Robert Larsson, the father of Edmonton Oilers defenceman Adam Larsson, has died while on a visit to Edmonton to see his son. He was just 50 years old.
Mr. Larsson had arrived in the Alberta capital last week to see the Oilers play, and presumably spend the All-Star break with his son. But last Thursday, Adam abruptly left the Oilers morning skate to attend to what was termed a "personal matter" by the team.
On Instagram, Larsson posted just after midnight on Friday morning, "Dad. I love you. Always had. Always will."
Robert Larsson spent 10 seasons as a defenceman for Skellefteå AIK between 1985-96. He was drafted in the sixth round, 112th overall by the Los Angles Kings in 1988. Adam followed in his father’s footsteps, playing three seasons for Skellefteå before becoming the fourth overall choice in the 2011 draft, by New Jersey.
Flags flew at half-mast outside the Skellefteå hockey arena on Friday, according to the Swedish news source Aftonbladet.
"Robert is one of Skellefteå’s biggest defencemen throughout the ages, and we are deeply saddened by this news," says Skellefteå club director Per-Anders Israelsson, per Aftonbladet.
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