Boork hints at Västerås

In an internet fans-forum, Leif Boork has hinted he'd be interested in taking over as head-coach in Västerås IK. The former coach/tv-expert/knowitall has not had a job since the HockeyAllsvenska broadcasts from TV4 was taken over by Viasat at the end of last season. He says he's doubtful they'd contact him and I admit I'd also be very surprised if they did. He hasn't had a proper job in ice hockey for quite some time (TV work does not count in this respect, sorry) but according to what he said at the end of last season ago when Leksand was looking for someone to rescue their qualification the top tier after getting rid of Kempe/Jonsson, he said he was way too expensive for them. As VIK is know to have a much more restricive enconomy than LIF, it's hard to see how they could possibly afford him even if they did want him. However, I don't think he's the type for VIK, even though he might actually be the right man for the job. He's made his name as a fantastic team-builder with an old-school authoritarian management style. Not forgetting he's a bit of a live wire...

The Boork

VIK could do with someone to shape the team they currently have, and for Boork it is a club in a perfect situation; capable players that are currently getting the basics wrong on the ice. We've seen Boork come in to do rescue missions before (Brynäs IF was the last example), a bigger challenge would however be to in principle set up an entirely new team and work for a promotion rather than to come in as a fireman to rescue the situation. However, I don't think VIK will ask him as the board so far have seemed to prefer a younger 'new' style coach in the team. Although Boork could actually be more of the type they need. But then again, the TV sofa is more comfortable than the bench.

AIK - Cause for concerns?

The financial plight of AIK has been well documented with savings of SEK 18M needed to get the club back into a position where they can clear their debts. One of the debtors is Solna municipality where they have rented training rinks from the council. According to the municipality, they have not paid their rent for the last couple of years and they have now kicked AIK out. Sadly this 'only' affects their youth set up as the men's team is playing and training at Johanneshov in Stockholm.

No black's allowed

The club is keeping stumm about the economical situation and what is done to sort it out. However, if this is anything to go by, they seem pretty shafted. To let unpaid rents kill off their youth set-up is surely ensuring a slow death of the club as a whole. Let's hope they don't end up joining their local rivals Bajen Fans Hockey (ex Hammarby) who had to establish a new club following bankruptcy.

I wish them well, but this is not looking good from where I'm standing.

No trotters in Ejendals

The infamous Swedish tabloid, Aftonbladet, has successfully dug up another pulitzer-prize winning story; Leksand's ice hockey team has recieved flu-jabs.

That's right folks. That's a story and a half.

In all fairness it's apparently the fact that through the team doctor, they have managed to secure the flu jabs, whereas other people will have to queue up at the local GPs or hospital. Some people are outraged that they have been able to get these before pregnant women, the elderly and otherwise more vulnerable people. It might be worth adding that there is no shortage of the jabs whatsoever, and the team has as far as I can understand not received state-subsidised medication.

In the UK, you can just pop into your local supermarkets or pharmacies and get the bloody thing for under a tenner. It should hardly need to be more complicated than that. But don't let Aftonbladet know!

If I'm going to pay for anything being injected into me, it wouldn't be something as boring as that. I'm open to any suggestions...

Verdict: Half of the team will be bed ridden for a few days after taking the jabs, and the other half will get what Desiree Jennings got and start skating backwards. This will possibly be an improvement of the performace of the team of late.

Slap my stick!

Hello all you puckin' hockey lovers!

When you thought the web couldn't possibly take any more self-indulgent rubbish, another crap blog comes along. 'Great... That'll be a great addition to credit-crunches and taliban beheadings.' Maybe so.

Anyway, I'll be meandering about the state of Swedish ice hockey in particular, ice hockey in general - all served with a good sprinkle of generic rubbish. Sounds good? Nah, I didn't think so either... But sod it. I'm taking a shot from centre-ice!