Lars Björn

Lars Gunnar Raldo "Lasse" Björn (16 December 1931 – 14 August 2024) was a Swedish ice hockey player. As a defenceman, he played 216 games for the Sweden men's national team and participated in nine Ice Hockey World Championships and three Winter Olympics. He won nine Swedish ice hockey championships with Djurgårdens IF, who retired jersey number 12 in his honor. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.

Early life Lars Gunnar Raldo Björn was born on 16 December 1931 in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up in the Traneberg district, and played football as a youth with Westermalms IF. He began playing hockey with BK Cometen in Traneberg, then was recruited to join Djurgårdens IF at age 17 in 1949.

Internationally, he played 216 games for the Sweden men's national ice hockey team. He served as captain of the Sweden national team in 1957.

Björn operated a haulage company, was married to Margareta, had two children, and resided on Stora Essingen in Stockholm.

Honors and legacy Björn was primarily known by the nickname "Lasse". He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.

Statistics Individual statistics from the top level of international play at the Olympic Games and the Ice Hockey World Championships (IHWC):

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1952 Sweden Olympics 7 0 2 2 10 1953 IHWC 3 1 1 2 2 1954 7 1 0 1 6 1955 8 1 2 3 14 1956 Olympics 7 3 1 4 10 1957 IHWC 7 3 0 3 6 1958 7 1 1 2 10 1959 8 0 1 1 10 1960 Olympics 1 0 0 0 2 1961 IHWC 6 1 2 3 8 Totals 61 11 10 21 78