IIHF Hall of Fame Induction 2019
Jorgen JONSSON
Player
Born Angelholm, Sweden, 29 September 1972
2019 IIHF Hall of Fame Inductee Jorgen Jonsson speaks at 2019 IIHF Hall of Fame Ceremony at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Bratislava on May 26, 2019 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
In the long and distinguished history of Swedish hockey no player wore the Tre Kronor sweater more often than Jorgen Jonsson. He wore the “three crowns” some 285 times during a career that was as successful as any in his nation’s history.
A centreman, Jonsson developed as a teen with his club team Rogle in his hometown of Angelholm. Drafted 227th overall by Calgary in 1994, he wasn’t particularly interested in moving to North America and instead moved from Rogle to the Farjestad team in Karlstad, where he thrived for many years.
In 1999, however, he finally agreed to try his hand at the NHL, where his brother Kenny, the team captain, had enjoyed a successful career. Jorgen signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders, where Kenny was playing, but Jorgen made it clear he wasn’t interested in playing in the NHL for very long. As a result, late in his rookie season, he was traded to Anaheim for another Swede, Johan Davidsson.
Jorgen missed Sweden and missed family life, and true to his word, after that one NHL season, the now 28-year-old decided to return home and continue his career with Farjestad.
Jonsson was slow to develop and never played at the World Junior Championship. In fact, his first tournament was the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer at age 21, alongside Kenny. This tournament was made famous by Peter Forsberg’s one-handed goal in the shootout against Canada, giving Tre Kronor its first ever Olympic gold.
Later that year Jorgen helped Sweden win bronze at the World Championship in what was his first of 12 appearances at the year-end tournament. He didn’t play in either 1995 or 1996, but starting in 1997 he played in eleven consecutive World Championships, winning two gold, three silver, and four bronze medals. In all, his 104 World Championship games played ranks 11th on the all-time list.
Jonsson captained Tre Kronor for six straight years (2000-2005) during his 15-year international career, and he played more games as captain than anyone in Tre Kronor history. A smooth skater who was skilled in the offensive end of the ice and equally effective as a checker, he was the kind of player no team could win without.
Jonsson is part of two extraordinary groups. He and his brother Kenny and Peter Forsberg were the only players to win Olympic gold in both 1994 and 2006, an impressive example of longevity.
As well, Jonsson was part of another group of eight players to win gold at the Olympics and World Championship in the same year, 2006, the only time in IIHF history this has happened. And, of course, Jonsson in the only player who is on both of these lists of historic achievements.
Jonsson retired from the game in 2009, and after his 13 distinguished seasons with Farjestad the club retired his number 21. In 2012, he became the 58th member inducted into Sweden’s Hockey Hall of Fame.
A centreman, Jonsson developed as a teen with his club team Rogle in his hometown of Angelholm. Drafted 227th overall by Calgary in 1994, he wasn’t particularly interested in moving to North America and instead moved from Rogle to the Farjestad team in Karlstad, where he thrived for many years.
In 1999, however, he finally agreed to try his hand at the NHL, where his brother Kenny, the team captain, had enjoyed a successful career. Jorgen signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders, where Kenny was playing, but Jorgen made it clear he wasn’t interested in playing in the NHL for very long. As a result, late in his rookie season, he was traded to Anaheim for another Swede, Johan Davidsson.
Induction Speech
Jorgen missed Sweden and missed family life, and true to his word, after that one NHL season, the now 28-year-old decided to return home and continue his career with Farjestad.
Jonsson was slow to develop and never played at the World Junior Championship. In fact, his first tournament was the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer at age 21, alongside Kenny. This tournament was made famous by Peter Forsberg’s one-handed goal in the shootout against Canada, giving Tre Kronor its first ever Olympic gold.
Later that year Jorgen helped Sweden win bronze at the World Championship in what was his first of 12 appearances at the year-end tournament. He didn’t play in either 1995 or 1996, but starting in 1997 he played in eleven consecutive World Championships, winning two gold, three silver, and four bronze medals. In all, his 104 World Championship games played ranks 11th on the all-time list.
Jonsson captained Tre Kronor for six straight years (2000-2005) during his 15-year international career, and he played more games as captain than anyone in Tre Kronor history. A smooth skater who was skilled in the offensive end of the ice and equally effective as a checker, he was the kind of player no team could win without.
Jonsson is part of two extraordinary groups. He and his brother Kenny and Peter Forsberg were the only players to win Olympic gold in both 1994 and 2006, an impressive example of longevity.
As well, Jonsson was part of another group of eight players to win gold at the Olympics and World Championship in the same year, 2006, the only time in IIHF history this has happened. And, of course, Jonsson in the only player who is on both of these lists of historic achievements.
Jonsson retired from the game in 2009, and after his 13 distinguished seasons with Farjestad the club retired his number 21. In 2012, he became the 58th member inducted into Sweden’s Hockey Hall of Fame.