Örebro Hockey has announced Martin Filander as its recent head coach, marking a return to the club where he both began his coaching career and spent four seasons as a player. The appointment, confirmed Tuesday, brings Filander back to Sweden after a stint with EHC Biel-Bienne in Switzerland. This Martin Filander move signals a fresh start for the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) team, hoping to build on a tenth-place finish last season.
Filander, 44, most recently coached Biel-Bienne for a season and a half before being relieved of his duties in January 2026, Sweden Herald reported. Prior to his time in Switzerland, he held head coaching positions with IK Oskarshamn, VIK Västerås HK, and served as an assistant coach with Malmö Redhawks. His coaching journey began with Örebro’s U20 team, establishing a strong connection to the organization.
“We are very happy to welcome Martin as our new head coach,” said Henrik Löwdahl, according to the club’s announcement. “We have been following Martin for some time, he is at a good age, and we like what he stands for as a leader. Martin has too gained valuable experience, and we really look forward to starting a new chapter together.”
For Filander, the opportunity represents a homecoming. “For me, it feels a bit like coming home, and I am incredibly excited about this task,” Filander stated. “I’ve had good conversations with Löwdahl and really like how he presented the plans for the future. There is great potential here in Örebro, and it will be fun to meet both new and familiar faces.”
Filander’s playing career concluded in 2013, but fans will remember his four seasons with Örebro in the early 2010s. He brought a physical presence and defensive reliability to the team during his time as a defenseman. His transition to coaching was a natural progression, leveraging his on-ice experience and tactical understanding of the game.
The new contract extends through the 2028/29 season, demonstrating the club’s long-term commitment to Filander’s vision. This lengthy agreement provides stability and allows Filander ample time to implement his strategies and develop the team’s talent. The move comes amid speculation regarding the future of current head coach Niklas Eriksson, whose contract extends through the next season, but whose position is now uncertain, hockeysverige.se reported.
Filander’s experience in the SHL with Oskarshamn, where he led the team for four seasons, will be invaluable as he navigates the challenges of the league. He was recognized for his coaching achievements, earning the “Hockey Coach of the Year” award for the 2021/2022 season, according to Swedish Wikipedia. This recognition underscores his ability to motivate players and achieve success on the ice.
The appointment of Filander is a significant step for Örebro Hockey, signaling a renewed focus on development and a commitment to building a competitive team. His familiarity with the organization, combined with his proven track record as a coach, makes him an ideal candidate to lead the team forward. The club finished tenth in the SHL last season and were eliminated in the round of 16 by Luleå, so improvement is a clear priority.
Örebro fans will be eager to spot how Filander reshapes the team and implements his tactical approach. His return to the club is seen as a positive sign, bringing a sense of continuity and a renewed sense of optimism to the organization. The coming weeks will be crucial as Filander begins to assemble his coaching staff and assess the current roster.
The club has indicated that interviews with Henrik Löwdahl and Martin Filander will be available on their website shortly, providing further insight into the decision-making process and the plans for the future.
Örebro Hockey will begin preparations for the 2026/27 SHL season in the coming months. The team’s first official pre-season game is yet to be announced, but fans can expect updates on the club’s website and social media channels. The focus will be on building team chemistry and refining the tactical approach under Filander’s guidance.
This appointment marks a pivotal moment for Örebro Hockey, and the club’s supporters will be watching closely to see how Filander’s leadership impacts the team’s performance in the seasons to come. The return of a familiar face, combined with a proven coaching pedigree, offers a promising outlook for the future of the club.
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