In case some of you is interested in how the most beutiful SHL club, HV71, is going about their pre season camp, here is an all access episode covering their start to the pre-season. I'd say about 65% of this is in english, maybe the youtube subtitle function can translate the rest.
The interesting part is that they employed a very young head coach, Anton Blomquist, 34 years old. This is very unusual as the norm in SHL seems to be to only let dinosaur coaches circle through the clubs.
Their leadership group is mostly made up of a homegrown team of old players and leaders. The new GM, Chris Abbott, was their captain in the championship run in 2017.
Assistant coach Johan Davidsson is the franchise leader in most games played, most points scored, most assists, fifth in all time goals scored, 3 WJC championships, 1 time all star WJC, four time SHL champion, scoring leader in the World Championships 2007, MVP both in the SHL and the playoffs, SM-Liiga champion and Captain for HV71 in 12 seasons. He also played in the NHL for Isles and the Ducks.
He's also the all time assist leader in SHL history, and second in all time scoring.
Was the captain in 3 championship winning teams, and scored a goal in his first SHL game as a 16 yo kid. His jersey #76 is of course retired. One of the greatest players in SHL history.
5 all star SHL teams, Gentleman of the year, Gold Puck winner, PP specialist, and Locker Room Dude galore. Also was assistant GM for 7 seasons and assistant coach going on his third season.
Drafted #28 in 1994 by Ducks.
Assistant coach Fredrik Stillman played D 14 seasons in the SHL for the club, fourth in games played, Olympic champion and 2 time world champion. Captained 6 seasons and assistant captain 2 seasons. Captained their first SHL championship team in 1995.
2 olympic teams, 5 WC teams.
9 years as a GM, 1 year as a head coach, and 7 years as a assistat coach.
Also was a assistant coach for 6 years in the KHL and head coach for Admiral Vladivostok in 2017.
Most points by defenseman in the SHL 1997.
His jersey #14 is also retired.
Skills coach Chris Beech was a part of their championship team in 2010 and played for the club in 3 seasons.
Physical trainer Björn Melin played 13 seasons for the club, won 3 championships and famously scored his first NHL goal in his first game by deflecting a Teemu Selänne shot off of his foot and into the net.
Also won a World Championship.
Scored the championship clinching goal in the SHL 2004 and most points in the playoffs 2008.
Anyhow, if someone finds it interesting, I can post the next episode for you. In that, they are visiting a very old medieval town with history from the Vikings to play a pre-season cup. Just let me know if you want to see it.