Updated 12:44 | Posted at 12:41 p.m
The SHL and SDHL held a preliminary meeting before the next season.
Coach Roger Ronberg started in Frölunda with a new play.
Life is much better without Joel Lundqvist, to be honest, he says.
Joel Lundqvist finished his football career and became a TV4 expert.
At the opening meet, which Sportbladet helped arrange, Roger Runeberg was asked what life after Joel Lundqvist is like.
– He got all of us in the club in a tight fist. It’s great now, says Roger Ronberg.
“The most musical remains”
Max Freiberg is the player who took over as captain at Frölunda.
– Max Friberg told us we picked it because it’s the most convenient, but we actually made lots, says Roger Runeberg with the usual twinkle in his eye.
Frölunda made major changes in the team when players such as Ryan Lasch, Patrik Carlsson and Loui Eriksson also disappeared.
We got the energy and rejuvenation we thought we needed. We wanted to develop the club the way we want to play. Training and leadership structures need to be updated. “I can’t believe how I’m really still in this equation, it’s still the messiest equation,” says Roger Ronberg.
Joel Lundqvist has spent 20 seasons at Frölunda, the last 14 as captain.
Favorites are Frölunda and Färjestad
In pre-season advice, SHL coaches believe Färjestad and Frölunda when it comes to SM gold, and the media bets on Färjestad.
Coaches believe that newcomer Modu will be relegated to the Hockey League and the media is betting on Malmö.
The champion of the past five years, Lulea, is the big favorite in the SDHL. 85 percent of sports directors and the media believe in norbotting.
The SHL begins Thursday, September 14th, and the SDHL premieres on Sunday, September 24th.