Edmonton Oilers' Oscar Klefbom breaks silence on status after three-year absence

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TJ Tucker
August 8, 2024 (11:17)

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After three years of silence, Oscar Klefbom is now breaking his silence on why he hasn't played in the NHL since then, and what is keeping him on the sidelines

The last time Oscar Klefbom suited up for the Edmonton Oilers was during the COVID bubble playoffs on August 7, 2020. Since then, he has remained silent on his absence, and never confirmed if he was retired or hoping to return to the game at some point. Finally, that has changed.

In an interview in Sweden, Klefbom, now 31, confirmed his hockey career is over. A shoulder injury he suffered in 2012 before he even came to North America after being drafted 19th overall by the Oilers in 2011 is the cause. Despite undergoing surgery, Klefbom says the shoulder never fully recovered, and he played through pain his entire NHL career.

"It is as it is. I wasn't quite done with hockey as a sport. But now it's over."

As for why it took him so long to announce his retirement, Klefbom said it was just too difficult mentally to talk about, adding he hasn't been able to watch an Edmonton Oilers game since leaving the team in 2020.

"It was a choice I made. I talked to Edmonton and said that I wanted to lay very low with what was going to happen and what the situation is. They were perfectly fine with that. From my side, it was also because I thought it was so difficult to talk about it.

I have barely watched a single Oilers game since I quit. It's been too hard. When I look, I just see myself there, see what I would do myself. It has been a struggle mentally."

Klefbom, who is now 31, lives back in his home country of Sweden. He told reporters he made enough money in his career to live a comfortable lifestyle, but he still dreams of working in hockey again some day in some type of management position. Klefbom played a total of 378 regular season games in the NHL, all with the Edmonton Oilers. He scored 34 goals and 156 points during that time. Klefbom also suited up for 16 postseason games, scoring 2 goals and 7 points.