The last World Junior Championship roster to be announced among the usual top five powerhouse countries belongs to Sweden. The Swedish squad set to take the ice in Edmonton later this month contains a number of talented recent NHL draft picks and has depth at every position. Although Sweden must still cut one player before play begins, here is their all but finalized roster:
F Oscar Bjerselius (undrafted)
F Arvid Costmar (VAN)
F Noel Gunler (CAR)
F Emil Heineman (FLA)
F Simon Holmstrom (NYI)
F Alexander Holtz (NJD)
F Oskar Kvist (undrafted)
F Theodor Niederbach (DET)
F Zion Nybeck (CAR)
F Oskar Olausson (2021)
F Lucas Raymond (DET)
F Albin Sundsvik (ANA)
F Elmer Soderblom (DET)
F Jonathan Wikstrom (undrafted)
D Emil Andrae (PHI)
D Gustav Berglund (DET)
D Tobias Bjornfot (LAK)
D Philip Broberg (EDM)
D Alex Brannstam (undrafted)
D Helge Grans (LAK)
D Ludvig Hedstrom (undrafted)
D Albert Johansson (DET)
D Victor Soderstrom (ARI)
G Hugo Alnefelt (TBL)
G Calle Clang (PIT)
G Jesper Wallstedt (2021)
Sweden’s roster contains 19 existing NHL prospects, including a ton of high 2020 draft picks. With a number of top selections in the mix, this is a talented team that should make a splash. However, the name to keep an eye on may be 2021 prospect Wallstedt, who will look to top fellow WJC participants Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov not only with his play in the tournament but also by cracking the top ten in the draft this year.
It’s hard to miss Detroit’s presence on this roster; the Red Wings account for five members of Sweden’s entry, more prospects on one team than any other NHL club this year. Among the other dozen teams represented on the “Three Crowns” roster are the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings, who each have a pair of difference-makers in play.