– It’s a lot about being here and now, and it’s something we need to talk about together as a group, continues Hävelid.
– In my role as a manager, the basis is that I make sure I am clear with each player. They should know what is expected of them and feel that it is a role they are wholeheartedly committed to.
The Boxing Day is the decline of the JVM ice hockey tournament in Canada, which runs until the evening of the 13th. It will be the first championship of 51-year-old Magnus Hävelid as manager of the Junior crowns.
JVM rookie Hävelid, however, has been involved before.
Before Magnus Hävelid succeeded Tomas Montén as captain of the national team for the Junior crowns, he had the same role for Småkronorna, the U18 national team.
A trip that was very successful.
In spring 2019, Hävelid led the Small Crowns to Sweden’s first ever gold in the U18 World Championship. The historic gold was also secured at home in Örnsköldsvik.
Three years later he did it again. In Hävelid’s last WC as manager of Småkrona, there was another gold, this time in Germany.
– Two fantastic experiences of course, but success is a fresh product. It is not possible to live on old merits, says Magnus Hävelid and makes it clear that he would rather look forward than back.
– Every tournament is a blank sheet of paper, continue.
Photo: Johan Löf/Bildbyrån
Majority of Magnus Hävelid has spent his 25-year coaching career coaching youth teams at both club and country level.
What makes you enjoy being a junior coach?
– If we talk about a JVM team, there is a curiosity and joy of playing that is great to work with, says Magnus Hävelid.
– They are open to new ideas and responsive, and there is an educational mindset that permeates everything we do. These are the players who set the tone for the future and are sure to change the sport in different ways.
– Also, there are good players and people to work with who give me energy.
– If we’re talking about working with young people in a club team, it’s very rewarding to closely follow these players for a couple of years when a lot of things change in their lives. To be part of that journey and see how they develop as both people and players is fascinating.
Federation captain Hävelid keeps talking about why he thinks it’s fun to work with young people, but in the middle of the flow of words he laughs and says:
– Maybe I’ve already found out why I enjoy it so much.
How would you say today’s junior players have changed if we compare 15-20 years ago?
– I think people are basically the same from time to time, but the environment has changed. There are different people who want to influence players in different directions, and even if they want to, there will be a lot of impressions, says Magnus Hävelid.
– Musicians get a lot of feedback, but they themselves can sound very different and therefore it can be difficult to know who to listen to. Therefore, it has become increasingly important that players learn to select all opinions and impressions.
When Sweden he had to wait a long time for the first world gold in an U18 world championship, it was faster to conquer the first gold in a junior world championship. Already in 1981, Sweden broke the previous Russian dominance and became junior world champion.
But the second gold was delayed until 2012 and the third is still expected.
The Swedish team that traveled to Canada just over a week ago, and who meet Austria in their opening game, is not considered one of the strongest editions of a Swedish JVM team on a player-by-player basis.
The favorites for gold are, as is often the case, Canada and Sweden who play each other in the final group stage match on New Year’s Eve.
Read more:
Biggest JVM Missed Return: “Unfortunately, Turned Out No”
Guide for the JVM in ice hockey: the hunt for the third gold
