Djurgården Hockey has finished its assessment of its first SHL season back after promotion. Assistant sports director Marcus Due-Boje praised the coaches for maximizing an inexperienced roster amid ups and downs. The review highlights strong fan support and standout juniors as positives.
Three weeks after Djurgården's SHL playoff run ended with losses to Malmö on March 21, assistant sports chief Marcus Due-Boje and Niklas Wikegård reviewed the campaign. Due-Boje credited coaches Robert Kimby, Michael Holmqvist, Patrik Andersson, and Micce Andréasson for extracting maximum effort from a largely novice SHL squad. Only Joey LaLeggia, Jeppe Pettersson, and later Philip Holm had prior top-flight experience in Sweden, he noted to Hockeynews.se. The team started strong in autumn, winning tight games through aggression and work ethic, briefly topping standings and fueling fan dreams of contention. A midseason slump from late November to late January brought losses and criticism, yet Due-Boje described an internal calm, with solid daily operations intact. Recovery came after juniors returned from the world championships, highlighted by a 3-1 win at Färjestad on January 10. Fan buzz exceeded expectations, with packed arenas and high energy at Hovet, Due-Boje said. Juniors Viggo Björck, Victor Eklund, and Anton Frondell shone brightly—Frondell scoring 20 goals—bolstering the group's spirit. Injuries plagued veterans like Marcus Krüger, who faces likely surgery, and possibly Charles Hudon. Looking ahead, Due-Boje anticipates growth from the learning curve in this tough league. Junior Theo Stockselius earned a rookie deal late-season and could feature next year if he competes well. Some prospects eye North American moves, while Norwegians Mathias Emilio Pettersen and Håvard Salsten prepare for world championships under Patrick Thoresen.
