Tomas Holmström, the former Stanley Cup winner, will remain as head coach of Piteå HC for the next season following a successful mid-season appointment. The club achieved playoffs under his leadership despite starting at the bottom of the table. The extension for Holmström and assistant Daniel Rankvist is set to be announced soon.
Tomas Holmström joined Piteå HC midway through the season in mid-January, taking over as head coach when the Hockeyettan team was struggling at the bottom of the standings. Under his guidance, Piteå managed to secure a playoff spot and advanced to the eighth-finals, where they were eliminated by Kalix in the opening round.
Holmström, often called "Homer," brings a storied background from his playing days. He began with Piteå's senior team before moving to Boden and then Luleå, where he contributed to the 1996 SM-guld title. His professional career peaked with the Detroit Red Wings, earning four Stanley Cup championships. Additionally, he was part of Sweden's Tre Kronor squad that won Olympic gold in Turin in 2006, nearly two decades ago.
Prior to this role, Holmström served as an assistant coach for Piteå's J18 youth team and had no prior experience coaching senior teams. His colleague, Daniel Rankvist, offers slightly more coaching background, having led Rosvik in division 2 two years prior. Both coaches will extend their contracts through the 2026/27 season, according to reports.
This development comes as Piteå builds on the momentum from Holmström's arrival earlier this winter.