Tomas Holmström

Tomas Holmström was a specialist in front of the opposing goalArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceArticle in SportbladetRead the sourceArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose, known for screening goalies, deflecting shots and holding his position despite heavy punishment. Tomas HolmströmArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose grew up in Piteå, with a neighbourhood rink across the road. In a November 2014Article in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose interview with Hockeysverige, he recalled that his father had built the rink using timber from the sawmill where he worked.

In the same interview, Holmström recalled how Lasse LindgrenArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose brought him into Piteå’s senior team for the 1989/90 season. He also spoke about Mikael Renberg, whom he played football with while growing up, and recalled followingArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose Renberg’s hockey route from Piteå to Luleå.

Discussing his play in front of goal in the 2014 interview, Holmström credited Niklas WikegårdArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose with suggesting that role. He also described practising deflections after regular training sessions, for as long as the defencemen stayed behindArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose. The Swedish Ice Hockey Association’sArticle in Svenska IshockeyförbundetRead the sourceClose 2019 citation described the same work in front of the opposing goal: screening the goalie and tipping shots into the net.

In NovemberArticle in HockeysverigeRead the sourceClose 2014, Holmström also said he was mentoring young talents at Luleå Hockey, helping them prepare for their next step. In November 2016, Sveriges Radio reported that he was coaching Norrbotten in TV-puckenTV-pucken is a Swedish youth hockey tournament played between regional representative teams.Article in Sveriges RadioRead the sourceClose; in that report, he also recalled taking part himself at 16.