KG Stoppel’s new role in Djurgården – Acting CEO

KG Stoppel was previously the sporting director at Djurgården.

He is now also acting CEO of the association.

– We came to the conclusion that it is the best at the moment, says KG Stoppel.

Djurgården failed to return to the SHL directly and is now preparing for the second year in a row in Hockey Allsvenskan.

Shortly after the final loss against Modo, Eric Ek took over as acting CEO after Thomas Kraft.

The agreement is in writing until August 31st and today Djurgården announces that KG Stoppel, in parallel with the stint as Men’s Sports Director, will take on this role.

– Regarding the change in May, KG was an option, but in this case all parties agreed that the dual roles of sporting director and CEO were too strong. We are now at a point where we collectively feel safe with this arrangement, says Ulf Grunander, President of Djurgården Hockey in a press release.

“Not many people punched me there”

They also announced that the process of hiring a new CEO has already begun.

– I received a request and after discussing it we came to the conclusion that this is the best solution at the moment. This way we can allow a proper hiring process for a new CEO to take place, KG Stoppel tells Sportbladet.

– Whatever it is, it always takes time, no matter who it is, to get into and understand the organization. There probably aren’t a lot of people out there who would hit me on the fingers when it comes to that anyway. I have such a long term background so I know how things work and I know our organization.

In May, you agreed that the dual roles were too powerful, but now you feel secure with the arrangement. What has changed?

– Then we just missed the upgrade and didn’t really know what team building would look like. Now large parts of the team are hired and we also feel like there’s a plan to move things forward with things that make it more manageable. There were simply too many uncertainties at the time. We have now gone further in those processes with both sports and other activities.

Is it possible, between the thumb and forefinger, to determine how long it will play the double roles?

– No, it’s actually until the hiring process is complete. I dare not answer that.

Are you comfortable with the dual roles in the season?

– I do. Especially with the people around me. You feel good.

This is the situation in Djurgården

What is the status of the team?

– We have two goalkeepers, thirteen forwards and eight players, one of whom is on trial. This is where we are. We’re still waiting to see what happens with (Alexander) Falk and (Ludwig) Hedstrom, as they find new employees.

So they won’t stay?

– no.

Modo has switched places with Brynäs in the series system and Stoppel expects tighter allsvenska hockey this year.

– Brynäs has the same expectations of it as we had last year and as the HV71 had the year before. Birch Leaves looks stable and good as always. Södertälje has made exciting recruitments. Westeras as well. It’s going to be a tough and tight series this year.

And you have less money to spend this year.

– Yes, a little money in part. On the other hand, I feel like we had to build a whole new team from scratch last year. We haven’t had much of a framework to talk about since the previous year. I feel safe now, because we’re pretty much going in with the same team. Obviously we have to replace talented rookies and someone else, but the framework is there. Linus Claassen and others, who came during the season, have been there from the start. Continuity is also a strength. That’s really the strength of Modo and Bjorkloven, that they had continuity on the player side. Same thing on the part of the coach. Now we continue with those who finished in a good way, says KG Stoppel.