Against all odds, 7 months later.“The MD told me that the rehab would take time, up to 12 months, and that maybe I could be back playing. Against all odds I played 7 months later.”
Elite hockey performance · Player health · Team environment
The work around the player only counts if it shows up in games.
Magnus Ågren helps clubs find where performance is being lost: in preparation, decisions around player health, or the everyday environment around the team.
35+ years inside elite sportOlympic experience since 2000Seven SHL seasons as Head of Performance and Medical
Three places to look
Where is performance being lost?
In the work itself, in decisions around the player, or in the environment around the team.
01Performance development
The numbers improve. The game does not.
Testing and training look organised, but speed, durability or repeatability are not moving on the ice.
What is failing to transfer?Look at performance development 02Player health and developmentThe same player has three different plans.
Medical, performance and coaching staff are working from different pictures of the same player.
Who owns the next decision?Look at player health 03Player environmentThe player signs. Settling in takes too long.
Housing, family support, routines or communication are costing trust and attention.
What is the club missing away from the rink?Look at the player environmentStart with the game
Start with the player and what the game is showing.
Magnus does not arrive with a model to install. He begins with the player, the training week, the staff and what happens when the game speeds up.
The answer may be a change in preparation, a better return-to-play progression, one staff conversation or no change at all.
01What does the game show?
What changes when pace, contact, fatigue and pressure rise.
02What does the player need?
More physical capacity, a better progression, clearer support or a staff call that finally holds.
03What should change now?
One useful adjustment, a larger piece of work or an honest decision to leave it alone.
35+ years inside elite sport · Olympic experience since 2000 · Seven SHL seasons as Head of Performance and Medical
The perspective comes from years of work with players, performance coaches, GMs and teams across different professional hockey environments.
Current work keeps it close to the game. One club at a time. The work stays confidential.
What players and staff experienced
The work counts when the player can use it.
The player should feel the difference. The coaches should see it. The staff should understand why it happened.
The injury
Complex knee surgery in spring 2018, with an initial medical estimate of up to twelve months.
What happened next
Daily rehabilitation rebuilt the knee, the player's confidence and the demands of playing again.
Why it matters
The return was not rushed. The player understood the plan, trusted the work and was ready to play.
Kevin Clark
Pro Scout · Columbus Blue Jackets · Former professional player“He is one of the most knowledgeable strength and conditioning coaches I have had the privilege of working with during my 15 years as a professional hockey player.”
Ryan Gunderson
Hockey consultant · Retired professional · Swiss NL“Magnus is an outstanding hockey performance coach. During my time with Brynäs I experienced firsthand his deep understanding of sports performance.”
Jonathan Sigalet
Hockey Development Coach · Retired NHL player“He went over and above what is generally expected. Any team or organization would be lucky to have Magnus.”
Performance by design
People. Purpose. Performance.
The whole picture matters, but it still comes down to good people doing the right work for a clear reason.
People see different things
The player, coach, medical lead, performance staff and club leadership each hold part of the picture.
The reason has to be clear
What are we trying to improve in this player, in this team, at this point in the season?
The gain has to show up
Players know what is expected. Staff can explain the plan. The difference appears in training, availability and games.
Latest thinking
Latest articles from Magnus.
The newest writing published here. Open Insights to browse LinkedIn, The Coaches Site and Sunday Coffee With The Coach.
Latest · Website ArticleNo part is bigger than the whole.
The NHL has been building senior performance roles for years. In Europe, we still too often treat the work between the specialists as something somebody can do on top of their real job.
The Coach UnfilteredSame six reps. Four different sessions.The rep bracket is fixed. Tempo sets the time under tension and chooses the load.
Website ArticleThe parts are there. The seat is not.Most clubs have the specialists. Almost nobody has the person who makes them add up.
Private inquiry
Tell Magnus what is going on.
A few lines about the player, the staff or the decision are enough.
Magnus reads every message and replies himself.
Write directly
A few lines are enough.
Kept confidential.
What are you seeing, who is involved and which decision is difficult?