Linus Klasen
A dazzling, undersized Swedish winger whose electrifying skill and playmaking made him a fan favorite and a consistent point producer in Europe's top leagues.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Swedish ice hockey player·Birthday: February 19·Millennials
Biography
Linus Klasen has built a career on defying expectations. Standing at just 5'8", his size was often questioned, but his hands, vision, and offensive creativity were never in doubt. After emerging as a star in the Swedish Hockey League with Djurgårdens IF, he took a celebrated shot at the NHL with the Nashville Predators, where his slick style briefly flashed in Music City. Ultimately, he found his greatest success and longevity back in Europe, becoming a cornerstone for teams in Sweden and Switzerland. Klasen's game is a highlight reel of deceptive moves and pinpoint passes, making him a perennial scoring leader and one of the most entertaining players to watch outside the NHL.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Linus was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Linus Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Linus's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in scoring during the 2009-10 season with 57 points.
- Recorded over 500 career points in the Swedish Hockey League across multiple stints.
- Won the Guldhjälmen award as the SHL's most valuable player, as voted by the players, in 2010.
Did You Know?
He is the son of former Swedish international ice hockey player Bobo Klasen.
He played 12 games for the Nashville Predators in the 2010-11 NHL season, recording 4 points.
He has played for clubs in Switzerland (SCL Tigers) and Germany (ERC Ingolstadt) in addition to Sweden.
“They said I was too small, so I learned to be quicker and smarter.”
