A Look Back at Our Hockey Night in Stockholm

What an evening it turned out to be!

The American Club of Sweden welcomed members, guests, and hockey fans to O’Learys Tolv in Stockholm on November 14 for a truly memorable night with hockey in focus—an event that proved to be about much more than watching the NHL Global Series matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators taking place at Globen right next door.

The lineup of guest speakers brought a rich mix of professional experience, personal insight, and passion for the game:

• Johnny Oduya – Former NHL defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, as well as Sweden men's national ice hockey team player, from Stockholm, Sweden.

• Joel Jonsson – Director of International Trade at Teknikföretagen and former forward at Gustavus Adolphus College, originally from Kungsängen, Sweden.

• Dan Nyberg – Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), former defenseman at Yale University, originally from Järfälla, Sweden

• David Landes – Director of Corporate Storytelling at Tale Content Creators, lifelong hockey enthusiast from White Bear, Minnesota.

They shared personal stories about the role hockey has played in their lives and how the sport builds bridges between Sweden and the United States. Their perspectives highlighted not only hockey’s competitive thrill but also its ability to shape character, create opportunity, and connect cultures across the Atlantic.

From learning why most Swedes are lefties while Americans are righties, to hearing stories of cross-cultural experiences and personal growth, we were treated to an engaging and uplifting yet casual program that reminded us that hockey is more than just a sport, it’s a shared language that continues to strengthen bonds between our two countries.

After the talks, guests stayed to watch the Global Series game live from Globen, just steps away from O’Learys. For those heading to the arena afterward, the event provided the perfect warm-up. For everyone else, it was simply an unforgettable night of sports, stories, and camaraderie.

A big thank-you to all who joined us at O’Learys Tolv, and especially to our speakers for sharing their experiences and inspiring us with their passion for the game.