Former Winnipeg Jets’ player, Sweden’s Thomas Steen becomes a councillor and a politician
Thomas Steen, a former professional ice hockey player from Sweden and a forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for Winnipeg Jets, has become the councillor of the Elmwood-East Kildonan district in Winnipeg, after becoming a politician.
Steen was one of the most consistent and best players in the 80s and 90s as he played for Winnipeg Jets for a long period of 14 years.
The 52-year-old former ice hockey player started his career in his native country Sweden in 1976, playing for Leksands IF in Elitserien Hockey League (SEL). In 1980 he shifted to Farjestads BK Karlstad in the same league but one year later he moved towards
America as he joined the best league of the world.
His first season in NHL, 1981-1982 was a good beginning for him as he managed to play 73 games in it, scoring 15 goals and 29 assists for a total of 44 points.
The Stockholm, Sweden native kept improving with time as he 59 and 65 points in second and third season respectively, but his best came in 1984-1985 when he scored 30 goals and 54 assists for 84 total points. Although that was not his best performance in
14 year’s time with Jets as he scored 88 points in 1988-1989 season but it made a strong foundation for him and played a great role in him winning the hearts of people.
Steen played his last season in the NHL in 1994-1995 and then moved to Germany in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) where he joined Frankfurt Lions. After one year he left Lions and played for Berlin Polar Bears, the team he represented until he left hockey.
And now he is back at the place where he played hockey for 14 years. In 2007 he had started politics and in 2010 he became the councillor of Winnipeg.
Talking about his love for the city, Steen remembered the time when he first came here, as he said,
"When I initially came here, I thought I would just play the contract. I didn't even think about the future. After two years, I really loved it. Playing hockey and being young living in Canada was just great. When we had kids, it got better. It's a great
place to raise a family."
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