Jönköping, Sweden – Anna-Lena Isaksson has stepped down from her position as chairwoman of HV71, the Swedish professional ice hockey club, effective immediately. The announcement, made Sunday evening, signals another period of change for the club as it navigates ongoing challenges both on and off the ice.
The decision follows a notification from HV71’s nomination committee that they would not be seeking Isaksson’s re-election as chairwoman at the 2026 annual meeting. According to Anders Magnusson, chairman of the nomination committee, “After that dialogue, we came to the conclusion that Anna-Lena would leave her position now.” Isaksson served as chairwoman from 2024 to 2026.
Adding to the leadership shift, Jonas Askerlund is as well departing his role as a board member, having served since 2025. The club is now focused on establishing a plan for the continuation of operations and the selection of a novel chairwoman and board member.
Stefan Axelsson, currently the vice chairman, will lead the board’s work in the interim, as stipulated by the club’s bylaws, until a new chairwoman is elected. Axelsson addressed the situation, stating that the board, in consultation with the nomination committee, will formulate a plan for the future and outline the process for electing new leadership. Members will be informed of this plan within the coming days, adhering to the club’s statutes and democratic principles.
The club emphasized that work on evaluating the past season and preparing for the upcoming season will continue uninterrupted. This is particularly crucial for HV71, which has faced recent struggles, with both its men’s and women’s teams needing to qualify to remain in the SHL (Swedish Hockey League) and SDHL (Swedish Women’s Hockey League) for the past three seasons. The junior team also faced qualification challenges this year.
Isaksson has offered to assist with the transition and expressed her continued support for the club. “I have always worked for the best of HV71 and will continue to support the club as a fan,” she said. She also extended her gratitude to the club’s staff, praising their passion and dedication. “I wish the entire organization good luck in the future.”
This leadership change comes amidst a period of instability for HV71. The club has seen significant turnover in key personnel in recent years. The appointment of Chris Abbott as general manager was followed by his departure to the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL after only a few months. Björn Liljander was subsequently hired as GM but was later sidelined due to illness, with Fredrik Stillman serving as interim GM before also taking a medical leave. Johan Hult has since returned as the team’s sport director.
The club has not yet announced a timeline for the selection of a new chairwoman, but members can expect further communication within the next few days outlining the process. The focus now shifts to ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining momentum as HV71 prepares for the challenges ahead. The next official update regarding the leadership search is expected early next week, according to a club spokesperson.
HV71 has thanked both Isaksson and Askerlund for their contributions to the board.
Keep reading
