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  • Where are they now?

    From IIHF News@1:266/404 to All on Thu May 10 16:54:09 2018
    It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since Denmark returned to the top division of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

    Since appearing at the 2003 Worlds in Turku, Finland, the Danes have never been
    relegated. And while great new Danish NHL stars have emerged, from Frederik Andersen to Nikolaj Ehlers, it's worth acknowledging the men who made history in 2003.

    That was Denmark's first appearance among the world's best since the 1949 tournament in Stockholm, Sweden. The Danes overachieved with a 5-2 opening win over the United States and a 2-2 tie with Canada en route to 11th place.

    Two alumni from ‘03 are on this year's World Championship squad: 34-year-old forward Frans Nielsen of the Detroit Red Wings and 37-year-old defenceman Daniel Nielsen, the captain of the Herning Blue Fox. Most of the players have hung up their skates, but their legacy lives on with this tournament in Copenhagen and Herning.

    So where are they now? Some are working in Danish hockey as coaches, while others have moved on to different fields. To illustrate, here are just five interesting examples.

    Goalie Peter Hirsch, 39, is the goaltending coach for Sweden's Timra IK. This season, Hirsch worked with starter Henrik Haukeland, who appeared in one game for Norway at the PyeongChang Olympics and is backing up Lars Haugen again at these Worlds.

    Defenceman Lasse Degn, 40, is a team leader with the multinational healthcare company Novo Nordisk, headquartered in Copenhagen. Since his 2010 retirement from hockey, Degn also serves as a broadcaster with Denmark's TV2 during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

    Defenceman Jesper Duus, 50, is currently the sports director of the Danish Ice Hockey Union.

    Forward Nicolas Monberg, 39, recently accepted a sales position with Sweetdeal,
    which offers discounted trips, goods, and other services to Danish residents.

    Forward Kim Staal, 40, just completed his second straight season with Herlev Eagles (12-10-22 in 41 games). Prior to returning to his hometown, Staal won an
    Asia League championship with Japan's Tohoku Free Blades in 2016.

    LUCAS AYKROYD

    http://https://www.new-iihf.com/en/events/2018/wm/news/2494/where-are-they-now --- SBBSecho 3.04-Win32
    * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Toms River, NJ (1:266/404)