Vimmerby Hockey’s “Mulla” Milton Reflects on a Season of Change and Leksand’s SHL Battle
Michael “Mulla” Milton, a fixture at Vimmerby Hockey, recently shared his thoughts on the conclusion of the youth season, Vimmerby’s successful navigation of the HockeyAllsvenskan, and the tense SHL qualification series involving his beloved Leksand IF.
A Busy Offseason for “Mulla”
Milton, who serves as both caretaker at the VBO Arena and materials manager for Vimmerby Hockey, recently returned from a family visit in Kalmar as a busy weekend of youth hockey concludes the season. He noted the earlier finish compared to recent years, attributing it to Vimmerby HC successfully avoiding qualification this year.
Leksand’s SHL Status on the Line
As a dedicated Leksand supporter, Milton is closely following their best-of-seven SHL qualification series against HV71. The first game in Jönköping resulted in a 2–1 victory for HV71 , and the series continued with a crucial game in Husqvarna Garden.
Milton expressed concern over Leksand’s performance, stating, “It is with horror that you go into match series like this. It has been clear during the season that there is something that is not good in Leksand. And in the first qualifying match, they were completely inept for two periods. But they got going in the third and showed a game that raises some hope.” He believes the players may have been overwhelmed by the pressure and hopes they can secure a win in the second game.
A History with Leksand
Milton’s loyalty to Leksand dates back to his childhood in the 1970s, when Leksand and Brynäs were dominant forces in Swedish hockey. He became a fan after Leksand’s three consecutive SM gold medals between 1973 and 1975.
Balancing Hockey and Personal Life
While Milton typically attends many games throughout a season, he admits that his schedule has been challenging due to the overlap between Vimmerby’s season and his personal commitments. He jokingly mentioned that he sometimes resorts to painting when his teams are underperforming, rather than continuing to watch.
He did express a desire to attend a potential seventh and decisive game, stating, “If there is a seventh and decisive match, I will try to get hold of a ticket. It is the drama of the big matches that you want to experience.”
Looking Ahead to Next Season
Regardless of the outcome of the Leksand-HV71 series, Milton is anticipating an exciting season ahead for Vimmerby Hockey, with the prospect of hosting a classic big club at the VBO Arena. He drew a parallel to the previous match between VH and Djurgården, which drew a large crowd and enthusiastic support.
He playfully acknowledged the idea of operating the ice machine before a game between Vimmerby and Leksand, but ultimately expressed a stronger desire to notice Leksand remain in the SHL.