Nils Nilsson has died at the age of 81 ©Wikipedia

Swedish ice hockey legend Nils Nilsson has died at the age of 81 following a short illness.

Nilsson, known as "Dubblel-Nisse", is considered as one of the greatest international players the country has ever produced.

The centre won an Olympic silver medal at Innsbruck 1964, missing out on gold to the Soviet Union in a final group stage.

He also won two World Championship gold medals, in Moscow in 1957 and Colorado Springs/Denver in 1962.

At the latter event the game for which he is most famous was contested, as the Swedes defeated Canada 5-3.

Nils Nilsson, left, being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2002 by President René Fasel ©IIHF
Nils Nilsson, left, being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2002 by President René Fasel ©IIHF

Nilsson scored early in the second period to make it 3-0 and later secured the win with an empty-net strike.

This sealed Sweden's first win over Canada in 13 attempts, stretching back to 1931.

They went on to win the World Championship on American soil with seven victories from seven.

In 2002, Nilsson was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.

He also won two silver medals and two bronzes at World Championship level, playing for club sides Forshaga IF
IK Göta and Leksands IF.

Nilsson was also a talented footballer, turning out for Swedish clubs including Djurgårdens IF.