Sweden’s elite talent looks to end cycle of WJC mediocrity
Sweden has had an underwhelming run at the World Juniors the last few years. But this year, things could change.
In each of the past three tournaments, Sweden has gone undefeated in the group stage. Unfortunately, none of that has translated to success in the playoff round, as Sweden has lost in the bronze medal game three years in a row.
Last year, they got pounded by Canada in the semifinal by a score of 5-2. They allowed nearly as many goals in that game as they did in the entire group stage. In 2016, the Swedes were edged out 2-1 by Finland in the semifinal, and then went on to get dominated 8-3 by the United States in the bronze medal game. In 2015, the team led by William Nylander lost 4-1 to Russia in the seminal, then got dropped in the bronze medal game to Slovakia, who won just their second medal in team history.
Sweden hasn’t won a gold medal since they took down Russia in Calgary in 2012. That team loaded with talent. The blueline was loaded with Oscar Klefbom, Jonas Brodin, and John Klingberg. Up front, the team boasted major depth with first round picks Filip Forsberg, Rickard Rakell, and Mika Zibanejad taking a back seat to Max Friberg, who scored nine goals in six games.
This year, the Swedes will boast a team with major upside. It’s likely the best team the country has sent the tournament in recent memory.
In the limelight will be the projected No. 1 overall pick for the 2018 NHL draft, Rasmus Dahlin. Beyond him, though, the Swedes will also have a blueline that features Timothy Liljegren and Erik Brännstrom, both of whom were first round picks at the 2017 NHL draft. Liljegren was expected to be one of the top picks in that draft, but fell because of a case of mononucleosis. He was forced to miss last year’s tournament, so this year will be his first opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage. Sweden’s blueline is so deep that Adam Boqvist, a player projected to go in the top-10 of this year’s draft, didn’t make the cut.
Up front, the forwards are highlighted by No. 5 overall pick from the 2017 draft, Elias Pettersson. He’s having a historically good season for a U-20 player in the Swedish Hockey League, as his 35 points through 26 games puts him at a point-per-game pace bested only by Kent Nilsson. Pettersson played a minor role on the 2016 team, posting one assist in six games, but will be a key forward for this year’s group.
Dahlin will certainly be the player to watch on this Swedish team, but the team boasts plenty of talented names at this year’s tournament beyond 2018’s No. 1 draft prospect. Though it’s difficult to call them a gold medal favourite at this stage, this a Swedish team loaded with talent that could be the best group the country has produced in years.
SWEDEN’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
GOALIES:
Filip Gustavsson, Luleå
Filip Larsson, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Olle Eriksson Ek, Färjestad J20
DEFENSEMEN:
Rasmus Dahlin, Frölunda
Jacob Moverare, Mississauga (OHL)
Erik Brännström, HV71
Timothy Liljegren, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Jesper Sellgren, Modo
Gustav Lindström, Almtuna
Linus Högberg, Växjö
Filip Westerlund, Frölunda
FORWARDS:
Elias Pettersson, Växjö
Lias Andersson, Frölunda
Fredrik Karlström, Linköping
Tim Söderlund, Skellefteå
Oskar Steen, Färjestad
Axel Jonsson Fjällby, Djurgården
Marcus Davidsson, Djurgården
Jesper Boqvist, Brynäs
Isac Lundeström, Luleå
Linus Lindström, Skellefteå
Glenn Gustafsson, Örebro
Fabian Zetterlund, Färjestad
Jacob Olofsson, Timrå
David Gustafsson, HV71
Lucas Elvenes, Rögle