Klefbom big fan of giving soldiers an annual salute
According to Oscar Klefbom, they don’t have a designated day to honour military veterans in Sweden, but the Edmonton Oilers defenceman appreciates what Remembrance Day means to Canadians.
Klefbom’s grandfather was a high-ranking member of the Swedish army.
“Back home, it’s not that big of a deal,” Klefbom said. “In Finland, it’s a big thing because everyone has to serve in the military and all the hockey players had served, but back home it’s not a big thing anymore and unfortunately we don’t have something like this and I wish we did.
“It’s kind of cool to show some respect for my grandfather over here now.”
Folke Klefbom passed away before he could see his grandson play in the NHL, but the two were close.
“This (Remembrance Day) is a pretty cool thing for me,” Klefbom said. “He was a big influence to me growing up. I wish he would have seen me when I started playing professional hockey and saw where I was going. It’s pretty cool to honour him now.”
While preparing for the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, the Oilers took time to recognize the sacrifices made by members of the military.
“It’s an important day for all of us in our organization; players, management, staff, everybody recognizes the sacrifice that our military here in Canada and around the world (made),” said Oilers head coach Todd McLellan. “It allows us an opportunity to live the way we do in a great city like Edmonton and the freedoms that we have and we are very appreciative of that. We realize that we play a game for a living. We’re still under scrutiny, we’re in front of you (the media) every day, but that’s a lot different than being under scrutiny in the middle of a battle. We play it, they work it and we’re very appreciative of that.”