Already 14 years ago, Björn Hellkvist was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Last summer, an operation was performed on Hellkvist’s brain and he has been on sick leave since then.
The plan was to be back for Leksand’s pre-season.
But it won’t be like that.
“I want to go back to work, but I have to find time to sort these things out,” says Hellkvist to Aftonbladet.
Instead, he has had to extend his sick leave.
— I clearly hoped that I would be back this week. But it didn’t turn out that way and you have to accept that fate is what it is.
— It’s quite private stuff. It’s in my brain and it’s connected to my illness. The last few years have not been entirely optimal. It’s been great though, I’ve had a lot of help, and now I’m hoping it gets better.
He hopes to be back for the start of the season.
— If I stress too much now, I won’t be able to do a good job. It’s better to make sure this goes well, he says.
Leksand starts the SHL season at home against Örebro on September 14.