Portrait of EHC Red Bull München's Adam Almquist

Wednesday, 30. August 2023 | Portrait of EHC Red Bull München's Adam Almquist

The Wiesngänger from the far north: This is Adam Almquist Portrait of new Red Bulls defender// PORTRAITOur portrait series continues with Adam Almquist. The Swede told us about his career, a reunion with an old teammate and why he lives in Munich without a family.

Ice hockey is a big deal in Sweden. "I started when I was five years old," Almquist recalls. He didn't want to commit himself at that time, though; he was too enthusiastic about sports for that. "I have an older brother and with him I tried many sports back then." Table tennis, tennis, wrestling, basketball - or soccer. "That's the most popular sport in Sweden." But Almquist simply played field hockey too well to stop.

"I didn't think about turning pro for a long time. As I got older and the level got higher, I knew I wanted to play for HV71's first team," Almquist says. HV71 is the field hockey address in Jönköping, his hometown. He first played for the club as a junior and later made his professional debut in the 2009/10 season. Before that season, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. "I played for HV71 for two and a half more years and lived in Jönköping. Then I moved abroad for the first time. That shapes a person," says the 32-year-old.

The 50 percent quota in the NHL

In the Red Wings organization, he first played for the Grand Rapids Griffins farm team. One of his teammates at the time: Trevor Parkes. "It's crazy that we're seeing each other again a good ten years later in Germany," Almquist says happily. The left-shooter performed strongly with the Griffins, scoring as a defenseman like a forward and was one of his team's top scorers. The logical consequence: his NHL debut for the Red Wings on November 4, 2013 against Winnipeg. He scored his first goal in the next game against Dallas. Two appearances, one goal. 50-percent goal rate - a proud record. However, it was not to be more games in the NHL.

He ended his North American adventure in 2014. Years in the Russian KHL, the Swedish SHL and the Swiss National League followed. Most recently, the 32-year-old played for EV Zug. And he skated for the Tre Kronor, the Swedish national team. "Every league is different and has its own style. Every country has a different culture. That's why all stations were interesting," Almquist looks back on his previous stations. Now he is starting the Munich chapter.

The Swede has already settled into life in the champions' metropolis. The starting signal was given by the traditional costume outfit at Angermaier, where the defender not only cut a fine figure in lederhosen, but immediately expressed anticipation for the Wiesn. "It's my premiere in lederhosen. They fit well. They definitely feel different than my ice hockey pants. But I'm already looking forward to wearing them at the Oktoberfest," Almquist revealed after the fitting.

Bittner & Co. sind bereit für die Wiesn!

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"Ten, 15 years ago, it would have been hard for me"

Almquist is a family man. He and his wife have two daughters, ages seven and five. "The first two and a half weeks they were here with me in Munich. But now they are back home because the girls will go to school there. But whenever we can, we visit each other," Almquist says. In his free time, sports continue to be his first choice. "I still totally enjoy playing tennis. But also padel tennis. That's been pretty popular in Sweden for a few years now," says the Swede.

His number one sport, however, remains ice hockey. Red Bulls fans can look forward to a playful and intelligent defender who doesn't shy away from duels - despite being "only" 1.81 meters tall. "I have been one of the smallest players in all my teams. But I never had any problems. On the contrary, I adapted and found solutions," Almquist says. Then he adds, "Ten, 15 years ago, there were the heavy guys. It would have been more complicated for me then. But the game has changed." Good for Almquist, good for the Red Bulls.