home?

- Sometimes he hears from me with thoughts or advice, but it was more when I was younger, of course.

However, he still watches all my matches online and I'm sure he will come here and watch some match live.

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SVT Sport has met Skellefteå's new acquisition Tom Kühnhackl.

Photo: SVT Sport