Roger Rönnberg was hired as head coach to finally guide Fribourg-Gottéron to the first championship title in the club’s history. The team from the Sarine region has played continuously in Switzerland’s top hockey league since 1980—longer than any other club. But a Swiss championship title has so far eluded the Dragons. Although last year’s Spengler Cup triumph ended their long title drought, Fribourg is still waiting for a national championship. Now, Swedish coach Roger Rönnberg is expected to make it happen—the first Scandinavian coach in Gottéron since 1996. But before that, Fribourg hopes to defend its Spengler Cup title in the final week of the year.

Rönnberg himself brings plenty of experience and success. As assistant coach, he won three World Championship medals with the Swedish national team between 2009 and 2011. As head coach of Sweden’s U20 team, he claimed World Championship gold in 2012 and silver the following year. In Gothenburg, he led Frölunda to two Swedish championships and four Champions Hockey League trophies. However, a Spengler Cup title is still missing from the 54-year-old’s résumé. What he narrowly missed in 2023 with Frölunda, he now hopes to achieve with Fribourg-Gottéron.

A few weeks before the tournament begins, we spoke with Roger Rönnberg about his memories of the Spengler Cup, his assessments—and his goals for this year.

Roger, you took part in the 2023 Spengler Cup with Frölunda. Which memories stand out most for you?

Oh, they are wonderful memories. I think of the Davos winter sun and the fantastic tournament with all those fans in this beautiful hockey arena. Yes, they are wonderful memories.

At that time, Frölunda was considered one of the strongest teams in Europe—a flagship club, multiple CHL champion. At the Spengler Cup, you were very close to reaching the final, only narrowly losing in overtime to HC Davos. Looking back today, would you prepare differently for that semifinal?

Our game plan was actually fine. We had really good scoring chances in that game and only lost by a very small margin. It was a tough result for us in the end. But I especially remember the opening game against Team Canada. We lost 0–4 and my players were in the red zone because of the high altitude in Davos, which really surprised me. That is definitely something we need to prepare for carefully.

Now you return to Davos with Fribourg-Gottéron as the defending champions—with a team that knows exactly how to play the Spengler Cup. Is it a major advantage that you as head coach—and nearly the entire team—already know the special atmosphere and rhythm of this tournament?

Yes, absolutely. I think it’s difficult to understand how this tournament must be played for someone who has never participated in the Spengler Cup. First, as mentioned, there’s the thin air due to the altitude, but also the peculiarities of the tournament itself. It is a tournament that every team genuinely wants to win; therefore, all the games are played at a very high level. That can surprise players and coaches who have never been part of it.

This season is particularly challenging: because of the Olympic break, many league games are packed into the schedule before Christmas, followed immediately by the Spengler Cup. Does this workload require special energy management for the players?

I think it’s fun, and it’s what the players love. They love to play games. That’s why they find the energy for it. I see it as motivation that we are allowed to participate in the Spengler Cup, and I am convinced that it helps us grow as a team.

Most of your players have already won the Spengler Cup—but you have not. What would this title mean to you personally?

It would be my first title with Fribourg, which would make me very proud. But I know it’s a long journey to play a perfect tournament, as Fribourg managed last year. My focus, however, is to prepare for the first game; as I said, the last time I participated, we lost it 0–4. That is my focus. And then we take it game by game.

Text: Spengler Cup-Onlineredaktion   Foto: Keystone