gable. Ove Molin completed his first training sessions for Brynäs on Sunday and Monday.
Together with Jörgen Sundqvist and Anders “Masken” Carlsson, he will try to save the club from staying in the SHL.
– It was clear that there was a lump in the stomach, says the club icon.
Brinas sacked the Finnish trio of Mikko Manner, Ari-Pekka Paguluma and Kali Kaskinen to qualify for the SHL.
The first of the best-of-seven matches against Malmö kicks off on Tuesday night in Gävle.
Ove Molin was within the organization as a player developer at Brynäs.
There were quick decisions that had to be made. It was evident that there was a mass in the stomach. I’ve been at the club all my life and now I’m going to put myself in the position I was in before. There were too many thoughts in my head at once. I had a choice to try to help the club as they wanted and they asked me to do it. Of course I had the opportunity to say no, but then I had to make a decision. Then I thought I know the players well and I know the game well. Ove Molin says: I thought it might be best if someone very close would join in and drive this forward in the final bit.
“feelings aside”
Did you feel pressured to accept?
– the press may be wrong to say. When the club actually popped the question, I was very careful to say that if that’s what the club wants and believes in, then so will I.
How do you prepare for a fateful match like this one, which is among the toughest you can experience in Swedish hockey?
– in the best way of all, putting aside feelings and other things for a while. We should try to get all the energy we can. It’s a very good help that I got by my side. The club also made sure that we were a good team and that we were calm and safe with each other. We will spread this calmness, our energy and above all our experience to the team.
Manner’s betrayal perception
Have you had any contact with Miko Manner?
– No, unfortunately not with Miku. I really hope I get this chance to talk to the three guys. This is definitely the most boring thing out there. At the same time, I have to go through this with my head held high and do everything I can and then some to help out the Brynäs.
Do you feel you have let them down in some way?
– Yes, of course. It is absolutely inevitable that the thought is there, but I do not. I really tried to be loyal and I knew I was loyal. I did everything I could, and then some to help out all the teams. It’s not just the men’s team that I’ve worked with, I’ve worked with the women’s team and the junior team.
What’s the biggest game changer with Ove Molin in the booth?
– There are many of us who would do this. We’ve looked a little bit at the things we’re going to try and screw things up with the guys. The players are the ones who have to do it anyway. They have had their say and there are no big things we looked at. Regarding the game, we agree that it is suitable and the players know what they are doing and so on. There are a few more other things that will be important, but we’ve made some small adjustments.
Rödin can’t play
What do you want to see from your Brynäs when the match against Malmö kicks off?
– We have Brynäs, I want to say. Naturally we want to see a team go out and play with hunger and desperation and that sends a signal to Malmö that we are ready to play. Malmö will also try to do so.
What are you doing to try to find joy and desire in this difficult time?
– I stick with my friends, my family, and this group. I’m trying to be as close to this community here as possible.
Uvi Mollen was previously the head coach of Karlskrona 2017-2019.
He also temporarily took over as head coach at Brynäs when Magnus Sundquist was fired in January 2020.
Captain Anton Rudin will not play in the first qualifying match due to injury.
