Rikard Grönborg Set to Lead Tre Kronor as Sam Hallam Departs After 2026 Season
Sam Hallam will step down as Tre Kronor's head coach after the 2026 season, with Rikard Grönborg returning to lead the team, aiming to reinvigorate Swedish national ice hockey.
- • Sam Hallam will leave Tre Kronor after the 2026 World Championship to coach Genève-Servette in Switzerland.
- • Rikard Grönborg has been appointed as the new head coach, returning to the role after previous successes.
- • Grönborg led Sweden to World Championship gold medals in 2017 and 2018 and has a deep history with the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.
- • The coaching change aims to address challenges faced by Swedish hockey, with a need for adaptation to the evolving international landscape.
Key details
Sam Hallam, the head coach of Sweden's national ice hockey team Tre Kronor, is set to conclude his tenure after the 2026 World Championship, preparing to take on a coaching role with Swiss club Genève-Servette. Hallam, who has led the team since 2022 and achieved two bronze medals in recent World Championships, expressed a longing to return to the daily club environment, stating, “I miss the daily club environment, coming to the rink every day and working closely with people over time.” He plans to relocate part of his family to Switzerland, including his wife and youngest son, while remaining open to future opportunities within Swedish hockey. Assistant coach Stefan Klockare will also leave after this season.
In preparation for Hallam's departure, the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation has appointed Rikard Grönborg as the new head coach of Tre Kronor for the 2026/2027 season. Grönborg, 57, is a celebrated figure in Swedish ice hockey coaching circles, having previously led Tre Kronor to back-to-back World Championship gold medals in 2017 and 2018. His long-standing association with the federation began in 2009, progressing from a scout role to assistant and then head coach, giving him extensive experience at both national and European club levels.
National team manager Anders Lundberg confirmed the agreement with Grönborg but chose not to elaborate further. The appointment comes at a time when Swedish hockey faces challenges, including a seven-year absence from World Championship finals. Experts like Abrahamsson have called for adaptations in the coaching role to meet the evolving demands of international hockey, particularly as NHL teams increasingly allow players to participate in major tournaments. Grönborg’s proven success and adaptability are seen as vital assets to revitalizing the national team and navigating these changes.
Hallam has acknowledged that the next season, which includes the Olympics and the World Championship, will be pivotal as he aims to finish his tenure on a strong note. The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation and its leadership express confidence in the coaching transition and the direction of Tre Kronor's future under Grönborg’s guidance.