The hegemonic impact of the NHL and the ‘Americanization’ of Swedish ice hockey and resistance: Rögle BK as ‘hockey culture’

Abstract

The article investigate the impact of National Hockey League (NHL) and its hegemonic cultural impact on the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). This is done in light of the concept of Americanization. Thus, the study traces two different stages in the Americanization process, in relation to the first commercial hockey club in Sweden: i.e. Rögle BK. In this respect, the immature experiences of the first trend of Americanization, with e.g. alien mercenaries, seems to have worked as a shield against a second stage of Americanization, more shaped by a ballyhooed management. In the wake of a certain resistance of the NHL-culture, Rögle BK seems to have developed a ‘glocal’ hockey culture, captured in the Rögle BK Oiler’ logo.