Edsbyn's goalkeeper about the bear attack: "If she had wanted to, she would have killed me easily"

In classic Edsbyn, SM gold in bandy is commonplace, but goalkeeper Henrik Karlström's journey to the top was long and not least bloody.

In 2013, he was involved in a match accident where he cut open one thigh on a skate rail and was close to bleeding.

When he returned from the injury, a moose hunt turned into a melee with a female bear, which tore his face and bit off one of his hands.

- If she had wanted to, she would have killed me easily.

She dragged me ten meters and I think I passed out, says Henrik Karlström about the incident.

Reserve for eight seasons

He was the unlucky goalkeeper, who also spent eight years on Edsbyn's substitute bench as a reserve goalkeeper, and worked with training, reserve teams and current matches in the A team.

But last season he got a starring role, ending with a heroic effort in the final, SM gold and the fans' favorite as the association's Player of the Year.

- Sometimes, of course, I've considered quitting, but I've enjoyed being in the team so incredibly well, so I couldn't quit, says Henrik Karlström.

How do you see the chances for Edsbyn to defend the SM gold this winter?

- We absolutely have the chance.

It is important for Edsbyn as a place to have a good bandy team, you can tell by the people you meet.