Salo takes over AIK and Gozzi step down in the booth

After an unsuccessful qualification for the SHL may AIK set on the continuation of the game in Teams.

the club announced on Monday changes in the ledarstaben around the a-team. Tomas Mitell (head coach), Peter Nylander and Jeff James (assistant coach) and Robin Danielsson (goalkeeping coach) must leave. The head coach Mitells contract was one year with an option for another, the option does not make use of the club.

New head coach will be Jusso Salo, who takes a step up from the J20-team. Contract are written over the next two seasons.

– Even though I leave juniorhockeyn I will work according to the same philosophy. We shall stand for an offensive hockey with the high puck control and speed. In addition, I aspire to work close to the players so they can feel involved in developing both themselves and the game, " says Jusso Salo.

AIK hockey have their ceo Anders Olson comments on the decision:

" We need to start building an almost completely new team then many players will disappear because they are attractive to other clubs. We will of course do everything in our power to try and keep the ones we want to and can retain. Jussos strengths is that he has been working near and a lot with the younger players, he is good at developing individuals. If we should have more younger players in our team, it falls out naturally, " says Anders Olson.

it is also Clear that AIK is writing a new three-year deal with the sports manager Anders Gozzi.

" We have made an evaluation and concluded that it is important to keep Anders Gozzi as sports director. It creates continuity and we think he's doing a good job, " says ceo Anders Olson.

Gozzi will also serve as an assistant coach, a role he also had the season 2015-16.

– It is good and natural, Anders feels safe and comfortable with the role, " says Olson.

the Club have a strained economy, something the DN written about in the past. If, AIK Ishockey AB can't show up an equity of two million last april that fail to meet the requirements of the season and then threatens demotion for Hockeyettan.

" Not specifically but it is clear that it has a meaning. We need to be more cost-effective in everything we do and then it will be so that a person can get to do several things. But in essence, it is important that we find that these individuals are most suited for the jobs.

– For those of us in management is, above all, to work with the economy and ensure that we have a capital of at least two million last april. We shall also appoint the persons on the vacant positions. Then we start to look at the recruitment of players and to continue discussions with those who played in the team this season, " says Anders Olson.