We caught up with Per Viberg from SSK, one of our recent additions to the Never Offside family, to see how he was doing and how he has found his new role at SSK so far. Below you can read our dialogue as we went through a quickfire Q&A round.
NO: Hi Per Viberg, the new Commercial Manager in the long-standing Södertälje SK and former Club Manager in FBC Kalmarsund.
How did you end up here?
PER: After 6.5 years as club manager in FBC Kalmarsund, I felt finished with floorball. FBC made a fantastic journey but no other association caught on, organizationally or commercially.
I resigned without having anything ready and in connection with that SSK was looking for a commercial manager and right away I felt like this would be my next assignment.
NO: What about the interest in hockey - did you often watch league colleagues Kalmar HC and Nybro Vikings?
PER: No, but the interest in hockey is great. SSK is my first sports memory as a ten-year-old boy with the SC finals in 1985 and 1986. I am also a big New York Rangers supporter, having seen at least fifty games in MSG since 2005.
NO: You've been in for a few weeks now – what are the big differences between your current and previous roles?
PER: Hockey is a bigger sport in every way and SSK is a rich and fine association. Commercially, however, there is much to do! This is where the work we did in FBC is unique.
NO: What do you want to be your biggest impact?
PER: We must be a leading association and role model in Swedish hockey. Be at the forefront of digital development and that's why I want to continue working with you and want to take our collaboration to a new level.
NO: Finally - what do you want from the season when it's over?
PER: To feel that SSK has advanced its position commercially and sportingly. The question is not if, but when SSK plays the SHL again. The SHL needs SSK!
NO: Thanks for taking the time, Per. Best of luck for the season.
