Last season, the 35-year-old Olympic forward scored 49 points (15 goals + 34 assists) for Minnesota. Minnesota wanted him to stay and he had several offers from other NHL teams. But he and his family felt they were done with hockey life in North America.
When you put everything together with life, it felt like the right decision to go home. I have known for a long time that I wanted to go home eventually, but I didn't know when. And I have never felt ready before, says Marcus Johansson in connection with the SHL's opening meeting.
Now was a good time. I wanted to come home and perform and show what I can do, not just come home and play hockey for the sake of playing hockey.
“Our base and security”
Home means Karlstad, there was no doubt about that for the Scania-born player who came to Färjestad as an U18 player.
We had a few years where we moved around quite a bit in the US and then we felt that Karlstad was our base and the security in our lives. We have had our house in Karlstad for quite a few years.
The timing of the return home also concerns the daughters' schooling - the oldest is now starting middle school and the youngest is starting preschool.
They have been able to start their lives here at home and things have gone great so far.
It was 16 seasons in the NHL, 1,183 games and 617 points (220+397) - in six different clubs. It was clearly an adjustment to now play on a big rink again.
It's a slightly different timing in the game, slightly different surfaces to play on, so it's an adjustment. But it's felt better and better.
He believes in Färjestad this coming season.
We have an exciting team, with very good depth. A large and strong team that is also strong in skating. It will be fun to see if we can put this puzzle together and get off to a good start to the season.
Likes to play with Tre Kronor
Marcus Johansson has played in two World Championships and two Olympics - he was in Milano Cortina in February - and is no stranger to more games in Tre Kronor.
If you are healthy and fit and nothing else gets in the way, it is always fun to play for the national team.
The agreement with Färjestad is for two years.
Two feels like enough now. Then we'll have to evaluate how it feels after two years.
Saturday 19 September, at 15.15: HV71-Malmö, Linköping-Timrå, Frölunda-Växjö, Skellefteå-Brynäs.
6:00 p.m.: Luleå-Rögle, Färjestad-Örebro, Djurgården-Björklöven.
