TV Profile to Lift Crisis-Hit Top Club

After 19 years as a major TV profile, Niklas Wikegård is back in Djurgården. Now he will make sure that Sweden's most championship-winning ice hockey team is back in the spotlight again. It's been a long time since I felt this much energy in my life, says the 60-year-old.

» Published: September 19 2024

TV Profile to Lift Crisis-Hit Top Club
Photo: Jonas von Hofsten/TT

He has been sawing, praising, been controversial, and become extremely popular with viewers as an expert commentator on SVT, Viaplay, and above all TV4 for nearly 20 years.

Niklas Wikegård says he has never closed the door to jobs in club hockey.

Since May 1st this year, he has been sports manager for a major club that is doing anything but well and is now preparing for its third consecutive season in Hockey Allsvenskan.

Djurgården is the club in his heart, and it was there he ended his career as head coach in 2005 before taking the step over to TV.

What attracted me to the question was to help Djurgården overall. It's something I've never done before, and that makes it exciting.

Will the Old Men Hold?

Wikegård is sports manager for the entire association, but the men's team is, of course, the focus, and a SHL spot is worth nearly 50 million kronor.

The sooner the better for a club with 16 Swedish Championship titles and which is struggling economically in the second-highest series. Last season ended with a deficit of three million despite a shareholder contribution of nine million kronor.

Many have raised their eyebrows over two of the new acquisitions – Dick Axelsson, 37, who returns after two seasons outside elite hockey, and Patrick Thoresen, 40.

For those who saw them at their best, it's mouthwatering – but the risk of recurring injuries is obvious at their age.

I hope not, they don't have that history. Together with the medical team, we're doing extremely thorough checks. You don't become more durable with age, you know that yourself, so their professionalism and how they prepare will be crucial.

A Situation Without a Super Team

He emphasizes the overall picture and not least the team's exciting junior players.

You can't forget... which Allsvenskan team has five juniors? What we and Robert Kimby (the new coach) have put together is a team that has both youth and veterans. The balance in the team feels incredibly exciting.

Many believe that this season is a dream scenario without a super team like last year's Brynäs or HV71 previously.

Of course, there is no super team now. But Hockey Allsvenskan has never been as good, there have never been as many strong teams as now. Many are sensing a new dawn, says Wikegård.

Not least Wikegård's Djurgården.

Björklöven: After last year's mid-season, they are making a big push in Umeå. They have recruited Färjestad's passing genius Marcus Nilsson, HV's sharpshooter Fredrik Forsberg, and a couple of high-class defenders from series competitors. More are also on the way.

Södertälje: Getting better and better for each season, but have not succeeded in the playoffs. Perhaps the main challenger to Björklöven and Djurgården.

Oskarshamn: Has the economic advantage of a parachute payment of six million kronor after being relegated from the SHL. The disadvantage is that the team has had to be rebuilt almost entirely. 20 (!) players have left, and 15 new acquisitions have been made. A tough job for new coach Björn Karlsson to get everything together.

Bubblers: AIK, Karlskoga, Mora, Nybro, Västerås.

Friday, 18.00: Oskarshamn–Djurgården. 19.00: Björklöven–Västerås, Östersund–Mora, Bik Karlskoga–Almtuna, Vimmerby–Nybro, Kalmar–Tingsryd. 20.30: AIK–Södertälje.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald

More news

Swedes Shine in Toronto's 6-2
1 MIN READ

Swedes Shine in Toronto's 6-2 Rout of Ottawa

Lindblad claims LPGA title in
2 MIN READ

Lindblad claims LPGA title in LA, wins $5.4 million prize

Piastri Takes Jeddah Win Ahead
2 MIN READ

Piastri Takes Jeddah Win Ahead of Verstappen

Barcelona Crushes Chelsea 4-1 in
2 MIN READ

Barcelona Crushes Chelsea 4-1 in Champions League Semifinal

Billborn Fumes: "Even in Division
3 MIN READ

Billborn Fumes: "Even in Division 7, That's Unacceptable"

Arsenal Delays Liverpool's Title Celebration
2 MIN READ

Arsenal Delays Liverpool's Title Celebration

Celina's Classy Goal Secures AIK's
2 MIN READ

Celina's Classy Goal Secures AIK's Top Spot in Allsvenskan

Djurgården's Fallenius Out for Spring
1 MIN READ

Djurgården's Fallenius Out for Spring Season with Fracture

Lewandowski Faces Three-Week Layoff, May
1 MIN READ

Lewandowski Faces Three-Week Layoff, May Miss CL Semifinal

Fleury Praises Gustavsson's Cool Composure
3 MIN READ

Fleury Praises Gustavsson's Cool Composure as Minnesota's Top Goalie

Ingrid Lindblad Tied for First
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Tied for First in Thrilling LPGA Tournament Battle

Swedish Players Shine in Stanley
1 MIN READ

Swedish Players Shine in Stanley Cup Opener Despite St Louis Loss

Verstappen Secures Pole in Jeddah
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Secures Pole in Jeddah After Norris Crash

Isak Struggles as Newcastle Falls
1 MIN READ

Isak Struggles as Newcastle Falls 4-1 to Aston Villa

Brynäs Edges Luleå in Overtime
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Edges Luleå in Overtime Thriller to Lead Championship Series

Rangers and Anaheim Dismiss Head
1 MIN READ

Rangers and Anaheim Dismiss Head Coaches After Missing Playoffs

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial
2 MIN READ

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial Win Over Halmstad

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken
2 MIN READ

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken Secures Second Consecutive Victory

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes
2 MIN READ

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes 12th Champions League Final

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two Goals in Malmö FF's 4-1 Victory Over AIK

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice
1 MIN READ

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice Hockey World Championship After Close Loss

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels
1 MIN READ

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels Him Up 39 Spots in Shanghai

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out
1 MIN READ

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out for Season After Knee Injury

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach
1 MIN READ

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach of Södertälje Sports Club

Robots Struggle in First Human
1 MIN READ

Robots Struggle in First Human vs. Machine Half-Marathon in Beijing

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's
2 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's Leadership in Tampa Bay

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with
1 MIN READ

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with Overtime Win Over Atlanta

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best Round at LPGA in Los Angeles

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's
1 MIN READ

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's Lead Over Moreirense

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve
2 MIN READ

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve Training by Canucks Coach Tocchet

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits World Championship in Brazil

Dallas Stars Face Playoffs Without
1 MIN READ

Dallas Stars Face Playoffs Without Top Scorer Jason Robertson

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find
1 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles to Find Form at RBC Heritage

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward for Alleged Spearing Incident

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World
2 MIN READ

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World Championship, But Confirmation Pending

Thoresen's Pep Talk Fuels Djurgården's
3 MIN READ

Thoresen's Pep Talk Fuels Djurgården's Stunning Comeback Victory