Confederation captain Sam Hallam has made his choice and selected which players will chase the World Cup gold in Finland.
Among the selected is the super talent Leo Carlsson.
– It’s like the most natural thing in the world for him to step into Tre Kronor’s dressing room and sit on the bench and talk a little with the lads and go out and dare to play his game, says Sam Hallam.
The hockey World Cup starts this weekend and national team captain Sam Hallam has selected his first World Cup squad.
There are nine NHL professionals: Lucas Raymond, Jakob Silfverberg, Rasmus Sandin, Patrik Nemeth, Jonatan Berggren, Alexander Nylander, Carl Grundström, Fabian Zetterlund and Jesper Wallstedt.
The super talent taken
The youngest player in the squad is Leo Carlsson, who plays everyday in Örebro.
– It is very exciting with these young players who are almost getting better week by week. What is so cool about Leo Carlsson is also his way of entering a dressing room at that age and being so humble yet unaffected by the situation, says Sam Hallam.
Hallam describes the squad as a good mix of hungry and experienced players.
– I think we have a good breadth in the squad. We have several players who cover the roles in the team.
Can become more NHL professionals
In total, Tre Kronor can register 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers for the WC. However, not all selected players will be registered for the opening match. The door is still ajar for possible reinforcements from the NHL. William Nylander, Calle Järnkrok and Timothy Liljegren may be considered for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
– We have a few days left and things can happen along the way.
The last time Tre Kronor took WC gold was in 2018, and the national team captain admits that he feels a little pressure before the tournament.
– We have new people in both the staff and the squad and I would say that the whole association is waiting for this approval.