Persson had become a part of the community on Long Island, his only U.S. residence, and was so distraught about the trade that he decided, almost immediately, not to report to Winnipeg, and instead retired from the NHL altogether. Instead, he returned to Sweden and joined Sweden's big-league Borås HC, and was later given an administrative position with the team. After that he was asked to become the national junior team's general manager. He was inducted into the Piteå Wall of Fame in 2006.