Swedish Hockey League team HV71 has bolstered its coaching staff with the addition of Mikael Sundell as the pressure mounts to avoid relegation. Head coach Anton Blomqvist welcomes the move, highlighting its benefits in the final stretch of the season. With three games remaining, HV71 trails safety by five points.
HV71, currently at the bottom of the SHL standings after a recent loss to Leksand, announced on Sunday the hiring of Mikael Sundell as an assistant coach. Sundell, who spent the last four seasons in the same role with MoDo Hockey, joined his first training session with the team on Monday.
Blomqvist, who previously worked with Sundell as head coach at AIK during the 2021/22 season, described the addition as a positive step. "It is only positive for us to bring in someone who can contribute a different perspective on things and things. Moreover, it is someone with a lot of energy and who is really eager to help us," Blomqvist said in an interview with Hockeynews.
The familiarity between the two eases Sundell's integration, especially given the limited time left in the season. "That probably means quite a bit in this situation, since there is not much time regardless of how the season ends. That we already know each other and know how we work is positive," Blomqvist noted.
Sundell's primary focus will be on five-on-five play, allowing Blomqvist to shift toward a more overarching role in supporting the team. HV71 sits two points behind Leksand in 13th place and five points from Örebro, which is above the relegation zone, with three matches left.
Post-Olympic break, the team has won two of six games and ranks as the third-weakest in form over the last five rounds, behind only Timrå and Malmö. Blomqvist acknowledged the inconsistency: "Unfortunately, it has been quite up and down. Stability in performances has been lacking, and that is something we seek – that evenness we have not always achieved."
Avoiding playoffs would mark the third consecutive year of such peril for the club and the second for Blomqvist. He reflected on last year's experience: "There are surely things one can take with you. At the same time, it is nothing one wants – experience of playoff play. But if one ends up there again, one at least knows a bit more what it is about and what one can expect."
The team faces a crucial rivalry match against Färjestad BK in Karlstad on Tuesday, where strong defensive play will be essential. "For us, it is much about the defensive game and play without the puck. Those are parts we really must nail against such a good team," Blomqvist emphasized.
Blomqvist stressed maintaining focus amid external pressure: "Internally, it is mostly about shutting out the noise around us and focusing on what we ourselves can influence."
