The WC squad takes action after Alexander Reichenberg died

– We have received the message with shock and dismay, each and every one of us, says sports manager Petter Salsten of the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association to VG.

The news that 31-year-old Alexander Reichenberg has died was published on Sunday in consultation with his family. Less than a day later, Norway has selected the national team squad for the WC in the Czech Republic in the coming weeks.

– We have connected the health team and the coaching team to the players. There are some who have very close relations with Alexander and his family. It is heavy for many. There has been communication between the national team management, the health team and the playing squad today, says Salsten – who has also spoken to Hamar Arbeiderblad about the matter.

He says that “the ice hockey family is small and that everyone knows everyone”. Some of the players are already on their way to the Czech Republic, while the majority of the team will arrive in the WC country on Tuesday.

– Everyone in the squad has some kind of relationship with Alexander from the past. We are all affected. On the one hand, you have been looking forward to an upcoming championship – and we feel that we have a good team – then you get this sad news, says Salsten about the entrance to the championship.

Chairman Per Olav Andersen of Lillehammer IK says that the club opens Eidsiva Arena today to meet in grief over Reichenberg.

– Then everyone who needs to be around someone should have a meeting point. It is not a formal programme, but we want to be available to everyone who needs it, says Andersen to VG.

The club also monitors the playing group and the coaching staff.

– This affects everyone. Everyone must get the help they need. We are a small club and it is a small environment in the sport of hockey. So we become close. We see that this has affected all the teams in all the countries Alexander has played in. It is a sad, sudden and brutal situation for everyone who has been around him.

– How will Reichenberg be remembered in Lillehammer?

– It is one of the biggest profiles the club has had. He will be remembered as the artist he was to the public. He had a fantastic technique and ability to do the completely unexpected on the ice, says the chairman.

– He was also an important contributor to the environment. There is a reason why he was part of the captaincy team. He is also one of the most cheerful players we have seen on the ice.