| Born: | March 23, 1958 | Draft: | 1978 Washington Capitals 55th Overall |
| Hometown: | Karlskoga, Sweden | Position: | Center |
| Known For: | Olympic Gold Medal | Shoots/Catches: | Left |
| National Team: | Sweden | Current Status: | Retired |
Bengt-Åke Gustafsson (born 23 March 1958) is a former Swedish ice hockey coach and player. Gustafsson led the Sweden men’s national ice hockey team as head coach from February 2005 to May 2010, winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 2006. During his North American playing career, he spent nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Washington Capitals, often called Bengt Gustafsson or Gus.
In 2003, the International Ice Hockey Federation inducted Gustafsson into their Hall of Fame as a player. He represented Sweden and won a bronze, silver, and gold medal at the World Championships. Upon retirement, he became a coach guiding several European teams to league titles, winning five straight Austrian Championships from 1994-1998.
The Capitals selected Gustafsson’s son, Anton Gustafsson, with the first of their two first-round picks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Bengt-Åke Gustafsson Statistics
Deeper Dive
- The Washington Capitals Franchise Four
- Game of Numbers: Washington Capitals Edition
- Best Washington Capitals Wingers: The Top 10 of All Time
- NHL Records – Fastest Goals/Assists – The Hockey Writers
- 4 Current Players Who Could Become Highest-Scoring Swede
Staff History
- Switzerland – Assistant Coach (1997 – 2002)
- VEU Feldkirch – Head Coach (1998 – 1999)
- SC Langnau – Head Coach (1999 – 2001)
- Färjestad BK – Head Coach (2001 – 2005)
- Sweden – Head Coach (2004 – 2007)
- Sweden – General Manager / Head Coach (2007 – 2010)
- ZSC Lions – Head Coach (2010 – 2011)
- Atlant Mytishchi – Head Coach (2011 – 2012)
- Nürnberg Ice Tigers – Head Coach (2012 – 2013)
- SCL Tigers – Head Coach (2013 – 2015)
- EHC Olten – Head Coach (2016 – 2018)
- Stjernen Hockey – Head Coach (2018 – 2019)
Achievements
- U18 EJC Silver Medal (1976)
- U20 WJC All-Star Team (1977)
- U20 WJC Silver Medal (1978)
- World Championship Bronze Medal (1979)
- World Championship Silver Medal (1981)
- 2x World Championship Gold Medal (1987, 1991)
- Elitserien MVP – Guldhjälmen (1990)
- 2x Elitserien SM Silver Medal (1990, 1991)
- Spengler Cup All-Star Team (1990)
- 5x Austrian Champion (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
- European Hockey League (EHL) Champion (1998)
- IIHF Hall of Fame (2003)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2006)