Swedish national ice hockey team coach Sam Hallam has selected a 10-debutant squad for the upcoming Fortuna Hockey Games from April 27 to May 3. Six players from the recent World Junior Championship gold-winning team have been included. The roster features a mix of experienced players and young talents.
Sam Hallam, head coach of Tre Kronor, announced the squad for the Fortuna Hockey Games on Tuesday. The tournament runs from April 27 to May 3, with 10 players making their senior international debut. Among the newcomers are Nils Höglander, Theodor Niederbach, Karl Henriksson and Liam Öhgren, all with prior youth or junior international experience. Hallam highlighted the inclusion of six players from Sweden's gold-medal winning JVM team: captain Jack Berglund, goaltender Love Härenstam, defenceman Sascha Boumedienne, Frölunda forward Ivar Stenberg, and Djurgården duo Anton Frondell and Viggo Björck. At a press conference, Hallam praised the young players' fearlessness. 'In this age group, they have no respect. They are often the final spice that makes it really good. We'll see how many make it all the way,' he said. He singled out Stenberg for his consistent performance: 'He has shown all season in Frölunda and at the junior Worlds that he is a top player, and he is a player who can become one of our leading players even in the Olympics.' Hallam also commended Björck's intelligence: 'He might be the smartest player. It's incredibly impressive to follow him, whether in J20, with Djurgården in SHL or in the junior national team. He makes very good decisions.' The full roster includes goaltenders Magnus Hellberg and Love Härenstam; defencemen Jacob Larsson, Robert Hägg, Erik Brännström, Axel Andersson, Tim Heed, Sascha Boumedienne and Joel Persson; and forwards Isac Hedqvist, Linus Karlsson, Jack Berglund, Anton Frondell, André Petersson, Nils Höglander, Theodor Niederbach, Jakob Silfverberg, Ivar Stenberg, Karl Henriksson, Viggo Björck, Marcus Sylvegård and Liam Öhgren.
