Visby Roma’s promotion to HockeyAllsvenskan carries a deeply personal storyline for one former Västerviks IK captain who played a pivotal role in securing the Gotland club’s historic ascent. Jacob Tenemyr, who captained Västerviks IK during their final HockeyAllsvenskan season before relegation in 2024, delivered the decisive performance in Visby Roma’s qualifying series clincher against Hudiksvall.
The former VIK leader scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 4 of the Hockeyettan playoffs final, sealing a 4-1 victory that completed Visby Roma’s 3-1 series sweep and earned them their first-ever promotion to Sweden’s second-tier hockey league. The goal came at LF Arena in Västervik, Tenemyr’s former home ice, adding symbolic weight to the moment.
Tenemyr’s connection to both clubs runs deep. He served as Västerviks IK’s captain during the 2023-2024 season when the Småland club competed in HockeyAllsvenskan before being relegated following a loss to Östersund in the Play-out series. After spending his entire professional career with VIK since joining their youth system, Tenemyr signed with Visby Roma ahead of the 2024-2025 season, bringing leadership and experience to the Gotland-based squad.
His overtime winner in the decisive playoff match capped off a strong individual performance throughout the qualification series. Visby Roma’s head coach Hans Särkijärvi praised Tenemyr’s impact, noting how the veteran’s composure in high-pressure situations proved invaluable during the tightly contested series against Hudiksvall.
The promotion marks a milestone for Visby Roma, who had never previously competed in HockeyAllsvenskan despite years of strong performances in Hockeyettan. Their ascent means Gotland will host HockeyAllsvenskan games for the first time in history, with upcoming opponents including traditional powerhouses like Leksand, AIK, and Modo.
For Tenemyr, the achievement represents a full-circle moment. Having helped Västerviks IK reach HockeyAllsvenskan in previous seasons as a key contributor, he now helps bring the league to a new geographic frontier while competing against his former club’s usual rivals.
The qualifying series victory was built on timely scoring and resilient defense. After Hudiksvall took an early lead in Game 4, Visby Roma responded when Hudiksvall’s Axel Levander received a match penalty, shifting momentum. The game remained tied 1-1 through multiple interruptions for ice repairs until Tenemyr’s overtime strike broke the deadlock, followed by two empty-net goals to secure the 4-1 final margin.
Visby Roma’s success continues a trend of Hockeyettan clubs breaking through to HockeyAllsvenskan, though few have done so with such a compelling narrative thread. Tenemyr’s journey from VIK captain to Visby Roma promotion hero adds a layer of regional intrigue to the story, highlighting player mobility between Småland and Gotland clubs within Sweden’s hockey ecosystem.
As Visby Roma prepares for their inaugural HockeyAllsvenskan campaign, Tenemyr’s leadership will be tested against higher competition. His familiarity with the demands of the league—gained during his time with Västerviks IK—could prove crucial as the Gotland club adjusts to the increased pace and physicality of HockeyAllsvenskan play.
The promotion too raises questions about potential future matchups between Visby Roma and Västerviks IK, should the latter earn a return to HockeyAllsvenskan through upcoming playoffs. For now, Tenemyr stands as a connecting figure between two clubs whose paths have diverged in recent seasons but remain linked through shared regional ties and his personal contributions to both organizations.
Visby Roma’s historic achievement will be celebrated throughout Gotland as the club transitions to hockey’s second level. With Tenemyr’s overtime goal still fresh in memory, the former VIK captain has etched his name into the promotion story while setting the stage for new challenges ahead in HockeyAllsvenskan.
Stay tuned for updates on Visby Roma’s preparations for their inaugural HockeyAllsvenskan season as they aim to establish themselves among Sweden’s elite hockey clubs outside the SHL.
Related reading
