Anton Johansson‘s Leksands IF had a rough season last year, finishing in 11th place in the 14-team SHL, but Johansson and Leksands’ coach, Johan Hedberg, told Hockeynews.se’s Andreas Hanson that the team still believes that it’s going to improve beginning this Saturday, when the SHL season begins:
At the SHL’s media season-start meeting in Stockholm, it was clear that many have low expectations for Leksand for the 2025-2026 season. In the annual experts’ vote, in which about a hundred media representatives responded to questions, among other things, which team will be relegated from the SHL, Leksand received as much as 38% of the votes–the most of any team.
But both coaches and players choose to turn the talk into motivation.
“We in our team believe more than you believe in us. And it’s going to be a good start,” said head coach Johan Hedberg.
Hedberg describes how the team uses the tip-offs as a driving force, and he believes that it can even be an advantage to start as an underdog.
“It’s easier to create a “us versus the world” feeling. If you go in with expectations and can’t live up to them, the height of the fall is worse. That’s when it comes starts to haunt you,” he told Hockeynews.
Defenseman Anton Johansson is on the same track.
“I’ve said it before that I like to be a bit of an underdog. I think we on the team are pretty confident with that as well. We aren’t favorites. We have a team that can develop throughout the season. I really think we will do it, and take big steps,” Johansson said.
Both coaches and players agree that there is great potential in the team – and that the season will be about building, growing and sharpening the performances game after game.
“We know we might not earn four straight wins, but we’re going to be in every game. So our panic is not as great as if Färjestad would lose four straight games. Now, of course, we don’t want to start with four losses – but you have to take it where we are and try to build something for the long run,” says Hedberg.
“It’s more than a fan than favorite. The team looks promising. I think it’s going to be a damn fun season,” said Anton Johansson.
