Former Oiler Oscar Klefbom breaks silence after not playing for three years
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Oscar Klefbom, who spent his entire NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, is speaking out after being absent from the league for three years without an explanation
Despite not playing in the NHL since August 7, 2020, Edmonton Oiler Oscar Klefbom had never officially retired, or even explained why he was absent. However, the former first-round draft pick (19th overall), is finally speaking out, and telling fans why he remained silent.
Klefbom, now 31, broke his silence in an interview in his home country of Sweden. He has officially confirmed his retirement from the sport of hockey. The cause is a shoulder injury he suffered in 2012 while playing in Sweden that he never fully recovered from.
"The problems began back in 2012, when he was loaned out to his parent club Färjestad. Klefbom was hit in the back during a match in Växjö, fell into the boards and dislocated his left shoulder.
The 31-year-old says that the shoulder never really got better. It was tightened up to prevent it from popping out again, which ultimately led to osteoarthritis.
More blows followed, and Klefbom played on painkillers while his body took a beating. His stomach gave up the ghost after a multi-year course of anti-inflammatories and injections."
The 31-year-old says that the shoulder never really got better. It was tightened up to prevent it from popping out again, which ultimately led to osteoarthritis.
More blows followed, and Klefbom played on painkillers while his body took a beating. His stomach gave up the ghost after a multi-year course of anti-inflammatories and injections."
As for why he didn't talk about the injury and his retirement until now, Klefbom explained it was simply too difficult mentally for him to do it. He added had trouble watching Oilers game since he left.
"It was a choice I made. I told Edmonton that I wanted to lay very low with what was going to happen and what the situation is. They were perfectly fine with that. From my side, it was also because I thought it was too difficult to talk about it.
I have barely watched a single Oilers game since I quit. It's been too hard. When I look, I just see myself there, see what I would do myself. It has been a struggle mentally."
I have barely watched a single Oilers game since I quit. It's been too hard. When I look, I just see myself there, see what I would do myself. It has been a struggle mentally."
Klefbom now lives back in Sweden with his family. He said he made enough money in his NHL career to live comfortably, but still wants to eventually find a job in the world of hockey again.
| POLL | ||
8 AOUT | 52 ANSWERS Former Oiler Oscar Klefbom breaks silence after not playing for three years Do you recall watching Oscar Klefbom play for the Edmonton Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 76.9 % |
| No | 9 | 17.3 % |
| Not sure | 3 | 5.8 % |
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