It was not your typical medal ceremony.
Having just lost the World Junior Championship gold medal final to Canada in heartbreaking fashion, Sweden’s captain was not interested in a silver medal.
Lias Andersson, a 19-year-old New York Rangers draft pick, had given his all but came up short. Emotions were still running high when the youngster was to accept his medal.
In an unprecedented move, Andersson threw his medal into the crowd mere seconds after receiving it.
Lias Andersson gets his silver medal presented to him. Andersson takes it off and throws it into the stands! Emotions hitting the brink! pic.twitter.com/v8tmoqJDxa
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) January 6, 2018
The medal was caught by Bill Shaflucas, a hockey fan from Buffalo who was wearing three jerseys. Shaflucas took off two Team USA jerseys to reveal a yellow Sweden jersey – which went perfect with his new medal.
Absolutely legendary… Swedish captain Lias Andersson throws his medal into the stands to a guy wearing 3 jerseys ššš pic.twitter.com/WHzl0ePQn4
— Hockey Players Club (@hockeyplyrsclub) January 7, 2018
Though he was basically handed the perfect souvenir, Shaflucas kindly offered it back (after taking some photos with it). He flagged down one of the trainers to willingly give it back.
I did give it back! He may not want it today, but he will someday!
Posted by Bill Shaflucas on Saturday, January 6, 2018
“Heās worked all his life for this medal and even if he doesnāt want it, his family might,” Shaflucas told BarDown. “If they donāt want it either, than they can still send it back to me haha. Iāll take it then.ā
Given a chance to cool down before speaking with the media, Andersson still hadn’t changed his tune.
“I have a silver medal from the U18 Worlds and I haven’t checked it in two years,” said Andersson, explaining that he threw it to a fan that wanted the medal more than him.
Asked if he was glad he got it back, he answered simply “no.”
As for the reason why he was wearing so many jerseys? Apparently it was an inside joke with some buddies that he knew would see him on TV given his seat behind the bench.