I’m very excited to announce that two player-coaches have made decisions to join the Carlstad Crusaders for the 2011 campaign. The announcements were relayed from General Manager, Rikard Borg; one last week and one this week. Daniel Holmgren and Chris Vicory, both offensive linemen, are going to be two huge additions to the team for the Eurobowl tournament and the Super Series (Swedish Football League).Holmgren, originally from a small Swedish town about 350 miles north of Karlstad on the Gulf of Bothnia, was voted top offensive lineman in Sweden in 2010 after a highly productive year both playing O-line and acting as the offensive line coach. After his successful season he was offered a job to play for the Bern Grizzlies of Switzerland, and an opportunity to be co-offensive coordinator. Due to unforeseen circumstances Bern was unable to meet their end of the contract, and as a result the Crusaders landed one of the best players in the country for another year.
In addition to Holmgren, Chris Vicory has agreed to the terms of a contract and signed up to coach the offensive line and coordinate the running game strategy in conjunction with QB, Eli Cranor, and has the opportunity to play in the Eurobowl tournament due to the difference in import regulations in international play. Vicory enjoyed two successful seasons playing Offensive Line at Humboldt State University and immediately following his senior season joined on the staff, led by head coach Rob Smith, as a graduate assistant. Vicory’s endless ability to
dominate tasks, and his natural talent for understanding the game of football are what landed him this job. Personally, he is a wonderful guy to be around and as a result will be a superb addition to the ranks this summer.Holmgren and Vicory will prove to be two intricate additions to an already high-quality lineup that the Crusaders have. Two things are for certain with these transactions, the Crusaders just got a whole lot bigger and a whole lot better.
