Even though the Olympics in Milan/Cortina are just over three months away, it is clear that both senior national ice hockey teams will change national captains after the season.
While men's captain Sam Hallam chose to return to club hockey starting next season – and Rikard Grönborg will take over – Lundberg did not receive an offer to stay.
“Taken a moment to think”
It is already clear that former national team hero Erika Holst, Frölunda, will take over after the Olympic season.
Six years is quite a long time and the way I work, if I had been asked to extend a third time, I would have thought about it. But I don't think it changes much, I just feel motivated, happy and a hell of a hunger, says Lundberg.
No bitterness?
Not in the slightest.
Regarding the successor being appointed, he says:
It's great that there are clear papers, then professionalism is what matters. I focus on what I can influence and when my contract expires I will wish the new management team the best of luck. But it's not time for that yet, he says.
The back star is missing
The women's national team will play the Lidl Hockey Games at home in Ängelholm next week. It is the national team's second tournament of the season, in Switzerland in August there were three straight losses. Just like then, matches against the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Finland await them.
Josefine Holmgren is making a comeback. The SDE defender has not played in the national team since 2023. Clubmate Ella Sköldebäck is a debutant.
However, star defender Maja Nylén Persson, New York, is missing. She is not yet fully recovered from the injury that kept her out of the World Cup.
Goalkeeper: Ebba Svensson Träff, Linköping, Tindra Holm, Modo.
Backs: Josefine Holmgren, SDE, Ella Sköldebäck, SDE, Linnea Andersson, Modo, Mira Jungåker, Ohio State Univeristy, Ida Karlsson, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Jenna Raunio, Ohio State Univeristy, Anna Kjellbin, Toronto Sceptres.
Forwards: Josefin Bouveng, University of Minnesota, Thea Johansson, University of Minnesota, Hilda Svensson, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Lina Ljungblom, Montreal Victorie, Nicole Hall, Penn State University, Lisa Johansson, SDE, Sofie Lundin, Frölunda, Sara Hjalmarsson, Linköping, Hanna Thuvik, Brynäs, Ebba Hedqvist, Modo, Felizia Wikner-Zienkiewicz, Frölunda, Mira Hallin, Modo, Isabelle Leijonhielm, Djurgården, Hanna Olsson, Frölunda.
