Sweden World Junior Roster 2024

Photo © Bildbyrån

Introduction to the Swedish roster 

Home ice advantage is truly that; an advantage. Sweden will host the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships for the first time since 2014. The Swedes have struggled in recent years, adding just two bronze medals to their trophy case over the past five events. However, they enter this year’s tournament as one of the favourites.

The roster is home to seven first round picks, and 19 drafted players in total. Sweden will be returning nine players from last year’s fourth-place team. Many of whom were part of a gold-medal winning club at the Under-18 Men’s World Championship in 2022.

The team will be coached by Magnus Hävelid. This is his second stint behind the bench at the top U20 event. He was also the bench boss that led that U18 team to gold and had his first stint behind the World Junior bench last year.

 

Swedens World Junior Roster 2024

Goaltenders

Hugo Hävelid - Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Kevin Reidler - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) - Ottawa Senators

Melker Thelin - IF Björklöven (HockeyAllsvenskan) - Arizona Coyotes

 

Defensemen

Mattias Hävelid -  Linköping HC - SHL (San Jose Sharks)

Anton Johansson - Leksands IF - SHL (Detroit Red Wings)

Jakob Norén - Mora IK - HockeyAllsvenskan

Elias Pettersson - Västerås IK -  HockeyAllsvenskan (Vanouver Canucks)

Elias Salomonsson - Skellefteå AIK - SHL (Winnipeg Jets)

Axel Sandin Pellikka - Skellefteå AIK - SHL (Detroit Red Wings)

Tom Willander - Boston Univ. - NCAA (Vancouver Canucks)

 

Forwards

Isac Born, CW - Frölunda HC - SHL

Filip Bystedt, C - Linkökping HC - SHL (San Jose Sharks)

David Edström, C - Frölunda HC - SHL (Vegas Golden Knights)

Zeb Forsfjäll, C - Skellefteå AIK - SHL (Seattle Kraken)

Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW - Örebro - SHL (Vancouver Canucks)

Oskar Pettersson, RW - Rögle BK - SHL (Ottawa Senators)

Rasmus Radslätt, RW - AIK - HockeyAllsvenskan 

Otto Stenberg - Frölunda HC - SHL (St. Louis Blues)

Felix Unger Sörum, RW - Leksands IF - SHL (Carolina Hurricanes)

Fabian Wagner, C/RW - Linköping HC - SHL (Winnipeg Jets)

Anton Wahlberg, C - Malmö Redhawks - SHL (Buffalo Sabres)

Liam Öhgren, LW - Färjestad BK - SHL (Minnesota Wild)

Noah Östlund, C - Växjö Lakers HC - SHL (Buffalo Sabres)

 

EP Thoughts on the Roster

This is a deep squad from top to bottom. There are potentially impact pieces starting in net with Hugo Hävelid who led the team to gold at the U18s and was named the Best Goaltender at that event. On the blueline, there is a solid mix of speed, skill, and snarl. Expect Axel Sandin Pellikka to win the top power play job, but Tom Willander will be a viable option as well. As a unit, the backend should be able to move the puck effectively and counter the speed and skill coming back at them. 

Up front, a great deal will hinge on Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Liam Öhgren, and Noah Östlund — a trio who has a vast amount of experience playing together on a line. But they will be supported by a collection of talented forwards capable of providing tangible production. Keep an eye on Felix Unger Sörum who has been especially impressive as an 18-year-old. 

Can this team provide the host nation with it’s first gold medal since 2012? We believe so. They’ll be most comfortable on the rink size. They’ll be most comfortable at home with the crowd roaring their names.