Ice hockey-Former Sweden coach Sandlin dies at 62

STOCKHOLM, Dec 28 (Reuters) Tommy Sandlin, who coached Sweden to ice hockey world championship gold in 1987, has passed away at the age of 62, Swedish media reported today.

No cause of death was given but Sandlin recently received heart treatment.

He coached his country in two spells, from 1978-1980 and 1986-90. Sweden's world championship triumph in 1987 in Vienna was the country's first victory in the tournament in 25 years.

''I obviously remember the gold in 1987 the best,'' Sweden's current coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson, who was part of Sandlin's winning team as a player, told Swedish public television SVT.

''Tommy was loyal and serious as a coach and person...It was too soon for him to pass away.'' Sandlin also won seven Swedish championships as a club coach.

Reuters SBA VP0150