Swedish ice hockey player and coach
Ice hockey player
Leif Strömberg (born January 4, 1962, in Stockholm) is a Swedish ice hockey coach and former ice hockey player (forward and defence). Within Swedish hockey, he is regarded as an unconventional coach and a colorful character.[1] Besides having coached a long list of Swedish teams he has an international coaching career. His latest international job was as head coach for German Krefeld Pinguine in 2022.[2] Strömberg has often also worked as general manager for the clubs he has been the head coach for.
Playing career
Leif Strömberg, nicknamed "Strumpan"[3] = "The Sock", started his professional career in Hammarby IF's J18- and J20-teams, went on to Djurgårdens IF J20-team, and then back again to Hammarby. Following this, he had a long career away from Stockholm in several different teams in the Swedish Hockeyettan and Hockeytvåan leagues, and finally ended his career back in Stockholm again with Mälarhöjden/Bredäng Hockey / MB Hockey.[4]
Coaching career
Strömberg started as a coach in 1993 for IK Göta, the same year he ended his career as a professional player. He's worked as a coach all over Sweden, the longest stint being in Karlskoga for Bofors IK. In 2017 he began his international career as head coach for Norwegian Stjernen Hockey,[5] and has worked as head coach in Romania[6] and Germany too.
Personal life
Tragedy struck Strömberg early in his coaching career as he lost his fiancé Karin to cancer on January 19, 2000.[7] Working both as head coach and general manager for Bofors IK he was left alone with their young daughter Sofia.[8]
Besides his career as a professional player and coach, Strömberg has been an expert TV commentator for several Swedish channels.[9]
References
External links