HV71 is grappling with significant player shortages as they prepare to face Frölunda at Scandinavium this evening. A combination of injuries, illnesses, and players participating in the Junior World Championships has left the team’s lineup severely depleted.
The team is tasked with fielding players against Frölunda, but several of its key athletes, including Isac Brännström, who is sick, and Tommi Tikka, who is injured, will not be available. This situation is compounded by the absence of three players who are away on JVM duty.
To address this player crisis, HV71 has opted to borrow four players from HockeyAllsvenskan. Notably, they have secured 32-year-old forward Marcus Bergman and 31-year-old Emil Forslund from the Nybro Vikings. Both players are familiar with the SHL, and Forslund has previously played for teams including Brynäs, Växjö, Färjestad, and Malmö.
Director of Hockey Operations Björn Liljander, recently appointed, has found himself thrust directly under pressure as he works to field a competitive team just hours before the matchup. The team is also bringing back Hugo Pettersson and Axel Landén from loan spells with Kalmar and Oskarshamn, respectively. This patchwork solution reflects the urgency of the situation as the team heads back to action after the international break.
The recent spike of injuries and absences has led to considerable instability within the squad, with as many as 32 players having seen action this season already. During training, Anton Blomqvist, frustrated with the team's dynamics, expressed his concern vocally, echoing the sentiments of many involved with the club. “Wake the fuck up!” was heard echoing from the coaching staff as they prepared the remaining players for the challenging match to come.
Despite these hurdles, team officials remain optimistic. Mikael Aaro, sports chief at Nybro, expressed his excitement about Bergman’s return to play. “It’s a wonderful push for our guys who get the opportunity to play SHL,” Aaro said, reflecting on the chance for borrowed players to showcase their talent on this elevated stage.
This urgency to fill the roster does not just extend to seasoned professionals; several junior players—Karl Annborn, Malte Gustafsson, Joel Abrahamsson, and Eric Nordmark—are also slated to travel west as part of the squad as they gear up for the league's resumption.
Even as the strain on the roster mounts, HV71’s management is committed to making the best of the situation. With the history of comebacks and resilience ingrained within the team, there is hope they can pull off the matches leading up to the turn of the year, starting with their meeting against Luleå on Boxing Day.
The challenges they face this evening against Frölunda will not only test their current squad but also serve as a litmus test for new acquisitions like Bergman and Forslund and the younger players being integrated.
Fans are hopeful for strong performances, especially from Bergman, who hails from Hovås and has family ties in Gothenburg—a personal touch to his return to the ice. The return of these players, alongside the tenacity of the team and coaching staff, might just spark the resurgence HV71 needs to regain momentum post-holidays.
