Photo: Bildbyrån
Djurgården lost the derby against AIK in the hockey Allsvenskan.
Sports director Niklas Wikegård, however, received the most questions about the JVM talent Linus Eriksson, who left the club for Timrå in notable ways.
– We make room for someone who wants to play in Djurgården, he says in TV4 Play.
Djurgården had the opportunity to regain the series lead in the Hockey Allsvenskan with a victory against rivals AIK, but it went as it usually does when there is a derby. “Gnaget” won 4-1 and Djurgården is the new second in the table after Karlskoga.
Niklas Wikegård about Linus Eriksson
Niklas Wikegårddirector of sports in Djurgården, was interviewed on TV4 Play about the slight turmoil that arose in the club when the news that the JVM star Linus Eriksson18, suddenly would leave in the middle of the season came out. He is said to have finished with the SHL team Timrå starting next season, and when Djurgården found out, they loaned him out for the rest of this season as well.
– Linus Eriksson is a fantastic person, and a good hockey player. What happens is that we were not involved in the process going forward, we find out that Linus has decided that he wants to play in another club, Timrå, says Wikegård.
READ MORE: JVM star Linus Eriksson is leaving Djurgården immediately
Since Eriksson had already finished with the SHL team without Djurgården knowing about it, the sporting management thought he might as well play now, if he still didn’t have his head in the right place.
– Then we feel that if he wants to play in Timrå in three and a half months, then he can play in Timrå already now, so we make room for someone who wants to play in Djurgården, says Wikegård.
Djurgården wants reinforcements
The well-known sports manager now believes that young people who Anton Frondell and Eric Nilson may get the chance to play instead of Linus Eriksson. In addition, it may become relevant with a new acquisition on the forward front. The club has made a supporter fundraiser to bring in reinforcements either this season or next.
– His resignation was not so dramatic. Basically, if you don’t want to play in our association, you shouldn’t play in Djurgården. It’s sad when it happens, Linus is a great guy, but we wish him the best of luck in Timrå, says Niklas Wikegård.
READ MORE: Chris Härenstam’s serious words after the great criticism during the JVM
Linus Eriksson’s best friend in Djurgården, with whom he also played in JVM, is Victor Eklund. Now he also speaks out about Eriksson’s fate.
– Best friend who disappears. It’s really boring. Of course it takes a while at first, but it will pass. But he did what he thought was best for him. I will support him as a friend and wish him luck, he says to Expressen.
How do you think Djurgården handled this? Could it have been solved any other way? Feel free to comment on Sportbibeln’s Facebook page. Share and like-mark the article.
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