Lately, the World Junior Championship live has become synonymous with disappointment for Sweden. Despite owning the longest undefeated streak in tournament history at 54 round-robin games — which was snapped by Russia last year — and being the third-winningest nation in tournament history, they haven’t won a gold medal since 2012. They haven’t been completely shut out, winning three silvers and two bronzes, but they’ve gone medal-less five times in 10 years. For one of the world’s premier hockey nations, that’s an upsetting record.
Will this year be different? Major pieces of last year’s roster are ineligible to return, including leading scorer Noel Gunler and captain Philip Broberg, but they’ll be replaced by an incredibly strong crop of first-timers. The Swedes also possess arguably one of the best goalie prospects in the world in Jesper Wallstedt, who’s returning for his second tournament. Better yet, this year’s Group B is on the weaker side, as the Americans and Russians both look less intimidating. Slovakia and Switzerland look stronger than before but still don’t have the talent to overtake Sweden.
The World Junior Championship is always an unpredictable tournament and anything can happen, but Sweden will look to re-establish dominance this year after their streak was broken and will also want to prevent their gold drought from extending into double digits. Here’s a look at who could be responsible for that task.
Forwards: Sweden Has High End Skill Even Without Raymond
The big question surrounding Team Sweden is whether Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz will be allowed to return to the World Juniors. The pair, nicknamed “The Terror Twins” after their dominance when playing together, have been two of the most exciting rookies in the NHL this season. Raymond has been electric with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 21 points in 22 games, and although Holtz has mainly spent 2021-22 in the minors, he so far has six goals in seven games. At this time, it looks like just Holtz will be allowed to return to the tournament. It will be tough to see the “Twins” broken up, but it still gives Sweden an incredible goal-scoring presence up front.
Alexander Holtz, New Jersey Devils
Alexander Holtz has played six games with the New Jersey Devils this season (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
However, the Swedes won’t fret too much over the loss of Raymond. Oskar Olausson, a first-round pick by the Colorado Avalanche, is having a breakout season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts and will return for his second tournament. He’ll likely man the first line with Holtz and William Eklund, who is finally playing in his first World Juniors. He was expected to play last year, but a positive COVID-19 test cancelled those plans. The 2022 tournament was also up in the air after he started the season with the San Jose Sharks, but he since has been loaned back to Sweden where he’ll almost certainly join the national team before too long.
Related: THW 2022 World Juniors streaming Guide
Zion Nybeck and Theodor Niederbach are two other returnees who will give Sweden a huge boost on offence. Nybeck was expected to have a big tournament last year but put up just one assist in five games. This year should be different, though, as he’s already the national team’s leading scorer among forwards. That confidence, paired with his previous experience, should make him one to watch this year. Niederbach is another one to keep an eye on, as he’s in his second season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), and has incredible on-ice intelligence on and off the puck.
Despite having just four players eligible to return, the Swedes are still loaded with game-breaking talent. Boston Bruins first-rounder Fabian Lysell has been playing with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Vancouver Giants and averaging a point per game to start the season. Isak Rosén, a Buffalo Sabres pick, is a natural playmaker and has been one of the best U20 players in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season with Leksands IF. Winnipeg Jets’ selection Daniel Torgersson is a big, strong forward with excellent vision who has been a mainstay on the Swedish U20 National Team this season.
