Three backs: Erik Karlsson, Gustav Forsling and Victor Hedman. And three forwards: William Nylander, Mika Zibanejad and Filip Forsberg.
It is Sweden’s first player for the new four-nation tournament, “NHL 4 Nations Face-Off”, which will be organized by the NHL next year. The players have now been presented by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association.
In a press release, Erik Karlsson says:
“It will be really fun to represent Tre Kronor again. It warms one’s heart and I am extremely proud. The experience from the last WC makes me incredibly motivated and excited for the future of the Swedish national team. It feels like we are on our way to great heights.”
First time since the 2016 World Cup
For the first time since the World Cup 2016, a tournament in which all the countries’ NHL professionals can participate will take place. Sweden, Finland, Canada and the USA play a group stage where the two best teams then advance to a final. The tournament will be played in Montreal and Boston next February and only players with NHL contracts are allowed to participate.
At an earlier press conference, the president of the players’ union, Marty Walsh, spoke about the tournament:
“The players are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to play national team hockey again, as a pre-tournament before the Olympics, which will be great,” he said.
It is already clear that NHL players will participate in the Olympics in Milan in 2026. Next year’s four-nation tournament is therefore seen as an important part of the build-up to it.
Javascript must be enabled to play video
Jonas Andersson on Tre Kronor’s bronze medal match against Canada: “Monumental difference between bronze and fourth place” Photo: Bildbyrån