Veteran NHL player leaves hockey to coach soccer after feeling betrayed

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Daniel Lucente
October 16, 2024 (6:52 PM)

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Anton Stralman had his fair share of ups and downs in the NHL and hockey in general, and he has done a 180 career change and will now coach women's soccer.

Anton Stralman retired from professional hockey, but he's not exactly sitting on his hands when it comes to sports, just in a wildly unexpected way. According to reports, veteran defenseman Stralman has jumped into a coaching role for Skultorps IF, which is a Swedish women's soccer team. The news was via Robin Olausson of Hockey Sverige and seemed to come out of left field as it's not often the case that a former hockey player switches over to coach a whole different sport altogether.

The last NHL season for Stralman came with the Boston Bruins in 2022-23, which he signed on a professional tryout contract. He would later find himself with HV71 of the SHL, scoring two goals and tallying 16 points in 48 games. With the Bruins, his tenure was far less exciting. He only played eight games with no points and a minus-3 rating, which sealed his fate in the NHL. While the playing role of Stralman was reduced with the Bruins, his love for sports certainly did not decline.

It sent shockwaves among his hockey-loving fans because it was a complete diversion from the ice rink. However, people in Skultorps IF are relishing the chance to have Stralman, with such diverse experiences in sports, come to their team. While it is rather evident that the medium of sport has changed, the love for competition and mentorship within Stralman is still quite palpable.

Stralman's departure from the NHL was not without controversy. He was frustrated and unhappy with the way the Bruins had handled his final stint in the club, as he'd said he was signed to fill out a roster spot, and shortly later sent to the AHL. He had four assists in 17 games with the Providence Bruins and felt misled by the organization's approach. That sour end does little to tarnish the lofty position that Stralman has earned in hockey history with a career with several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He even won a gold medal with Sweden in the 2017 World Hockey Championship.

The industrious nature and extensive experience that he has gained will probably be what he is remembered for the most as Anton Stralman continues his career into this next chapter. The mentality of winning that he has set will be huge in leading this next wave of athletes, no matter what sport they participate in.