Goaltending depth is a strength for Sweden’s 2025 World Juniors team

This story appeared on hockeysverige.se this week and has been translated from Swedish to English.

Goalie depth has never really been a luxury for Sweden at the World Juniors.

But this year, not only do they have two intriguing prospects fighting for the starter’s job, but they also had some excellent goalies that didn’t make the team.

Head coach Magnus Hävelid ultimately chose to go with returnee Melker Thelin (Utah Hockey Club), Marcus Gidlöf (New York Islanders) and Melvin Strahl (Columbus Blue Jackets). That means that neither Erie Otters’ Noah Erliden, who backstopped the Swedes to a silver medal at the 2023 U-18 World Championship, or SHL sensation Olof Glifford (Florida Panthers) made the team.

Everyone expects Thelin and Gidlöf to battle for the crease after great starts to the season. Thelin, who backed up Hugo Hävelid in last year’s tournament on home soil in Gothenburg, is 9-2 with Björklöven in the second-tier Hockeyallsvenska. Gidlöf, meanwhile, has been thrust into action in the SHL with Leksand due to injuries, and he boasts a solid .917 save percentage in eight games.

“We’ve been to a few tournaments together, and that’s where we started getting to know each other. It’s been really fun to go out and meet at different tournaments,” Gidlöf said.

“The first time I met Marcus was probably during the U18 year, and he was playing with U19. We played against each other then,” Thelin said. “That’s my first memory of him. Before this season, we were also together with the national team (at the World Junior Summer Showcase), so we actually know each other pretty well. Of course, I’ve also been keeping an eye on Marcus this season because I usually watch a lot of SHL games. I’ve seen that he’s gotten chances in the SHL, which I think is really great.”

Gidlöf had a really strong start to the season in Leksand’s U20 team. He was promoted to the SHL when the team’s starting goalie, Mantas Armalis, went down with an injury in October. In his first game, he faced top team Färjestad on the road. Gidlöf stopped 20 of 21 shots and led his team to a 3–1 victory – one of his most impressive games of the year.

“It’s been going well,” Gidlöf said. “I’ve received great trust from the coaches and found confidence in Leksand with all the staff and players. It’s really just been about working every day, not thinking too much, and just going for it.”

There’s been a lot of media attention, how has it been for you to handle that?
“I think it’s gone well, and I’ve also gotten a lot of help from everyone in sorting it all out.”

Thelin is impressed by his partner’s game:

“He’s very positionally secure and reads the game well. Plus, he’s good at making important saves when a match is on the line.”

Strahl is also a solid goalie, who is having a big year in the USHL. He might be seen as the outside option to steal the starter’s gig, but Thelin sees the three-headed competition as a positive.

“It’s good competition between three good goalies, where all three of us want the same thing.”

Gidlöf, set for his first World Junior tournament, agrees.

“We’re three really good goalies who all want to play. It’s a good competitive situation, and we will really have to compete for the opportunity to play in the matches.”

As for the pressure of having to perform in the Canadian limelight? None of Sweden’s goalies are too concerned, and believe they have a legitimate shot to go far.

“(Pressure is) not something I think about too much. I’m pretty used to it after playing quite a lot of games in my life. I don’t think too much about the pressure; I just go out and play my game. Then I think it will go well.”

“When you step onto the ice, you don’t think about it,” Gidlöf said. “You treat it like any other game. Of course, I’ll understand the difference if it’s a practice match, group stage match, quarterfinal, or final.”

It doesn’t matter what event it is, they’re not treating the World Junior Championship any differently than any other game.

“Yeah, you just stare at the puck,” Gidlöf said, with a laugh.