Arne Grunander

As a youth, Grunander played football alongside Birger Sandberg, where he helped his school win the Crown Prince's trophy in 1937.^[1]

In 1948, Grunander took over as chairman of Djurgårdens IF Hockey and in his first year with the team helped them qualify for the then-highest league, Allsvenskan. From the 1948 season onwards, Djurgården won nine Swedish championships between 1950 and 1963.^[2] As Grunander saw his team dominating the league, he was one of the first instigators that argued for a new elite series of Swedish hockey. Although the proposal was first shot down, by 1974 the Swedish Hockey Association eventually decided to create the Swedish Elite League.^[3] At Djurgården's 75th anniversary, Grunander was awarded a merit award from Djurgårdens IF, the overarching sports club of all departments.^[4] Later in his career, Grunander helped recruit players from IK Göta to play for Djurgården, including Ove Malmberg who described him as a charismatic leader and hockey expert.^[5]

Grunander also served as a council member of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association from 1968 to 1978 before being elected President in 1978.^[6]

Although he died on 13 February 1987, Grunander was inducted posthumously into the IIHF Hall of Fame as a builder in 1997.^[6][7]

Grunander also worked in financial law off the ice^[5] and briefly as the IIHF auditor.^[6]