Sweden World Junior Prelim Roster

For Sweden, the last 2 years have been really close as they have lost to Canada in the Gold Medal Game at the World Juniors. The only time Sweden has ever won the U20 was back in 1981 when the tournament when they beat arch rival Finland when the tournament was held in West Germany.

Also unlike most of the teams that have a huge prelim roster that will include some cuts. Sweden is basically naming their team already so they can get to know each other and have more time to prepare for the tournament. In goal for Sweden is Jacob Markstrom was named last year's best goalie in the World Juniors in Ottawa, Ontario last season.

Currently not on the roster Erik Karlsson could be named later as the Ottawa Senators will get him released for the Championship as he was the best defender last season and has been getting bumped between the Ottawa Senators and their AHL Affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y.

So it could be a part of who he's with come tournament time on whatever or not he will join Sweden in Saskatchewan Canada later this month. Another defensemen that won't be with the team is Victor Hedman who was the #2 overall draft pick and is playing on a regular basis with the Tampa Bay Lighting. The Tampa Bay Head Coach has announced that he will not relase the young defensemen reguardless of who's on the roster.

Other surprises came when the Swedes decided not to bring up 3 of it's best players currently playing the Major Junior Leagues in Canada. These players were Robin Lehner (Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, OHL), Defensemen Alexander Urbom (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL), and Forward Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers, OHL).

A majority of the team will come from the Swedish Elite League

Goaltenders

Anders Nilsson, HF Lulea (SWE, Elite League)

Jacob Markstrom, Brynas Gavle (SWE, Elite League)


Defensemen

Luksa Kilstrom, SK Sodertalje (SWE, Elite League)

Olivier Ekman Larsson, IK Leksands (SWE, Elite League)

Adam Larsson, AIK Skelleftea (SWE, Elite League)

David Rundblad, AIK Skelleftea (SWE, Elite League)

Tim Erixon, AIK Skelleftea (SWE, Elite League)

Mattias Ekholm, IK Mora (SWE, Elite League)


Not Nominated Yet

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Simon Bertilsson, Brynas (SWE, Elite League)


Forwards

Mattias Tedenby, HV 71 Jonkoping (SWE, Elite League)

Jacob Josefsin, Djurgarden Stockholm (SWE, Elite League)

Marcus Johansson, Farjestad Karlstad (SWE, Elite League)

Dennis Rasmussen, VIK Vasteras (SWE, Elite League)

Jakob Silfverberg, Brynas Gavle (SWE, Elite League)

Anton Lander, IK Timra (SWE, Elite League)

Carl Klingberg, Frolunda Gothenburg (SWE, Elite League)

Anton Rodin, Brynas Gavle (SWE, Elite League)

Andre Petersson, HV 71 Jonkoping (SWE, Elite League)

Magnus Paajarvia Svensson, IK Timra (SWE, Elite League)

Marcus Kruger, Djurgarden Stockholm (SWE, Elite League)

Daniel Brodin, Djrugarden Stockholm (SWE, Elite League)

Martin Lundberg, AIK Skelleftea (SWE, Elite League)