Mora's coach stuck in California

In fact, Johan Hedberg has never met the management of the Swedish hockey club. The negotiations, before signing on the coach contract, took place via telephone and video.

- It's modern times now with homework. But I got a good idea of ​​Mora and the people at the club, he says in an interview from his home in Los Gatos outside San Jose.

The 47-year-old talks about the tough quarantine in California, which is badly affected by corona.

- I'm not afraid for my own part. It may sound a little arrogant. At the same time, nobody knows what is happening. In California, otherwise Sweden's way of handling corona is a huge topic of conversation. Many are jealous of the Swedes.

Hedberg has daily digital conversations with Mora.

- These conversations are very much about clarifying the roles that different people have in the club. I try to get to know them and they seem to be good people with sound and wise opinions.

He has also talked to several of the players.

- Of course, it's better to talk face to face. But it's just like the situation and today's young people (the players) are used to communicating in this way.

It was in 1999 that the transfer class went to the United States for games in the NHL. Since then, he has been a permanent resident of the United States, with the exception of the 2004-2005 lockout year.

Now it's time to move home for good. One of his three daughters is already in Sweden. But no one knows when the rest of the family can come.

- This situation with Mora works well right now, but it is not optimal. We have tickets booked in June, but we don't know if there will be any flights. By August, when the team is on ice, I have to be in Mora.

The fact that Johan Hedberg is a Leksand profile who now trains Mora has not caused any major reactions south of Siljan.

- I had thoughts in my mind that there could be talk about it. But everything has been quiet. I've only had positive reactions, which is nice.

The plan is to settle in Mora, even though the family already owns a house in Leksand, five miles away.

- For me it is important to live where you work. I want to be able to feel the mood of the residents of Mora and understand how things work. In addition, you work more efficiently than wasting time on commuting.

Since 2013, Johan Hedberg has held various coach assignments in the USA. The last four seasons as goalkeeping coach and assistant coach at the San Jose Sharks. The fifth season ended with him and the other coaching team getting fired in December 2019.

- It was a shock and humbling when the conversation came. This is a useful experience to take along and makes me more humble in the coach role, says Johan Hedberg as he begins his first year as head coach.

- At the same time, we must remember that a lot happened in Sweden during the years I lived in the USA. For example, I do not know how young guys react today compared to when I was young in Sweden. Here I have to be humble.

He says that much of the initial coaching work is about creating a strong club feeling. That players and leaders should have a strong identity with Mora.

- I have no official placement goals. The main goal is for players, myself and everyone around the team to come to work every day with the ambition to constantly be a little better. We must be prepared to put in the work required to improve. At the same time, I will work very individually with the players to make them grow.