Mats Lindh

Playing career Lindh grew up in Stackmora, a smal community in Orsa Municipality in Dalarna. He lived right next to the local outdoor ice rink, where he spent most of his time, eating dinner at home wearing his skates so he could quickly get back to the rink. He began his senior career in the 1964–65 season with Stackmora SK in Division 4, Sweden's fourth tier hockey league. The following year he joined nearby club Mora IK in Division 2, scoring 12 goals in 22 games as Mora IK were promoted to Division 1 for the 1966–67 season, where Lindh appeared in 23 games and scored 8 goals.

In 1967–68 he remained with Mora IK in Division 1, recording 3 goals and 11 points over 28 games. The 1968–69 season saw him post 14 goals and 21 points in 20 regular-season games, along with 3 goals and 4 points in 7 playoff appearances; he also represented Sweden B in international play, scoring six goals in six games.

He enjoyed a productive 1969–70 campaign with Mora IK, tallying 18 goals and 34 points in 28 games. The following season he joined Örebro SK in Division 2, scoring 15 goals, and also appeared in international matches for Sweden.

In 1971–72 he moved to Västra Frölunda IF in Division 1, where he posted 17 goals and 31 points in 27 games. That season he also represented Sweden at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1972 World Ice Hockey Championships, recording 1 goal in each tournament.

He remained with Västra Frölunda for the 1972–73 season, scoring 12 goals and 27 points in 28 games, and in 1973–74 he improved to 15 goals and 37 points in 35 games. In 1974–75 he scored 14 goals and 28 points in 28 games and added 1 goal and 8 points in 8 games at the 1975 World Ice Hockey Championships.

For the 1975–76 season he signed with the Winnipeg Jets (WHA) of the World Hockey Association, recording 19 goals and 34 points in 65 regular-season games, and adding 2 goals and 4 points in 13 playoff games as the Jets captured the Avco World Trophy. He returned to Winnipeg in 1976–77, scoring 14 goals and 31 points in 73 games, and posting 2 goals and 9 points in 20 playoff contests.

He rejoined Västra Frölunda in 1977–78, now competing in the Elitserien, and scored 16 goals and 28 points in 35 games. The following season he managed 6 goals and 13 points in 19 games, and in 1979–80 he contributed 5 goals and 11 points in 31 games plus 6 playoff appearances. In 1980–81 he tallied 11 goals and 24 points in 32 games, adding 1 goal in 2 playoff contests. His final top-level season came in 1981–82, when he appeared in 4 games for Västra Frölunda.

Personal life After his playing career, Lindh got a degree from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Among his students were future NHL players Daniel Alfredsson and P. J. Axelsson.

Lindh died on 8 August 2025, at the age of 77.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1965–66 Mora IK Division 2 2212——— ————— 1966–67 Mora IK Division 1 238——— ————— 1967–68 Mora IK Division 1 288311— ————— 1968–69 Mora IK Division 1 20 14 7 21 2 73140 1969–70 Mora IK Division 1 28181634— ————— 1970–71 Örebro SK Division 2 —15——— ————— 1971–72 Västra Frölunda IF Division 1 271714314 ————— 1972–73 Västra Frölunda IF Division 1 281215272 ————— 1973–74 Västra Frölunda IF Division 1 351522372 ————— 1974–75 Västra Frölunda IF Division 1 281414282 ————— 1975–76 Winnipeg Jets WHA 6519153412 132244 1976–77 Winnipeg Jets WHA 731417312 202792 1977–78 Västra Frölunda IF SEL 351612286 ————— 1978–79 Västra Frölunda IF SEL 1967132 ————— 1979–80 Västra Frölunda IF SEL 31561110 60000 1980–81 Västra Frölunda IF SEL 321113242 21010 1981–82 Västra Frölunda IF SEL 40002 ————— SEL/Division 1 totals 33814412927334 154150 WHA totals 13833326514 3349136

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 1972 Sweden OG 4th 41010 1972 Sweden WC 41010 1975 Sweden WC 81780 Int' totals 1637100