Almen Bibic is presented on Thursday as the new expert on SHL broadcasts.
For the first time, the 30-year-old and Sy Moore are talking about the new collaboration.
– I feel like I’m seriously back in elite hockey, says the former backflip.
C More is changing up his roster with experts before the upcoming SHL season.
Almen Bebek is joined by Peter Runqvist, Niklas Wikegaard, Staffan Kronwall, Johan Tornberg, Sani Lindström, Fredrik Soderström and Mikael “Dagen” Ericsson.
– It’s great fun to get a chance to be a part of this team building. The challenge for me is to live up to their level, it’s a very professional environment. C More has put together a good group which gives added value to the matches for the spectators. It will require hard work. Almen Bibic says the task will give me the pulse and require preparation, just as if there was a match as a player.
“be myself”
For the past three seasons, as a resident of Ängelholm, he has been a coach on Rögle’s J18 team and Sweden’s U17 national team.
– I find this expert job to be an exciting and interesting challenge. Now I have the opportunity to closely follow Swedish hockey at the highest level, where the brightest minds are. My eyes must be constantly present. Almen Bibic says it will be a lot about presence, timing and passion.
As a player, he was known for playing with a big heart, and his personality stood out both on and off the ice.
What I want to contribute to television is my point of view and what I see. My idea is to spark discussions, spark debate and explain that everything is not black and white. I will be myself, says Almen Bibic, and this is the most important thing.
He wanted to silence the critics
He was a physical, self-sacrificing man who gave matches and took them.
– My strengths as a hockey player were the physical game. I had to play it, if I didn’t play it it wouldn’t do me any good. Many might expect that I will only talk about the physical game. Of course I’m going to talk about it, but I also think I’m going to present a different picture. Physical players are very important, and they are all required. But as a coach, I was too weak to play with the players. To be successful, you need to be able to play the puck as well and work together, says Almen Bibic.
Upon announcing the end of his football career in the summer of 2020, he wrote a colorful Instagram post: “#3 has taken out his last striker, handed his last open ice and paid his last fine to the Disciplinary Committee.. Sadly, I want to thank all the haters who sent so many… Of dung, you guys have kept me afloat at this level. You guys have given me the incentive to train more to shut up about you.”
There were many things that propelled me into my career, like making my parents proud and gaining some kind of self-respect. Those who hacked me and threw shit gave fuel, I wanted to show them. On difficult days, I put it out of my mind. Almen Bibic says the pressure to get revenge gave me one last push.
Finish at 26
At the age of 26, he was forced to stop due to repeated concussions.
How Almen Bebek actually felt, he never wanted to go into details after that.
– I didn’t really feel well, that’s enough. It just got better and better. I don’t want to look in the rearview mirror, but I do look out the front window. Because I am very happy with where I am today. Almen Bibic says: to start working as a coach and now as a TV expert.
However, he is more open about how mentally difficult the time has been after quitting as a player.
– I felt so bad that I had to stop and give up my playing career. It was very difficult. Leaving something that was such a big part of my life felt so empty, I think it’s deeply rooted in our nature when you’re part of something bigger and a group. It’s heavy and not fun when the headlights are off. I had to quit very early, says Almen Bebic.
Believe in Frölunda
What would you say as an expert about the upcoming SHL season?
It’s going to be a great season, joined by many great and notable signings. Frölunda has recruited well and Rögle has brought in some really heavy reinforcements. It will be smoother than ever.
“Smoother than ever”… Have you already caught the cliché well used?
– I hate it, but I’m very interested in basic statistics and numbers and they say the same thing. It’s so awesome. According to the statistics, there is very little difference between the teams, it’s a detail war there.
Which club will win SM gold in 2024, do you think?
– I think Frölunda will win. They are rebuilding now that Joel Lundqvist has finished his football career and is allowing many others to move forward. The team has a very stable back side, Henrik Tömmernes has been terribly good in the WC. Lacey Johansson in goal has also been very good in WC for extended periods. Frölunda also scored a good offensive line. Players like Gustav Rydahl and Carl Klingberg will add their weight in the attacking area. I also think the hiring of Linus Öberg is exciting. It’s a wide team and the rookie’s vigorous activity means players from the bottom can emerge.
He played for three clubs
Are you ready to be accused of sympathizing with Leksand, Rogel and Linköping?
– It is important to be accurate and objective. In this role, you have to come out of empathy. My job at Rögle is done.
Older brother Alen Bibic, who is two years older, lives in Helsingborg and works in the marketing department at Rögle after his football career.
Almen Bibic will be an expert in the studio and an expert commentator in the arena during C More broadcasts.
Compared to last season, Harald Luckner, who is mainly recognized around Hockeyallsvenskan, has finished as an expert.
