A few days ago, Almtuna, which also has a men's team in the hockey allsvenskan, announced that the women's team in the second division NDHL was being shut down due to strained finances.

According to the club, the decision was made because it does not have the opportunity to run a largely unfunded elite investment.

According to Almtuna's management, taking funds from other activities in the club would affect more players.

"All of us old men have a responsibility"

- I have great respect for associations having a hard time, but it's also about how you choose to look at women's and girls' hockey.

I think you need to make a certain decision in the boardroom that this is important for us to be able to grow and develop as an association and not see women's activities as a burden.

There, I think all of us old men have a responsibility, to understand that Swedish ice hockey will be strengthened if we are an even more equal sport, says Johan Stark, general secretary of the ice hockey association.

The announcement from the Uppsala team Almtuna comes not long after Gothenburg HC announced that the club is withdrawing from the top league SDHL.

"Really problematic"

- It is really problematic.

I don't have all the facts so I can't throw the associations under the bus.

But it is quite unique in ice hockey that especially teams in a top league withdraw after 13 rounds, it is in no way good.

- How an association in our highest league has to pack up after 13 rounds, it's clear we have to ask ourselves how the work with the review of the business linked to licenses and other things has gone on then.

In the NDHL, which are regional series, we don't have as much insight into the finances.

He points out that it is extra unfortunate for the team's players and opponents when teams are shut down during the current season.

- I really hope that it works out in the best way for the players.

That is the most important thing here and now.

Then we get to handle politics, elite licenses and review.

When things like this arise, the issue is raised in a new light.

It will be a confirmation that there is still work to be done.