Tuesday from 18.45: Watch Vålerenga-Storhamar on TV 2 Sport 2 or TV 2 Play.
He is looking for new triumphs, in a new country, a new city, and with a new team.
– It’s about proving something in a new environment. You know how quickly it can turn from success to failure.
In 2021, Fredrik Andersson was named coach of the year in Swedish ice hockey, when he coached Timrå to promotion to the Swedish top league. The following year, he was fired just before the team was due to enter the qualification game.
Now he is chasing National Championship gold with what TV 2’s expert Erik Follestad described as “the most expensive team of all time” in Norwegian ice hockey.
– Requirements are placed on trainers. I feel the pressure that we are going to make it a long way in the play-offs, and we have a goal of winning gold, says Andersson.
AIM FOR GOLD: Fredrik Andersson is clear that Vålerenga is aiming for a NM gold this season. Photo: Trym Isaksen
Positive surprise
The Swede has a background as both sports manager and coach at the two highest levels in Swedish ice hockey. In addition, he has also been a talent scout for the NHL club Buffalo Sabres.
He tells TV 2 about what it has been like to move across the border to Norwegian ice hockey and Vålerenga. He does not hide the fact that he was surprised by the level in the Fjordkraft league.
– It has been very nice. Getting to the Fjordkraft league has been a positive surprise.
He explains that he was particularly impressed by how consistent the Fjordkraft league has been this season.
– There are more good teams in the league than I had thought when I came here from Sweden. The top six teams have been very even, so I have gained a good view of Norwegian hockey, Andersson says with a smile.
SURPRISED: Fredrik Andersson was pleasantly surprised by the level in the Fjordkraft league. Photo: Yngve Sem Pedersen / TV 2
–De to store
After four straight victories in the quarter-finals against Frisk Asker, Andersson’s men play a tough semi-final series against arch-rival Storhamar.
Andersson says that he has gained an understanding of the significance of the rivalry between the clubs in Norwegian ice hockey.
– I have had it explained to me that these have been the two major hockey clubs in Norway for a long time. The Oilers are also there of course, but Storhamar and Vålerenga have a history.
He believes that the semi-final will be an emotional affair, both in CC Amfi and at Jordal.
– This means that many people are engaged in the matches. It is incredibly fun and exciting. Emotions will characterize these matches, he says.
– What will it take to emerge victorious from this series?
– It will be a long series. It’s going to fluctuate. Being able to be consistent and winning the close games will be a key, he explains.
– Not our highest level
Andersson is so far satisfied with his first season in Norwegian hockey. At the same time, he is clear that he wants Vålerenga to perform more consistently over 60 minutes than they have done so far.
– I think we have performed at the level I wanted from the team before the season, but we have also been a bit uneven in our game, and may not have played at our highest level in all the games. We can improve that quite a bit.
– But the tactical part of the game, and the defence, on which I build my game, the players have taken to it in a good way.
– Who will win the NM gold?
– That’s what Vålerenga does, he says with a sly smile.
Tuesday from 18.45: Watch Vålerenga-Storhamar on TV 2 Sport 2 or TV 2 Play.
