Player development
Testing and individual player plans built around each player’s starting point, your club’s vision and the demands of your game plan.
Head of Performance and Health · Professional hockey
Not seeing the player development or return from injury your club needs?
I lead performance and player health, working directly with your players and staff in testing, training and rehab.
Each player’s plan starts with where he is now and what your team needs on the ice. I bring the specialists’ work together, make the performance decisions I’m responsible for, and stay involved to see how the player responds.
- Seven seasons as Head of Performance and Medical, Brynäs IF
- Almost 20 years in professional hockey
- Strength coach to Olympic athletes since 2000
Game day
- Physio
- Groin symptoms flagged this morning. Further assessment needed.
- Strength coach
- Load is within the plan, but performance is below his usual level.
- Player
- Tight, but I want to play.
- Ice time
- Up three weeks in a row.
- Head coach
- Needs a clear update before confirming the lineup.
- Who brings this together?
- Not agreed
Today
before the lineup is confirmed
Game day
Who turns these updates into a clear next step?
In this illustrative example, the coach needs an answer before confirming the lineup. I bring the relevant people together, check the information and give the coach a concise assessment: what we know, any identified risks and what remains uncertain. Our recommendation sets out participation, load and any restrictions. I then follow up the agreed actions and update the coach if the situation changes.
- The numbers improve. The game does not.
- Good methods are common. Keeping them in the club when people leave is harder.
- When a player is unavailable, the club loses options on the ice while the cost remains.
Good specialists need a shared plan and someone to follow it through. I take responsibility for that work: developing the methods with your staff, overseeing daily training and rehabilitation, and following up the agreed plan.
Four areas
Where I help your club.
We start with your players, how your team plays, and what we learn from testing and daily training. We develop what needs to change and build on what works.
Player health
Prevention, treatment and training considered together, with S&C, physio and medical working from a shared picture of each player.
Return to performance
A progression from rehab to full training and games, with agreed steps and regular reviews.
One performance system
Shared methods, clear responsibilities and daily follow-up, so staff can carry the work forward as players and personnel change.
35
years in elite sport7
seasons as Head of Performance and Medical, Brynäs IFAlmost 20
years of performance development in professional hockeySince 2000
strength coach to Olympic athletes
All season
Why better communication between your strength coach and physio is not enough.
When players stop progressing, it makes sense to look at their training and how the strength coach and physio work together. I also look at recovery, nutrition, movement and whether players understand the purpose of the work. These all affect development and need to be considered alongside the player’s health and role on the team.
Movement, recovery, nutrition and mindset, connected to what the game asks of each player. I work with staff to help players understand what their training is for and follow up how it is carried out.
Prevention, treatment, rehab and return to performance, until the player is back in his role at game speed.
Role, position, style of play, practice and games. We use all three perspectives to decide what each player needs.
One plan for each player, not one answer from each specialist.
How the system worksExperience through work with players and teams in
Who you would be working with
I have done this job from the inside.
For seven seasons I was Head of Performance and Medical at Brynäs IF. I learned how much it matters to have clear responsibilities when results are poor, players are injured and the staff needs to make difficult decisions. Today I work with professional clubs on site or remotely, in Swedish or English.
What I stand for
- The player does not live in departments.
- Specialists working together, with someone responsible for the shared plan.
- The club keeps its methods and knowledge when staff change.
Background, education and professional development
I have spent more than 30 years studying strength, speed, rehabilitation, movement and recovery, across schools of thought that do not always agree. That gives me options, and a common language with strength coaches, therapists and doctors. What goes into a player’s plan still has to fit the evidence, the game, the player and the people around him. What matters is knowing why I use something, with this player, now.
- Strength coach to Olympic athletes since 2000, chosen by the athletes themselves.
- Certified massage therapist, Axelsons Gymnastiska Institut, with sports injuries and rehabilitation.
- Poliquin International Certification Program (PICP), Level 3.
- Exos Performance Specialist.
- Certified in Applied Functional Science (CAFS), Gray Institute.
View qualifications and further study
Performance coaching and programming
- P.I.C.P. Level 3Poliquin · Certification
- PIMSTPoliquin
- Sport Specific Internship, Lower Body DominantPoliquin
- Olympic LiftingPoliquin
- Strength Training for SoccerPoliquin
- Exos Performance SpecialistExos · Certification
- Using Data to Individualize Group TrainingExos
- Using Data to Help Facilitate RecoveryExos
- Using Data to Drive Results in Energy Systems DevelopmentExos
- Advanced Strength and Power Featuring Dan BakerExos
- Certified Conditioning Coach (CCC)BioForce · Certification
- TriPhasic Training SystemCal Dietz
- RecoveryCal Dietz
- Elite Aerobic Health: Implementation and Concepts of General Preparation Phases (GPP)Cal Dietz
- Speed Training for Elite Performance: Part 1, The Spring Ankle ModelCal Dietz
- Peaking MethodCal Dietz
- Tactical TrainingCal Dietz
- Certified Kettlebell InstructorEleiko · Certification
- Certified Personal TrainerFitness-Education · Certification
- Personal Trainer, Levels 1 to 3PT-School
- Advanced Personal TrainerPT-School
Movement and assessment
- CAFS, Certified in Applied Functional ScienceGray Institute · Certification
- 3D MAPSGray Institute
- Movement Screening, FMS, MAQ
- Certified Golf Fitness InstructorTPI · Certification
- Posture Pro Level 2
- Golf BiomechanicsChek Institute
Rehabilitation and manual therapy
- Certified Massage TherapistAxelsons Gymnastiska Institut · Certification
- RevolvingAxelsons Gymnastiska Institut
- RolfingAxelsons Gymnastiska Institut
- Sports Injuries and RehabilitationAxelsons Gymnastiska Institut
- Fascia/Connective Tissue MassageAxelsons Gymnastiska Institut
- RPR Levels 1, 2 and 3Reflexive Performance Reset
- Trigenics
Broader performance education
- Biosignature PractitionerPoliquin · Certification
- Scientific Core TrainingChek Institute
- Gym InstructorChek Institute
More than 30 years working with coaches and athletes have shaped how I apply that learning.
The injury is better. The player is not back.
“He took charge of my rehab, pushed and motivated me every day. Against all odds I played 7 months later.”
Joacim Eriksson
Professional player, DEL. First estimate after complex knee surgery: 12 months.
How we start
What happens when you get in touch?
I only take on work I believe in. That means a clear mandate and a club ready to follow through on what we agree. If I don’t believe the assignment is right, I’ll say so and decline.
First, I want to hear your view.
What made you get in touch? Tell me what you are seeing and what you think needs attention. You may simply want to talk something through. There is no charge for the first conversation.
Agree on the scope.
If we decide to take it further, we agree on the scope, responsibilities and cost before any review or ongoing work begins.
Understand the club before changing the work.
When the agreed scope includes a review, I spend time with your staff, observe training and rehabilitation, and review the plans and resources available. We establish shared priorities and who is responsible for each next step.
We decide who will lead the work and what support your club needs. There are three ways we can work together.
Full
I lead the work.
I take ongoing responsibility for performance and player health, with the authority to set priorities and make decisions within an agreed mandate. I lead the staff and work directly with players and specialists in testing, training and rehab.
What this includes
I develop the methods, report to the GM or sporting director and give the head coach a daily update. I listen to what staff need, evaluate new methods and tools, and help the team learn together and put useful ideas into practice.
Together
Build it with your staff.
I take responsibility as interim lead while we review the work, develop methods and train your staff to put them into practice.
What this includes
Once the agreed way of working is established, we either hand over to a club staff member ready to lead it or agree that I stay on to lead the daily operation.
Light
Support the person leading it.
Your club retains responsibility for the daily operation. I support its lead and specialists with methods, difficult decisions and staff development.
What this includes
That can include reviewing what you test today, how the results are used and what needs to change.
The duration and schedule depend on the role. Daily presence is preferred when I lead the operation; a hybrid arrangement can be agreed where it supports the work. We agree reporting and decision responsibilities before starting.
The right arrangement depends on what your club needs.
Get in touchHe 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.
Kevin ClarkPro Scout, Columbus Blue Jackets, former professional player
Voices
Players and coaches I have worked with.
During my time with Brynäs I experienced firsthand his deep understanding of sports performance. He is dedicated to tailoring his approach to every individual.
Ryan GundersonHockey consultant, retired professional, Swiss NLI always felt like he truly cared about my well-being.
Jonathan SigaletHockey Development Coach, retired NHL playerMagnus always pushes himself to further his knowledge, to evolve himself and the players.
Johan StarkFormer General Secretary, Swedish Ice Hockey AssociationHe is always up to date and well read in his area of expertise, which makes you feel a great deal of trust in him.
Tommy JonssonFormer head coach, Swedish champion with Brynäs IFCurrent club assignments stay confidential.
What should still be working in February
Players ready to contribute, development that continues, and staff working from a shared plan.
The plan has to work when the schedule is crowded and players need different kinds of support. It should also help players and agents understand how your club develops players, manages rehab and takes responsibility for their care.
Professional clubs, one club at a time. Current assignments stay confidential. The named experience and testimonials on this page relate to my past work.
No. Your club’s information stays confidential. I bring experience from previous work, never another club’s private details.
The duration and schedule depend on the role and are agreed before we start. Leading the daily operation, building the system with your staff and mentoring its lead involve different commitments. Scope, responsibilities and cost are agreed in writing before work begins. There is no charge for the first conversation.
When I lead the work, I report to the GM or sporting director and agree with the head coach what the daily handoff needs to cover. I listen to the specialists, weigh their assessments against the player’s needs and the team’s priorities, and make the final call within my mandate. When needed, that means choosing a different approach from a specialist’s recommendation. I draw on experience across training, rehabilitation and player development, explain the decision and take responsibility for following it through. Medical decisions remain with the responsible clinicians; the head coach selects the team within medical restrictions. In a mentoring arrangement, the club’s lead retains operational responsibility. We agree the mandate and which decisions need to be escalated before starting.
No. The clubs I work with usually have capable, committed staff. What may be missing is a shared plan, clear responsibility for the daily work and consistent follow-up. I start with the people you already have. Roles only change if the club and the work require it.
I start with each player’s current abilities and needs, then look at what your club’s vision and game plan require. I review the testing and develop protocols that help us decide what to train and how to track progress. Each player has a player card bringing together the relevant input from all specialists. I work with the staff in training and rehab to see how the plan is being carried out and how the player responds.
A clear mandate, an honest picture of the club and a commitment to carry out the work we agree on. We look at the staff, facilities, equipment and support available, then discuss what needs to change and what that will require. The scope can be focused or broad, but the commitment to it needs to be real. I only accept an assignment if I believe in the approach and have the authority needed for my role. If those conditions are missing, I’ll be direct about it and decline.
Get in touch
Tell me about your club.
What made you get in touch? Tell me what you are seeing, or what you would like to talk through. You do not need a finished brief. A few lines are enough. I read every message myself.
- Confidential, NDA on request
- On site or remotely, in Swedish or English
- WhatsApp +46 704 244 414
- Prefer email? Write to me.
Recent writing
Articles from the season.
Adding is not a decision.
Before adding more training, look at how players are responding to the work already planned.
LinkedInSkill is patient. Tissue is not.
Which physical qualities need attention during the season, and which can wait.
LinkedInA season is either planned or answered.
The question after practice can decide whether the season stays proactive or becomes a series of reactions.
LinkedInThe High-Performance Human: ten decisions, a free brief (PDF)