Head of sport in the NIHF Petter Salsten at the presentation of the WC squad in ice hockey at the Olympiatoppen. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB
Of NTB | 06.05.2024 12:24:33
Sport: Salsten met the press to present the men’s national team that will be in action at the WC in the Czech Republic.
– It is impossible for us not to say a few words about what has affected us all in the last 24 hours, said Salsten.
Alexander Reichenberg died this weekend. He was 31 years old.
– The ice hockey family is small. Everybody knows everybody. Everyone has played with each other, against each other. When you are born and raised in an ice hockey family in Norway, you travel around the same halls and form relationships with both players and parents.
Salsten points out that there are many in the Norwegian WC squad who are facing a tough period. To NRK he states that a medical team is connected and on standby for the squad.
– The message that came yesterday affects our whole family. It also affects the squad you will be served today. Everyone has some kind of relationship with Alexander. Many have a very close relationship with him and his family. Since yesterday, we have been in contact with a number of players and will be in contact with more. There are tough targets and a heavy process they are also in the middle of, said the sports manager.
The news of Reichenberg’s passing became known on Sunday. In Lillehammer, the news of the death was received with shock.
– It is difficult to understand. It doesn’t work for us. We are like a family that takes care of each other. This is like losing a brother, said Lillehammer captain Christian Fosse Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen.
He also has a number of international matches for Norway at various age levels. He represented Norway during the Olympics in Pyeongchang in 2018.
The last three seasons he played in Lillehammer. He delivered his best season in the regular season last winter with 44 goal points.
– The ice hockey family stands together in the grief we know. And then we will try to take care of those affected as best we can, but it is a difficult day for all of us with the news we received yesterday.
Reichenberg is referred to as one of Lillehammer’s greatest profiles of all time with the third most games for the club. During his career he has played in the Czech Republic, Sweden and Austria.
(© NTB)