Tag: Dennis Hall

Life after “Bulan”: Luleå turns to rookie coach Dennis Hall

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | September 1, 2026

Story Summary

Thomas “Bulan” Berglund, who served nine seasons as Luleå’s head coach and has been a long-standing figure at the club, has left. Dennis Hall steps in as Luleå’s new head coach; goaltender Matteus Ward welcomed the change, saying it will probably feel different but could be positive.

Key Facts

  • Thomas “Bulan” Berglund has left Luleå after nine seasons as head coach.
  • Berglund is described as 57 years old and long associated with the club.
  • Dennis Hall is the new head coach; the source refers to him as a rookie coach.
  • Goaltender Matteus Ward said: “There will probably be some differences, but a little something new could be good too.”

IHM Discussion

A coaching change after nine seasons is as much about identity as tactics. Thomas “Bulan” Berglund’s departure closes a long chapter at Luleå, while Dennis Hall takes over as a rookie head coach.

Ward’s measured reaction captures the immediate mood: the change will feel different, but fresh ideas could be beneficial. There is no detail yet on why Berglund left, how Hall was appointed or what changes he will make.

Hall now faces the familiar challenge of succeeding a long-serving coach: retaining what works while establishing his own voice.

Why It Matters

A long-serving coach’s departure changes the rhythm of a club, from daily preparation to the messages players hear. Hall’s arrival will put Luleå under close attention as his approach begins to take shape. Ward’s comments suggest that at least one established voice in the squad sees value in a fresh start.

Dennis Hall opens up on anxiety as Luleå’s new head coach

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 30, 2026

Story Summary

Dennis Hall, 37, will take over as head coach of Luleå HF in the coming season, succeeding club icon Thomas “Bulan” Berglund. He has spoken publicly about an anxiety diagnosis, his departure from a coaching job in Switzerland and the professional help he sought. Hall said seeking help and addressing his mental health was “the best thing I have done.”

Key Facts

  • Dennis Hall is 37 years old.
  • Hall will take over as head coach of Luleå HF, succeeding Thomas ” Bulan” Berglund, in the coming season.
  • Hall has publicly disclosed an anxiety diagnosis in an interview with a Swedish media outlet.
  • Hall discussed his anxiety diagnosis alongside the circumstances surrounding his earlier departure from a coaching role in Switzerland.
  • Hall said that seeking professional help and addressing his mental health was “the best thing I have done.”

IHM Discussion

Hall’s decision to speak openly about an anxiety diagnosis and the professional help he received is notable both for its personal candour and its timing. He is taking on one of the SHL’s most prominent coaching posts after leaving a previous role in Switzerland. His openness will draw attention across the league and may encourage wider discussion of staff wellbeing in elite hockey.

Why It Matters

Luleå HF are replacing a long-serving and celebrated figure in Thomas “Bulan” Berglund. Hall arrives at a club accustomed to high expectations, making the transition significant both on and off the ice. His openness could help normalise conversations about mental health in the SHL while he prepares for the demands of a major head-coaching role.

Mini Q&A

Who is Dennis Hall?

Dennis Hall is a 37-year-old coach appointed to succeed Thomas ” Bulan” Berglund as head coach of Luleå HF in the coming season.

What personal issue has Hall discussed publicly?

Hall has spoken publicly about an anxiety diagnosis and said seeking professional help was “the best thing I have done.”

Did Hall link this issue to his previous work?

He discussed his anxiety diagnosis alongside the circumstances surrounding his earlier departure from a coaching job in Switzerland.

What Comes Next

Hall will take charge of Luleå HF in the coming season. Attention will turn to how he settles into the coaching transition and prepares the team for the campaign.

IHM Final View

Hall’s public discussion of an anxiety diagnosis adds a personal dimension to his arrival at Luleå. He still faces the familiar pressures of a high-profile SHL role, while his openness offers a constructive example of mental-health transparency in elite hockey.