Story Summary
Niklas Fogström has been appointed as Linköping HC’s new assistant coach, replacing Mattias Zackrisson after the latter left his post with immediate effect. Fogström has signed for the rest of the season and arrives from a coaching role with Färjestad’s under-20 side.
Linköping said the change followed a difficult start to the season, with sporting director Broc Little citing insufficient results and a need for improvement in the team’s offensive play. Little said responsibility for the performances was shared, while describing the coaching change as the decision the club believed was right for the team.
Fogström returns to Linköping, where he played during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. He also played for Mora IK and Luleå Hockey, and previously worked under Ante Karlsson while playing for Färjestad.
Key Facts
- Linköping HC relieved assistant coach Mattias Zackrisson of his duties with immediate effect after a difficult start to the season.
- Niklas Fogström has replaced Zackrisson as Linköping’s assistant coach on a contract running for the remainder of the season.
- Sporting director Broc Little said Linköping’s results had not been good enough and that the club needed greater progress in its offensive play.
- Fogström most recently coached Färjestad’s under-20 team.
- Fogström played for Linköping during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons and also represented Mora IK and Luleå Hockey.
- Fogström previously played under Ante Karlsson at Färjestad.
IHM Discussion
The appointment gives Linköping a former player with recent coaching experience in the club’s staff structure. Fogström’s familiarity with Linköping is part of the attraction, but the immediate context is clear: the club want more from an offence that Little said has not progressed as required.
The decision does not place responsibility for the start solely on Zackrisson. Little explicitly said that accountability was shared across the team’s performances, while the club nevertheless concluded that a staff change was necessary. Fogström now joins a coaching group being asked to help turn that trend around.
Why It Matters
Linköping have acted in season rather than waiting for a longer evaluation period, making the assistant-coach role an immediate part of their response to poor results. The club have identified offensive improvement as a specific priority, so Fogström’s work will be viewed in the context of whether Linköping can make progress in that area during the remainder of his contract.
Mini Q&A
Who has Linköping appointed as assistant coach?
Niklas Fogström has been appointed to replace Mattias Zackrisson as Linköping HC’s assistant coach.
How long is Fogström’s contract?
Fogström has signed with Linköping for the remainder of the season.
Why did Linköping make the coaching change?
Broc Little said the club’s results had not been good enough and that it needed more progress in its offensive play.
What was Fogström doing before joining Linköping?
He most recently held a coaching role with Färjestad’s under-20 team.
IHM Final View
Fogström’s return is both a coaching appointment and a response to an unsatisfactory opening stretch for Linköping. His existing connection to the club and his recent under-20 coaching work provide a familiar starting point, while the central task is helping a staff searching for a more productive offensive game over the rest of the season.