Ulf Lundberg has concluded his six-season tenure as head coach of the Swedish women's national hockey team, known as Damkronorna, without securing any medals for the national side. According to Hockeysverige, Ulf Lundberg acknowledged having little knowledge about women's hockey when he started in 2020. Erika Holst will take over as head coach starting next season.
Holst expressed her enthusiasm for the role, describing it as the most honorable assignment one can have. The reasons behind Lundberg's departure remain unclear, and his future plans have not been disclosed. Holst is leaving her position at Frölunda after this season, creating a vacancy that Jared Cipparone is reported to fill as the new head coach.
The people and the collaboration with both leaders and players are what really stick in my memories.
Cipparone is departing his role as head coach of MoDo after four seasons, with the official confirmation date for his move to Frölunda still pending. Frölunda won the Swedish Championship, known as SM-guld, last season. Jared Cipparone brings national team experience to his new role, having served as an assistant coach for the Swedish women's national hockey team in both World Championships and Olympics.
His departure from MoDo follows the team's season conclusion, which Aftonbladet reports ended on March 8 with a semifinal loss to SDE. Uncertainty surrounds Björn Edlund's future at MoDo, as he will not remain in his role as sporting director next season. According to Hockeysverige, Björn Edlund described it as no secret that he will not stay as sporting director, but whether he remains in another role is for others to decide.
My expectations were that it would be a very challenging assignment given the situation. There was relegation to the B World Championship and player strikes. I knew it was really something to sink my teeth into. I also remember being full of anticipation.
The specific role Edlund might have at MoDo next season, if any, has not been determined. The coaching changes reflect a significant shift in Swedish women's hockey leadership, with Holst's appointment marking a new era for Damkronorna. Cipparone's transition to Frölunda adds to the reshuffling, linking club and national team dynamics.
These moves come as Swedish women's hockey aims to build on recent developments and improve international competitiveness.
Exactly. That's how it was. I had worked since 2006 at the federation with a detour to Södertälje for two and a half years in Hockeyallsvenskan. Before that, I had only worked on the men's side, which I think I benefited from when I entered this job.
Professionalism. The understanding that it is a year-round sport. Looking at these years, both ahead of Beijing, but also ahead of Milan, we have had summer camps where we have been able to set high demands in all four areas: technical, tactical, physical, and mental. I would say that is the biggest development.
There are a few moments in life you want to experience again, the SM gold is one of them.
I am convinced that the women's team will not get worse because I am leaving, the operation does not stand or fall with one individual. Frölunda is a fantastic association with fantastic people, from the board and down. I hope and believe that I have helped build an operation that is impactful in the long run.
I have had four fantastic years in Frölunda. I am incredibly grateful that I got to come in and find the joy in hockey again.
Being the head coach of a Swedish national team is the most honorable assignment one can have, and I am very proud and happy to lead Tre Kronor dam from the spring and onward. A lot of exciting things are happening in the coming years; many good players on the way, SDHL is getting better and better, and at the same time the international calendar is being redrawn. It requires some new thinking, I think. So I look forward to the assignment, while I have full focus on Frölunda's season until then.
It is no secret that I will not remain as sporting director, I am pretty one hundred percent sure of that. But whether I stay or if it will be in another role, that is for someone else to answer.
Regardless of whether I stay in some form, it is important that we chart a path for what is to come. That we have clarity for the mission we are to carry out.