- Even though we have the goal and direction clear to us, everything is on the table, says Rikard Grönborg.
- I am not the least bit worried that it will become unclear, but I feel safe in this process. Then it can certainly get a little tricky along the way because we've never done it this way before. But regardless of the decisions we make, it is because we believe they are the best decisions for Swedish hockey.
In May, Tre Kronor's former national team captain Sam Hallam resigned after four years - which resulted in two WC bronze medals - when his contract expired.
When his replacement was announced, it was a well-known name. After four years as a coach in Switzerland and three years in Finland, Rikard Grönborg, who led Tre Kronor to WC gold in both 2017 and 2018, is now back as national team captain.
This time, however, the conditions are different, and that attracted Grönborg back.
- I had no interest in taking my old job with the same job description again, says Rikard Grönborg firmly.
- But just over a year and a half ago, Anders Lundberg (national team manager) started calling old national team captains to push and shove about how the job description for a national team captain could change. The more he talked about the so-called change in direction – directing resources towards management and building the team rather than a coaching staff – the more curious I became.
National team manager Anders Lundberg's thoughts about what Tre Kronor's future leadership organization would look like had been with him for a long time.
- The job description for a confederation captain has looked roughly the same since it was introduced, even if the hockey map has been redrawn. At that time, for example, the NHL was something they hardly had to worry about. Today, if you include the AHL (farmer's league) we have 120-130 players over there that a league captain has to keep track of and build relationships with. Of course, there are also the players in the SHL and in the European leagues, says Lundberg.
- And it is not only with the players that relationships must be created and maintained, but also with associations, sports managers, coaches and so on. At the same time, as the national team captain, you are also expected to be an ambassador for Swedish ice hockey and be available to partners and sponsors. When it all lands on one individual, it doesn't quite add up.
There were also other strong reasons why Lundberg started the change work.
- In the past, the requirement profile for a confederation captain has been entirely based on coaching competence, while during a season it is only seven weeks in total that they are a coach. And this is absolutely not cutting down on individuals, but as it looks in the clubs today, the coaches are now not responsible for building teams, says national team manager Lundberg.
- As the clubs' staffs develop, the coaches do not work with team building in the same way as they might have done in the 80s.
After many conversations with former confederation captains, other hockey experts in both Sweden and the rest of the hockey world as well as with other sports federations, an organization crystallized. Parts of it can be found in other countries' national team organizations, some parts remain from before, while others are completely new.
- My absolute conviction is that we do not become the best in the world by copying someone, or twisting a concept outright. But we become the best in the world by building in a way that suits us in Swedish hockey, says Anders Lundberg.
In short, it can be said that from this season Tre Kronor is led by a management group that is responsible for team building - what the team should look like, what player roles are required and so on - where Rikard Grönborg is most responsible.
In the past, assistant league captains were also employed, but now it will be a rolling system where coaches from primarily the SHL are brought in for various tournaments.
This season, Grönborg will also be mainly responsible in the booth, and thus for the tactics, the match and how to train.
- We have to decide what kind of hockey we want to stand for and get continuity in it. That's why I will be "head coach", he says.
However, it is not a given that he will remain in the booth next season as well.
- This is not a "Grönborg race", but what we have to decide is what is best for Tre Kronor. At the same time, as I said, continuity is important. When the players come to the national team, they must recognize themselves, and I will be very involved in creating that environment, regardless of whether I am a coach or not.
In the management group, Rikard Grönborg is joined by Tommy Boustedt, Nicklas Lidström and the analyst Jack Han.
- A group with great cutting-edge knowledge and with a large network of contacts, says Grönborg and looks satisfied.
For Tommy Boustedt, it was obvious to accept the assignment.
- Actually, I'm retired so it wasn't for my livelihood, says Boustedt, smiling.
- My yes is because I think it's so damn fun to work with Rikard and that I feel so much for Tre Kronor, says Boustedt, who during Rikard Grönborg's last time as the federation captain was the federation's general secretary.
67-year-old Boustedt took his first training course 50 years ago. Five years before that, in 1971, Tre Kronor had had its first national team captain, the Canadian Bill Harris.
At the end of the 90s, a first – and until now only – attempt was made to seriously change the national team organisation. Instead of appointing a national team captain for Tre Kronor, Peter Wallin was appointed general manager. Coaches were then brought in for each tournament/championship.
- Wallin did not come from the coaching bench in the way that Rikard does. So it can't really be compared to what we do now, says Boustedt, who at the time was a coach in Frölunda and in that role was one of those who got to jump in and coach Tre Kronor.
- During Wallin's time, we coaches took with us the game models from our club teams, which made it a little different from time to time. Now Rikard has a clear game model with him, and will at least initially be in the booth.
It was a slightly jet-lagged Rikard Grönborg who last week presented the season's first national team squad
This summer, the Grönborg family moved to Utah, where wife Dawnie has her roots, and it will be there that Tre Kronor's national team captain has his home and base.
On the plus side, it gives him the opportunity to closely follow the Swedish players in North America.
On the minus side, the possibility to follow SHL in the same way. In return, Tommy Boustedt will.
- With this organization we will be able to be more present in both the NHL and SHL, and at regular intervals I will of course also be there during SHL matches, says Rikard Grönborg, who last week was in Luleå and Skellefteå, among other places.
On Thursday, the national team season kicks off when the first tournament in the Euro Hockey Tour is played. In his first national team tournament since the World Cup in spring 2019, Grönborg will be joined in the booth by Malmö's Thomas Kollar and Skellefteå's Daniel Hermansson.
