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Marek Hrivik’s departure from Leksand was dramatic.
Shortly after the SHL season ended prematurely, the 28-year-old had to get in the car and hunt across the continent to Slovakia, fearing that the borders of European countries would be closed.
But Hrivik came home and was quarantined for fourteen days.
I did not do my best season, but they show me a lot of support
Ice hockey and where he would play in the future did not occupy much of his mind as the crown pandemic spread across the world.
– With everything that happens around us now, I don’t know much. Are teams even looking for players for next season? I said to my agent that we should talk about what is happening a little later, he told Sport on March 18.
In mid-April, Marek Hrivik revealed that he has been in contact with Leksands IF and that the resort “is a very special place to play ice hockey.” During Wednesday, a bit in the shadow of Björn Hellkvist being introduced as the new head coach at Leksands IF, LIF released the news that Marek Hrivik has extended his contract until the 2021/22 season.
The relationship with sports coach Thomas Johansson, and the followers, were the foundations on which he made his decision.
So there will also be many rumors, if you continue with them, you might think that he had already signed with Malmö
– I’ve talked to Thomas since the season ended and I feel that he and the club really did everything they could to make me stay. I have a good photo of the club during the last season. Teammates, leaders, and everyone around him are good people, says Marek Hrivik, who continues to pay tribute to fans:
– After the season, many Leksands fans contacted me on social media, which has been a lot of fun to watch. I did not do my best season, but they show me a lot of support. Leksand’s supporters can hardly be seen anymore.
What did the interest look like elsewhere?
I was looking at Russia, but the situation is very uncertain there as for everyone else at the moment. So was Sweden in the end. There were other clubs that showed interest, but Leksand was the best for me. So there will also be many rumors, if you continue with them, you might think that he had already signed with Malmö.
Although Marek Hrivik was Leksand’s top scorer last season, he believes there is room for improvement for both him and the team as a whole. Last fall, he entered the new season, in a new league, after a concussion at KHL that caused him to miss much of the 2018/19 season.
– I hadn’t played hockey in eight or nine months when I came to Leksand. It took me a while to find the right one in my game, but I think I finally started and towards the end of the season I recognized myself on the ice, says Hrivik.
– The same with the team. Towards the end of the season we got up and beat good teams like Frölunda and HV71. We put pressure on Färjestad and although we lost, I thought we were the best team. Overall, we put the game together towards the end, and it looks like there is still untapped potential in many of the players.
I won’t bring the car to Leksand this winter. I will not do that trip in Europe again
What do you know about your new coach Björn Hellkvist?
– No more than I spoke to Adam Tambellini (Modoforward who played for Hellkvist last season) and heard that he is a good coach and person.
Thomas Johansson talks about playing high intensity hockey “give and go” – does it suit you?
– I have played in North America for most of my professional career, so that kind of hockey is nothing new to me. I am used to it
This week, Leksand players will begin to reassemble and begin preseason training in smaller groups. The question of when Marek Hrivik can fly to Sweden is impossible to answer in a bombarded Slovakia close enough.
– I have no idea when I can return to Leksand again, but probably and hopefully in August, says Hrivik, who only knows that the flights are valid this time.
– Yes, I will not bring the car to Leksand this winter. I will not do that trip in Europe again (laughs).
