Max Friberg.
Photo: Michael Erichsen/Bildbyrån
Max Friberg.
Photo: Michael Erichsen/Bildbyrån
Max Friberg.
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT
Joel Lundqvist.
Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl/Bildbyrån
After Joel Lundqvist put his skates on the shelf after last season, there were plenty of candidates in the squad who could conceivably succeed the iconic Frölunda captain. At the same time, it was a big legacy to manage and big skates to fill for who it would be now.
The coaching staff’s choice finally fell on Max Friberg.
– It is very big for me, and a great honor to wear the C in a club and a team that I am really passionate about and want to achieve success and success with, Friberg said in connection with the appointment.
Before the season, the 31-year-old talked about one of the things he wanted to improve was his own scoring production. In Frölunda, Skövdesonen has mainly been associated with hard work, always putting the team first, and in terms of points his best record so far was 29 points (13+16) from the 2020-21 season.
A personal best that he has beaten with flying colors this season.
Max Friberg is now the team captain in Frölunda.
Photo: Michael Erichsen/Bildbyrån
Max Friberg’s explanation for the success
During the regular season, which ended the other week, Max Friberg was noted for 43 points (16+27) in 51 games.
With that figure, he is the best in the team and fifth in the entire SHL in scoring.
– I think that I and the whole team have grown the longer the season has gone on. It is a good environment. Malte (Strömwall, Friberg’s chain mate) is a productive, offensive striker and it is clear that it helps the production to be next to him.
– But overall, I think we have become a good team machine that just chews and goes. Now at the end, we have also started several who have contributed and it feels like we have threats in all chains now more than we had during a period a while ago, says Friberg.
You talked before the season about wanting to speed up the scoring production – what is your explanation for being so successful with that?
– A lot of training, a little self-confidence and being able to challenge yourself. It’s about daring to test and daring to trust yourself. If you have practiced a lot, you have to trust that there is something there that you can use. I don’t think it’s more difficult than that really.
Max Friberg and Malte Strömwall.
Photo: Michael Erichsen/Bildbyrån
Friberg about succeeding Lundqvist
Does it feel like you’ve grown up with the C on your chest?
– Yes, but perhaps not precisely in the (scoring) parts. It could probably be more that I haven’t thought about it as much but more about the team performance – and maybe that’s why it has dropped a bit. I haven’t given the point much thought. As a person and teammate, it is clear that you have had to take more responsibility and take on more in the dressing room, and you grow from that, absolutely.
How has it been to succeed Joel Lundqvist? There was a lot of talk that there were big shoes to fill.
– It is clear that it was, but my attitude has always been – ever since I was asked – that it is impossible to copy or do what he did. He is the captain of captains for a reason. There is no way to fill those shoes. But I have had great help from my assistant captains: Nicklas Lasu, Henrik Tömmernes, Christian Folin and also Lasse Johansson.
– It has been a common thing. We’ve been a quintet, plus a few more, leading this together and I think that’s been good. We have had many people involved in the team’s success.
Max Friberg in conversation with trainer Roger Rönnberg.
Photo: Michael Erichsen/Bildbyrån
Rönnberg proud of the team’s journey
After the victory against Skellefteå in the last regular season round, Roger Rönnberg talked about how he is impressed by the journey Frölunda has made, considering the great rejuvenation the team has undergone after players such as Joel Lundqvist, Jan Mursak and Ryan Lasch left the club.
Max Friberg is on the same line as his coach.
– It is clear that you tried to be calm and patient last autumn when you felt that there were high peaks but rather deep valleys. Once you’re in it, it’s hard to accept that it’s a process, but we got it right in the end and I think it’s been fun following a lot of people over the course of the season. Everything from the new players to the younger guys – they’ve really come in and made a difference. It has been fun to follow many people in this team.
On Friday evening, Frölunda steps into the playoffs. Leksand awaits in the quarter-finals – something that Max Friberg describes as a tough challenge.
Do you think you have more in you scoring wise in the playoffs?
– I don’t think we should talk in those terms. My attitude regarding points leagues here and there, both in the regular season and playoffs… it’s all about us winning and that becomes even clearer now that the playoffs are starting. You only count victories. Then it doesn’t matter who scores the goals or who is decisive. It is the victories that count and it is positive that many in this team contribute.
Skellefteå’s Oscar Lindberg won the SHL’s scoring league with 51 points in 50 games.
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