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AIK IF

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This article is about AIK's ice hockey department. For other departments of the club, see Allmänna Idrottsklubben § Active departments.
AIK
CityStockholm, Sweden
LeagueElitserien
Founded1921 (1891)
Home arenaHovet
ColorsBlack, yellow
   
General managerAnders Gozzi
Head coachRoger Melin
CaptainDick Tärnström
Franchise history
1921–1923AIK
1925–presentAIK
Championships
Le Mat Trophy1934, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1982, 1984
Current season

Allmänna Idrottsklubben Ishockeyförening (abbreviated AIK IF, AIK Ishockey or AIK Hockey, often simply referred to as AIK) is the ice hockey section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben based in Stockholm, Sweden. Both of AIK's senior teams play professionally in Sweden's top-level leagues, with the men's team playing in Elitserien and the women's team in Riksserien.

In the team's 102 year history, AIK has played 66 seasons in Sweden's top division, the Elitserien. They have won the Le Mat Trophy, as Elitserien champions seven times (in 1934, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1982, and 1984) and have been runners-up an additional six times (in 1930, 1936, 1940, 1968, 1978, and 1981).

AIK's home games are usually played at the Hovet Arena , but some of the more popular games (such as the local derby games against their Stockholm rival, Djurgårdens IF) may be played at the Ericsson Globe, which has a larger capacity of 13,850.[1][2]

History

Early years (1921–1977)

AIK's ice hockey section was formed in 1921 by Anton Johansson. The team's first competition was non-championship series, which they won. However, just two years later, in 1923, the section was shut down,[3] only to be re-founded in 1925.[4]

AIK participated in its first season in the Elitserien in 1930–31. They finished in fifth place and qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to Södertälje SK in the semifinal.[5] The following season, AIK finished in top place in the league, but again lost in the semifinal to Södertälje.[6] AIK knocked out their fierce rival, Djurgårdens IF, en route to clinching their first championship in 1934.[7] In the final, AIK met Hammarby IF, defeating them by a score of 1–0.[7]

Over the years, AIK would face Hammarby many times in championship battles. In 1935, AIK defended the trophy with another final win against Hammarby, this time with a score of 2–1.[8] In 1936, Hammarby beat AIK when the teams both made it to the final. The first game ended 1–1, and in the second leg, Hammarby won 5–1.[9] In 1938, AIK won their third championship with a 2–0 win in the final against Hammarby.[10] In 1940, IK Göta would reach the final, instead of Hammarby, to meet AIK. AIK lost the final 1–4.[11] It would four years until AIK returned to the final, with a chance to win the Le Mat Trophy, in 1945. However, AIK lost in the final to Södertälje,[12] but won the championship in the two following years.[13]

After these successful years, AIK were relegated to Division I[when?] and eventually to Division II from 1954 to 1960. In 1960, AIK entered the highest division again, but it would be almost two decades until the team would make another final. During this period, their best result came in the 1965–66 season, when they reached the quarterfinal.[13]

The golden era (1978–1984)

In 1978, AIK were put up against Brynäs IF in the semifinals.[14] In Gävle, AIK lost 2–3, which put pressure on AIK's side in the second leg. 9,155 supporters at Hovet saw AIK crush Brynäs 8–0, necessitating a third game, located at a neutral arena, Scandinavium. AIK won 3–2 and reached the final against Skellefteå AIK,[14][13] who had won both semifinal games against Modo Hockey. In the final against AIK, Skellefteå won two of the three games and received the gold medals.[14]

After two disappointing consecutive seasons, AIK's golden era began. The team finished in second place in 1980–81 Elitserien season and made it to the playoffs.[13] Västra Frölunda IF were their opponents in the semifinals, where AIK easily won 6–3 and 5–1. Skellefteå AIK were seeking to again join AIK in the final. But Färjestads BK won two of three games against them and instead Färjestad reached the final. Färjestad showed strength in the final games and won three out of four games and AIK became the second best team once again.[15]

AIK finished in third place in the following season, eight points behind the winners Färjestad.[13] AIK were faced against Färjestad in the semifinals. In Karlstad, AIK won 5–4 and had a great opportunity to qualify for another final game. Home at Hovet, AIK pleased the supporters by a marginal 4–0 win. The second team to reach the final was IF Björklöven, who were second placed in Elitserien. Four games were about to be played. AIK lost the first 0–2, but the following two games ended with AIK winning 3–2 and 4–3. The team now had a chance to win the championship at Hovet. Björklöven, though, took their last chance and won 4–2. The final fifth leg was played in Scandinavium, Gothenburg. AIK won 3–2 and became the Swedish champions for the first time in over 30 years.[16] The following season, Färjestad exacted their revenge in the semifinals by knocking out AIK with two wins to one.[17]

But it wouldn’t take long for the team and their fans to celebrate once again. AIK won Elitserien in the 1983–84 season, ahead of Djurgården, Björklöven, and Södertälje.[13] In the semifinals against Södertälje, AIK won the final two games 5–3 and 4–3. The other team to reach the final was Djurgården. A final between the two biggest rivals in the Swedish sports was set to begin. The first team to get three wins would be the champions. AIK won the first game 5–2 and continued on with a 2–0 win in the second leg. The final game ended 4–1 to AIK, who were thus subsequently number one again.[18]

Downfall (1985–2006)

The following season AIK didn’t make it to the playoffs and the following year they were relegated from Elitserien.[13][19][20] But their Division I stay would just last for one season.[13][21] In Elitserien, the playoffs now included quarter finals, where AIK in 1988 won against Djurgården. However, Färjestad knocked out AIK in the semifinals.[22]

In 1993, AIK finished last and were relegated once again. AIK had to qualify in a playoff series (Allsvenskan) to stay in Elitserien. But AIK lost two games against Hammarby and were completely relegated to Division I.[13][23]

AIK made it short in Division 1. The team won the Eastern Division and reached Allsvenskan. In the playoffs they finished on third place and qualified for another last playoff. Whilst there AIK knocked out Skellefteå and joined the final Kvalserien. AIK headed first placed Bodens IK in the last game and had to beat them by three goals to be promoted to Elitserien. In a remarkable and among the AIK supporters' historical game, AIK won against Boden 3–0. AIK’s goaltender Rolf Ridderwall saved a penalty shot in the final minutes, which led AIK back to Elitserien.[21]

AIK didn’t reach the playoffs in neither the 1994–95 nor 1995–96 season.[13][24][25] However, the following season, they made it to the semifinals, after having knocked out Djurgården in the quarterfinals.[13][26] Luleå HF, though, won three games out of five in the semifinals.[26]

In 1998, AIK once again had to qualify in order to keep playing in Elitserien. This time the team showed their qualities by winning the five entering games and kept their Elitserien spot.[27] The two following seasons AIK missed the playoffs.[28][29]

In the 2000–01 Elitserien season, AIK played in their most recent playoff series in that league. The team were knocked out by Djurgården in the quarterfinals after having won just one of five games.[30] The following season AIK finished on eleventh place and played in Kvalserien. AIK didn’t finish among the promoted teams and were thus relegated to Allsvenskan.[31]

AIK would spend the rest of the decade in divisions below Elitserien. In the team's two seasons in Allsvenskan before being relegated down to Division I, AIK made it to the Kvalserien both years but failed to qualify back to Elitserien both times.[32][33]

Just before the beginning of the 2004–05 season, AIK were obligated to relegation to Division I due to economic difficulties. AIK finished first in their division the following season and had their chance to qualify to Allsvenskan. Because of the NHL lockout, AIK got strengthen with NHL stars Mattias Norström and Georges Laraque. AIK won their Kvalserien and became promoted to Allsvenskan together with Nybro Vikings IF, who finished second in the same Kvalserien.[34]

The return to Elitserien (2010)

AIK started a massive effort to return to Elitserien in the 2008–09 season, one of the reasons being financial problems. Former Tre Kronor head coach Roger Melin were appointed, and NHL defenceman Dick Tärnström and Elitserien players such as Christopher Heino-Lindberg and Per Savilahti-Nagander, joined the club.

With a second place finish in HockeyAllsvenskan the following season, AIK qualified for the 2009 Kvalserien, where they finished on third place, just three points up to second placed Rögle BK. With another second placement the following season, AIK once again joined the Kvalserien. With only one game left against Växjö Lakers Hockey at Hovet, AIK were on the second and last Elitserien spot with only one point ahead of the third placed team Rögle BK. AIK won the game 2–0 and returned to Elitserien after eight years.[35]

KHL invitation (2009)

In November 2009, AIK were invited to join the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The agreement would have let AIK join the KHL in the 2010–11 season.[36] AIK organized a meeting with the club’s supporters where the members would make their decision through voting.[37] However, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association (SIHA) declined AIK’s request to join the KHL.[38]

Current roster

Template:AIK IF roster

Notable players

Retired numbers

Awards and trophies

Le Mat Trophy

  • 1934, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1982, 1984

Guldhjälmen

Guldpucken

Håkan Loob Trophy

Elitserien Rookie of the Year

Rinkens riddare

See also

References

  1. ^ Globen information
  2. ^ 2010–11 Elitserien game schedule
  3. ^ "1922–23 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  4. ^ "1924–25 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  5. ^ "1931–32 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  6. ^ "1931–32 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  7. ^ a b "1933–34 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  8. ^ "1934–35 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  9. ^ "1935–36 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  10. ^ "1937–38 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  11. ^ "1939–40 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  12. ^ "1944–45 AIK season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Places from 1922 to the current season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  14. ^ a b c "1977–78 Elitserien season" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  15. ^ "1980–81 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  16. ^ "1981–82 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  17. ^ "1982–83 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  18. ^ "1983–84 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  19. ^ "1984–85 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  20. ^ "1985–86 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  21. ^ a b "1986–87 Elitserie standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26. Cite error: The named reference "1986-87 season" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ "1987–88 Elitserien standings". Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  23. ^ 1992–93 AIK season
  24. ^ "1994–95 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  25. ^ "1995–96 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  26. ^ a b "1996–97 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  27. ^ "1998 Kvalserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  28. ^ "1998–99 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  29. ^ "1999–2000 Elitserien standings" (in Swedish). Svenskhockey.com. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  30. ^ "2000–01 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  31. ^ "2001–02 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  32. ^ "2002–03 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  33. ^ "2003–04 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  34. ^ "2004–05 AIK IF season" (in Swedish). AIK IF. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  35. ^ Eriksson, Frank (2010-04-11). "Kvalserien: AIK är tillbaka i Elitserien!" (in Swedish). Hockeyligan. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  36. ^ "AIK vill spela i ryska KHL" (Swedish). SVT. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  37. ^ "Medlemsomröstning angående spel i KHL - ett viktigt beslut...". AIK. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  38. ^ Ruiz Navarro, Pablo (2010-02-23). "AIK stoppas från KHL" (in Swedish). Nyheter24. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  39. ^ a b "Retired Numbers". European Hockey.net. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  40. ^ "AIK". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 7 November 2010.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to AIK Ishockey.
Preceded by Swedish ice hockey champions
1934, 1935 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Swedish ice hockey champions
1938 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Swedish ice hockey champions
1946, 1947 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Swedish ice hockey champions
1982 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Swedish ice hockey champions
1984 		Succeeded by
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