Siggi the Conqueror

Eurohockey: how has the hockey changed in Iceland over the past 25 years?

Mr. Sigurdsson: The level is getting better every year. The biggest change is of course in the facilities.  We only played outdoors until the first indoor ice came in Reykjavík in 1998, than we got our new rink in 2000 and then the 3rd in Reykjavík in 2002. Now we have 4 competitive teams both in men and women and our national team program is getting bigger and better every year.

Eurohockey: who is the strongest player you played with (and against) in your career?

Mr. Sigurdsson: It´s hard to pick some players after 25 years. But the most memorable is probably the first import player and a coach who came over here in 1991, Pekka Santanen from Finland – we had never seen a player like that here in Iceland before.  The one who has probably given me the hardest times through the years on the ice is probably the Russian Sergei Zak who played and coached Björninn for more than 10 years.

Eurohockey: you never played outside your country, a choice or simply lack of opportunities?

Mr. Sigurdsson: That was really not an option when I was younger, for example I was 22 years old when I finally got to play indoor and 24 years old when that dream came true in my home town.  

Eurohockey: what did icehockey mean for you in these years and there will be icehockey also in your future?

Mr. Sigurdsson: Ice hockey meant everything to me. I couldn´t wait for the ponds to freeze which many times ended with a cold and icy trip through too thin ice.  After we got the ice ready at the outdoor rink I got obsessed with the weather, always hoping it wouldn´t snow so we could have good practice on good ice.  After those 25 years in the league, what stands out is the friendship, the laughter and chirping in the locker room. I will play as long as I can and my three kids are all in hockey now so yes – there is a lot of hockey in my future – thanks to the hockey gods.