Rasmus Andersson Learns Of Father Peter’s Olympic Heartbreak Before Winter Games

In 1994, the Swedish Men’s hockey team took Olympic gold by defeating an amateur Team Canada in Lillehammer, Norway. The Swedes’ victory in shootout became one of Olympic hockey’s biggest moments. It’s not quite to the level of Team USA’s shocking gold medal at Lake Placid, but Peter Forsberg’s wizardly backhand to claim Sweden’s first Olympic hockey gold medal is special in its own way. At the 25th Winter Olympic Games, Team Sweden has their hopes on another gold medal, including one of Vegas’ top blueliners.

Half the Olympic experience is staying with other athletes, and seeing what they do, and how they get prepared. I think that part will be cool. In our life, it’s just game, hotel, flights, come home. I bet you it will be like your first year in the NHL when you experience everything for the first time. At the end of the day, you’re there for hockey, and that’s the one thing you know what to do. Everything around you, just appreciate the two weeks you have there and take it as it comes. –Rasmus Andersson to Sportsnet.ca

Andersson comes from a hockey family. Back when Sweden defeated Canada in ’94, VGK’s defenseman’s father was a gold medal hopeful as well. Peter Andersson was a fourth-round pick in 1983 and played 39 career games with the New York Rangers and dressed eight times for the Florida Panthers.

34 years ago, the elder Andersson was honored to wear the Swedish sweater like his 29-year-old son is currently wearing now. However, Peter and the Swedes finished out of medal contention. Thankfully, they had a chance to redeem themselves two years later. Unfortunately, Andersson’s Olympic dreams were cut short.

I booked the flight, and as I’m walking out of my house to get to the taxi, the phone rings. Somebody from the office in New York said, ‘Hey, you can’t go, because if you go, the Rangers have to put you on waivers, and they don’t want to.’ So, I had to cancel everything, stayed home, and then I watched on TV when Sweden won the gold medal. I was close to having a gold medal, but I couldn’t go. –Peter Andersson, Rasmus’ father to Sportsnet.ca

Sadly, Peter was forced to watch his countrymen, friends, and teammates complete their dream and deliver Sweden their first Olympic gold medal. Surprisingly, this was news to Peter’s son, Rasmus. While the 11-game Golden Knight was well aware of his father’s 25-year professional playing career, he didn’t know about the heartbreaking story from 1994.

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That’s funny, I didn’t know that. He doesn’t really tell us a lot about the Olympics. He said about ’92 it was the coolest experience he had, playing with Borje, but he doesn’t go in depth. He said, ‘You’ll see when you get there. –Rasmus Andersson to Sportsnet.ca

Currently, Sweden is +600 to win the Olympic hockey tournament at William Hill, though their odds will probably increase after a loss to Finland. In all likelihood, it’ll be a tough hill to climb for the Swedes as they’re bound to face off against the US or Canada. No matter what, it’ll be an experience of a lifetime for Rasmus, Peter, and the entire Andersson family.