Defenseman Niclas Wallin has decided to conclude his hockey career back in his native Sweden, thus finishing his 11-year National Hockey League career. Wallin will be going back to Norrbotten and Lulea Hockey. The defensive blueliner played in 97 regular season games for San Jose and recorded 10 points.

Vancouver Canucks' Henrik Sedin, right, of Sweden, shakes hands with his fellow countryman San Jose Sharks' Niclas Wallin, of Sweden, after the Canucks defeated the San Jose Sharks in the second overtime period of game 5 of the NHL Western Conference Final Stanley Cup playoff hockey series in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday May 24, 2011. Vancouver won the series 4 games to 1.

“We thank Niclas for his years of service with the San Jose Sharks,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson said. “He made a family decision to return home to finish his career and we have great respect for him as man and as a player.”

A Swedish report attributed this quote to Wallin.

“Moving back home will be a big change in our lives, but the family agreed that this is a good decision and we all look forward to coming home and becoming Norrbotten residents full-time again,” Wallin said.