Former Red Wing Tomas Holmstrom coaching U-16 team in Sweden

Former Red Wing Tomas Holmstrom is the latest Red Wing to pursue a hockey related career after retiring. Holmstrom, 43, is the head coach of Norrbotten of the TV-Pucken League in Sweden. The TV-Pucken League is for 16-year-olds and under. Per the Pitea-Tidningen news website, Norrbotten won its first tournament of the year, Norrcupen. Norrbotten won the final game of the tournament 4-1.

Holmstrom joins Jiri Fischer, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Shanahan as a few former Wings to pursue a hockey-related career after retirement. Holmstrom would join Todd Bertuzzi in coaching after his career. Todd coached the TIEHL’s Oakland Jr Grizzlies U16, where his son Tag played. Nick Lidstrom was a consultant for Team Sweden for the World Cup; he’s done scouting for the Red Wings in the past. He’s also coached his son’s team. Jiri Fischer is Wings’ Director of Player Development and consulted for the Czech Republic’s World Cup team. Kirk Maltby is a pro scout for the Wings. Kris Draper is a special assistant to Ken Holland (GM in training).
It’s a huge gain for the hockey community to have Holmstrom get into coaching. Holmstrom coaching feels like a good fit, given how he’s mentored Red Wings players in the past. Holmstrom had a unique role on the ice and skated with some of the best minds in hockey. That’s valuable knowledge to pass on to the next generation of hockey players. After Holmstrom gets more coaching experience under his belt, teams in higher leagues in Sweden should have an interest in him as a coach, given his playing career. Holmstrom’s coaching career will be interesting for all Wings fans to keep tabs on.

Photo Credits: http://www.pt.se/sport/norrbotten-vann-norrcupen-10195160.aspx
http://www.norrbottenhockey.com/Nyheter/nyheterfrannihf/norrbottenvannnorrcupenforu16/