Leif Rohlin

Playing career

Rohlin was chosen 33rd overall in the 1988 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks after a strong performance at the 1988 World Junior Championships. He continued playing in Sweden for his hometown club, Västerås IK, and his game evolved there, though the Canucks found him difficult to sign. By the mid-1990s he was considered the best defender outside the NHL, helped by strong showings at the 1994 Winter Olympics and 1995 World Championships, as well as a 1994–95 season in the Swedish Elite League where he scored 15 goals and 30 points in 39 games.

He signed with the Canucks in summer 1995 at age 27. In the NHL, his offensive game did not translate as hoped and he lacked the grit for the physical North American style, but his puck-moving skills and positional awareness made him a useful depth defender. In 1995–96 he had 6 goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 56 games, and after the season he was selected for the 1996 World Cup, appearing in one game. The following season he played 40 games, recording 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points.

He left the Canucks after that season and returned to Europe, signing with HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss Nationalliga A. He became one of the top defenders in Switzerland, helped Ambri-Piotta win two Continental Cups, and represented Sweden at the 2001 World Championships. After four seasons in Switzerland he returned to Sweden in 2001 to play for Djurgårdens IF, then moved to Södertälje SK for the 2002–03 season before retiring. In 96 NHL games he had 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points, with 40 penalty minutes. Over 15 seasons of top-level hockey in Europe and North America he recorded 270 points in 602 games.