2024 World Junior Championship Preview: Team Sweden

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

And for Swedish hockey fans, they hope to have a lot to celebrate this year.

For the first time since Malmo in 2014, the World Junior Championship is headed to Sweden, and it’s happening at a much-needed time. Sweden, as a whole, has struggled on the international stage, going from second in 2018 to sixth in the most recent IIHF men’s hockey rankings.

It’s a far cry from the dominance that saw them win a medal in at least one event almost every year during much of the 2000s and 2010s, but there’s more hope this time around. Even though the United States took them down twice in a row now, the Swedes did snag silver during the past two U-18 World Championships.

And now, with the best of the best from both teams merging together, this looks like one of the most dangerous Swedish lineups that we’ve seen in quite some time.

Leo Carlsson is still with the Anaheim Ducks, so it doesn’t look like he’ll be loaned out to Gothenburg. But if the team’s depth comes through, they might not need him, either.

Goaltending

*Hugo Havelid (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

The Swedes rarely have top-level goaltending at this event, but it’s never really a weakness, either. No matter who they go with, they should be fine. The best guess is that Hugo Hävelid – the brother of defenseman Mattias Hävelid and coach Magnus Hävelid – will get the go-ahead after a great summer showing. The 5-foot-11 keeper hasn’t been drafted yet, but he has always performed well with Sweden in junior action. Whether it be the WJSS, or the exhibition Five Nations tournament in November, Havelid hasn’t had a bad game with the Tre Kronor on his chest in 2023-24.

For a goalie with a bit more pedigree, Mekler Thelin (Arizona Coyotes) could make some noise. He won his solo start at the U-18s last month and has played well with IF Bjorkloven in the Allsvenskan. There’s also Kevin Reidler (Ottawa Senators), a massive 6-foot-6 keeper with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He keeps racking up wins there, even if they’re not always pretty. Still, this feels like Havelid’s crease to lose.

Sweden doesn’t have a clear No. 1, especially compared to when Carl Lindbom was running the show last year. But Hävelid should have the edge, and as long as the defense hold up their end of the bargain, they’ll be fine.

Defensemen

*Axel Sandin Pellikka (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Sweden’s defense is always a strength, and this year is no different. Axel Sandin Pellikka (Detroit Red Wings) is the main draw here, with his two-way game making him one of the more exciting defensemen in the tournament. He was a superstar at the U-18s but struggled at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Still, expect big things from the Detroit Red Wings prospect.

Mattias Hävelid (San Jose Sharks) was Sweden’s best defenseman at the WJSS, and I expect him to find a spot on the top pairing. He’s a 19-year-old with loads of two-way skill, and his pure speed is a huge benefit on the bigger ice.

From there, keep a close eye on a pair of future NHL teammates. Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) has had an up-and-down pro career and wasn’t anything spectacular during the summer. He was good at last year’s event, though, so we’ll see if he gets an ice time boost. And then there’s Tom Willander (VAN), a fast, puck-rushing defenseman who rose through the draft ranks last year. He’s looking mighty comfortable with Boston University right now.

I really liked Elias Salomonsson (Winnipeg Jets)’s game in the summer, and I hope to see him play a decent role here. He’s looking like a third-pairing defenseman with some shutdown qualities, but I appreciate how much effort he puts into every shift. He’s a battler, and that’s a good bullet to have deep in the chamber.

Forwards

*David Edstrom (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Could we get a mini-reunion on the top line? Jonathan Lekkerimäki (VAN), Liam Öhgren (Minnesota Wild) and Noah Östlund (BUF) will likely compose the top line, reuniting the dangerous Djurgardens trio that made some noise in Allsvenskan last year. Lekkerimäki is on pace for over 30 points with Orebro. Öhgren is finally back on the ice with Farjestad after returning from an injury and Östlund was excellent with Sweden’s U-20 team last month. He is dealing with an injury as well but looks like he should be good to go in time for the big dance.

Now, this is where Sweden’s scoring depth begins to shine. David Edstrom (Vegas Golden Knights) and Otto Stenberg (St. Louis Blues) were tremendous together at the U-18s this past spring and should make up the second line. They have a few options on the other wing, such as Isac Born, who looks good against men, or even Oskar Pettersson (OTT), who brings size and energy and the ability to generate chances around the net.

To show how deep this team is: the third line might consist of Filip Bystedt (SJS), Felix Unger Sörum (Carolina Hurricanes) and Anton Wahlberg (BUF). Bystedt was one of the top standouts at the WJSS and looks excellent. Unger Sörum is a tremendous passer, playing alongside two players who know how to put pucks in the net. Wahlberg brings size, smarts and a solid release, although he hasn’t been able to show it often with Malmo.

Beyond that, Fabian Wagner (WPG) and Zeb Forsfjäll (Seattle Kraken) will give the team some extra depth. Forsfjäll will be a two-way threat for the team in the bottom six while giving the team some extra speed and energy.

Sweden’s a deep team that, while likely relying a lot on the top six to get things done, should be able to roll four terrifying lines each night. And that’s terrifying for the competition.

Projection

Expectations are high, and for good reason. They’ve got the depth to win. They’ve got the fanbase behind them. But can you ever trust Sweden at this event? The Junior Crowns were dominant in the round robin for about two decades, but had just one gold to show for back in 2012. They’ve advanced to the final just once since 2015, doing so back in 2018. But it feels like if any team is going to challenge the United States for gold, it’s Sweden. They’ll have a difficult round-robin with Canada, Finland, Germany and Latvia, but Sweden looks safe to take one of the top two spots in the group.

Regardless, a medal feels like a safe bet.

Round-Robin Schedule

Local/ET Time

Dec. 26 vs. Latvia – 19:30/1:30 PM
Dec. 28 vs. Germany – 19:30/1:30 PM
Dec. 30 vs. Canada – 19:30/1:30 PM
Dec. 31 vs. Finland – 14:30/8:30 AM

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