2013 U18 WJC Video: Andre Burakovsky, Sweden Photo: Sweden’s Andre Burakowsky is the son Robert Burakowsky, a long-time European pro player who spent part of one NHL season with the Ottawa Senators (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF) Sweden was sailing through the preliminary round of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship until they ran into a brick wall in the form of Team Canada in the final game of the opening round. Canada blanked the Swedes, 6-0, marring what had otherwise been a good showing for Sweden at this U18. 2013 U18 WJC Playoffs: Canada, Russia could renew gold medal rivalry Photo: Forward Vladimir Tkachev has been the scoring star so far for Russia at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Derek Leung/Getty Images) The preliminary round has come and gone at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, and Groups A and B each featured one fairly dominant team. 2013 U18 WJC Video: William Nylander, Sweden Photo: Swedish forward William Nylander is one of a few 2014 NHL Draft prospects taking part in the 2013 U18 World Juniors (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF) Just as Finland's U18 roster features a last name that is familiar to fans of NHL hockey, so to does Sweden's roster. Forward William Nylander is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, Michael Nylander, and early returns suggest that he just might be up to the task. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Leon Bristedt, Sweden Photo: Swedish forward Leon Bristedt has been a productive forward for his country in international play (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF) Sweden continued their roll through the preliminary round of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship as they registered a 5-2 win over Slovakia on Day 4 of this tournament. Five players registered two points each in the win, continuing Sweden's approach of winning by committee. 2013 U18 WJC Preview: Sweden should again be a medal contender Photo: Swedish defenseman and 2013 draft prospect Robert Hagg captained Sweden’s Four Nations squad, and will be counted as a leader for his country’s U18 team (courtesy of Dave Reginek/Getty Images) Team Sweden can proudly look back upon three straight silver medals. What has certainly left a very bitter taste in the program’s mouth is the fact that all three have been pushed upon them in the gold medal game by Team USA, who has accordingly won three straight gold medals. It isn’t enough that several of the current team’s players not only experienced last spring’s 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Team USA, but several others also found themselves subjected to the 3-1 gold medal game loss to the US at the WJC this past winter. |
Latest Discussions