5 nations U18 in Finland, roster & game talk etc

The Swedish U18 roster for the 5-nations tournament in Finland (February 3-7) was announced today. Boy, is it a strong team on the paper
There are 9 players on the team that are playing against men.
Last year at the same time there were 3 players that played with grown men(Robert Nilsson, Liam Lindström (although he hardly saw any minutes with Mora) and Stefan Erkgärds (Skåre, Tier III).

Here's the roster:


<table width="486" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#004A9C">
<tr bgcolor="#004A9C">
<td width="41%"><font color="#FFFFFF"><strong>Player</strong></font></td>
<td width="11%"><div align="center"><strong><font color="#FFFFFF">Pos</font></strong></div></td>
<td width="13%"><div align="center"><strong><font color="#FFFFFF">Born</font></strong></div></td>
<td width="19%" bgcolor="#004A9C"><div align="left"><strong><font color="#FFFFFF">Team</font></strong></div></td>
<td width="16%"><div align="left"><strong><font color="#FFFFFF">League</font></strong></div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1284" target="_blank">Daniel Larsson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">G</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Boden</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier II</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2032" target="_blank">Magnus &Aring;kerlund</a></td>
<td><div align="center">G</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">HV 71</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td> <div align="center"></div></td>
<td><div align="center"></div></td>
<td><div align="center"></div></td>
<td><div align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></div></td>
<td><div align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1287" target="_blank">Niklas Andersson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Bryn&auml;s</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2620" target="_blank">Emil Axelsson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">&Ouml;rebro</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier II</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1290" target="_blank">Richard Dem&eacute;n-Willaume</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Fr&ouml;lunda</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2621" target="_blank">Carl Gunnarsson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">&Ouml;rebro</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier II</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1950" target="_blank">Oscar Hedman</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">MODO</div></td>
<td><div align="left">SEL</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2508" target="_blank">Albin Lorentzon</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Link&ouml;ping</div></td>
<td><div align="left">SEL</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2007" target="_blank">Marcus Nyberg</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Lule&aring;</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1295" target="_blank">Tobias Viklund</a></td>
<td><div align="center">D</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">MODO</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><strong><font color="#FFFFFF">. </font></strong></td>
<td><div align="center"></div></td>
<td><div align="center"></div></td>
<td><div align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></div></td>
<td><div align="left"><font color="#FFFFFF">.</font></div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1305" target="_blank">Jesper Andersson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">MODO</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2045" target="_blank">Nicklas Bergfors</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1987</div></td>
<td><div align="left">S&ouml;dert&auml;lje</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2074" target="_blank">Alexander Bergstr&ouml;m</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">R&ouml;gle</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1303" target="_blank">Tommy Enstr&ouml;m</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">MODO</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=670" target="_blank">Martin Gudmundsson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Mora</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1302" target="_blank">Mattias Hellstr&ouml;m</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">MODO</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1282" target="_blank">Sebastian Karlsson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Fr&ouml;lunda</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1300" target="_blank">Viktor Lindgren</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left"> Lule&aring;</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2495" target="_blank">Fredrik N&auml;slund</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">V&auml;ster&aring;s IK</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier II</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1705" target="_blank">Niklas Olausson</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tingsryd</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier III</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1297" target="_blank">Oscar Sundh</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1986</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Almtuna</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Tier II</div></td>
</tr>
<tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><a href="http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=2019" target="_blank">Alexander Sundstr&ouml;m</a></td>
<td><div align="center">F</div></td>
<td><div align="center">1987</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Bj&ouml;rkl&ouml;ven</div></td>
<td><div align="left">Juniors</div></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</table>
*** Top forward Johannes Salmonsson is injured and has been replaced by Jesper Andersson, MODO.



Schedule:
February 3: Sweden vs. Russia
February 4: Sweden vs. USA
February 5: Sweden vs. Czech Republic
February 6: Sweden vs. Finland

Not only are they stronger based on the fact that so many play with the "grown ups" but the overall talent level is pretty decent compared to the last 3-4 years. Some of the players playing junior leagues could very well be playing in Allsvenskan or Div1 too, like the players from Frölunda for example.

Now, just because they look strong on paper doesn't mean they will win. However, I'm counting on that they outshoot their opponents ;)

hehe, it's important to know tha the other teams in that tourney have very strong teams as well. So Sweden is not the only country with strong 86's.

hehe, it's important to know tha the other teams in that tourney have very strong teams as well. So Sweden is not the only country with strong 86's.

So why is it considered a strong year for Sweden?

My point is that there are two ways of determining if a age group is strong or not.

The first is to check its results. This would suggest this group isn't so strong after all.

The second is to compare different age groups against each other. This way it looks better...

How is Alexander Sundström doing? Is there anyone from Umeå here? He should be promoted to the first team soon. Björklöven are crap and I expect him to be in the team from next season at the latest. This is if his inclusion in this squad is correct of course.

Bergfors should also be promoted to SSK's first team IMO. Starting next pre-season or when they are saved or relegated.

The easiest way to determine if this is a strong team is to compare it to other age groups. Results definitely don't tell the whole truth since then we compare the team to other nation's and they could have off years or great years.

I personally can't remember the last time we had this many U18 players playing against men (if it has ever happened). That is a good sign that this group is strong.

As for Sundström he should be 100% fit soon (if not already) after his injury and I expect him to get some shifts in the second tier league already this season. He should be a regular next season.

I'm afraid to say if Bergfors will be ready for the SEL next season but he definitely should be. The thing that frightens me is that there is no room for pretty good players like Dragan Umicevic, Linus Videll and when Wandell and Bergfors will be ready the competition will be even tougher.

So why is it considered a strong year for Sweden?

My point is that there are two ways of determining if a age group is strong or not.

The first is to check its results. This would suggest this group isn't so strong after all.

The second is to compare different age groups against each other. This way it looks better...

How is Alexander Sundström doing? Is there anyone from Umeå here? He should be promoted to the first team soon. Björklöven are crap and I expect him to be in the team from next season at the latest. This is if his inclusion in this squad is correct of course.

Bergfors should also be promoted to SSK's first team IMO. Starting next pre-season or when they are saved or relegated.

Well. I would say the team looks really good. I mean much better than for example last year´s team.

The defense looks really solid. Oscar Hedman and Albin Lorentzon are seeing SEL-time for example, Axelsson and Gunnarsson are playing in 2nd league. Other really good d-men like Demén-W, Viklund, Nyberg and Andersson.

Magnus Åkerlund is a very talented goalkeeper and he has been playing with U-20 national team, he has therefor missed all the games with U-18 earlier this season.

There are more talent in this team than the last year with 85:s. There were a lot of roleplayers who´s job is basically not to score but just to work hard on the ice(Hollström, Öberg, Williams, Fredriksson) last year. The 86:s are ALL really good offensively and can work hard. The range of talent available is just better imo.

First round potential in Johannes Salmonsson, Oscar Hedman, Richard Demén-W, Nicklas Bergfors(2005) and Alexander Sundström(2005).

This is the best team so far Thelin has chosen. A lot of players have progressed and there´s some really tough competetion to make the squad. Comparing again from last year´s team we see that 86:s have players in SEL and 2nd league(Salmonsson, Hedman, Sundh, Axelsson, Bergström, Gunnarsson, Lorentzon, Näslund). Last year we had Robert Nilsson sure, but he was injured and who else, Liam Lindström although he was never a regular in Moras a-squad and Erkgärds in 3d league.

Im thinking it looks really good, and talentwise it does, better than for some years at least. The talent is there, now its up to Thelin to make it work.

An interesting note. From last year's team there are only 9 players that are currently playing against men (the same number as for this one year younger roster).

The easiest way to determine if this is a strong team is to compare it to other age groups. Results definitely don't tell the whole truth since then we compare the team to other nation's and they could have off years or great years.

True, but at the end of the day the team will be judged by its results at the U18s.

I personally can't remember the last time we had this many U18 players playing against men (if it has ever happened). That is a good sign that this group is strong.

15 years ago they said that usually one player every year would be a regular in the SEL. I would think that back then more players than now were among the seniors. I can check this if there is interest from others and come back.

As for Sundström he should be 100% fit soon (if not already) after his injury and I expect him to get some shifts in the second tier league already this season. He should be a regular next season.

Sure hope so.

I'm afraid to say if Bergfors will be ready for the SEL next season but he definitely should be. The thing that frightens me is that there is no room for pretty good players like Dragan Umicevic, Linus Videll and when Wandell and Bergfors will be ready the competition will be even tougher.

Well, if SSK got rid of their under-achieving "stars" and instead let the juniors get some ice time I could see a future for the club. I know they aren't ready just yet but they have to be given the opportunity some time. As soon as they are saved/relegated this must happen. The same goes for Brynäs too. I want Mattias Karlsson to get much more ice time. Both these teams will benefit next season if they do as I say.. :lol:

15 years ago they said that usually one player every year would be a regular in the SEL. I would think that back then more players than now were among the seniors. I can check this if there is interest from others and come back.


I must be tired or something, but I did not really understand what you meant by that first sentence. That "one player every year would be a regular in the SEL".

If you have some spare time on your hands I would enjoy you checking up on the matter.
This link http://www.eliteprospects.com/sweden.php could perhaps help you out. You can look up U18 rosters in the past and then click the player names to find out if they were regulars in the SEL that season. Don't know if it is the simpliest way to find out, but it's an idea :)

I must be tired or something, but I did not really understand what you meant by that first sentence. That "one player every year would be a regular in the SEL".



I don't understand either. I meant every year an under18 player would be a regular in the SEL.

Stefan Nyman was a SEL regular in 1990 at 18. Where is he now?

Stefan Nyman was a SEL regular in 1990 at 18. Where is he now?

I believe he has retired, not sure though. But he has spent several seasons in Denmark.. the last couple of years.

1990 team:
Wanhainen, Klockare, Nyman(SEL), Jax, Ketola, Löwgren, Kyrö, Nylander, Renberg

1991 team:
Hävelid, Karlsson, Magnusson, Tornberg, Lindqvist(SEL), Eriksson(SEL), Forsberg (SEL), Maric, Näslund(SEL), Sundblad(SEL)

1992 team:

Hedlund, Johansson, Jönsson, Karlsson, Tsilichristos, Håkansson, Hällback, Lindgren, Mattsson(SEL)

I have counted players who had at least 20 appearences for a senior team during the season.

You can´t compare how it was 10-15 years ago, since it was of course easier to make the SEL then.
Today all players are professionals and make really great money at the sport and therefore they keep playing for a longer time. Most players retired much earlier before and now the keep on playing as long they can basically.
It is also physically harder as well, since players are much more well-trained today and its not easy as 17-18 to be in that good condition and physical able to match 25-35 year olds.

good points river.
Even if we would compare this team to the ones Fredrik listed up there it's very close to this year's U18-team, when it comes to how many have seen senior hockey ice-time.
It's all good :)

Something that even if it is true which I'm far from convinced about IMO is offset by the fact that we had mid-season relegation back then. Wouldn't it be easier now to let juniors play? After all, this is the logic behind the talk about closing the league.

Also, don't you remember that it was unheard of when Sandlin decided to use four lines for Brynäs? Teams could only dress 18 players until then which gives players more spots to compete for.

You are right that we can't compare with how it was 10 years ago though. Back then Tony Mårtensson or Mikael Holmqvist or lots of other players in NA would not have been there as NHL now have 25% more teams than in 1990.

The first game of the tournament: Sweden - Russia has just started.
You can follow the game on-line at this url
http://www.sm-liiga.fi/finhockey2/sjl_sarjaohjelma.asp?TID=1268

Go Sweden go!

Swe - Rus 3-5
0-1 R. Voloshenko (M. Yunkov)
1-1 N. Bergfors
1-2 A. Plyuschev
2-2 N. Olausson (N. Bergfors)
3-2 A. Lorentzon
3-3 A. Radulov (R. Voloshenko A. Lisin)
3-4 A. Radulov(2)
3-5 A. Plyuschev(2) (S. Shirokov)

So.. Sweden lost to Russia 3-5.
Nice to see Nicklas Bergfors score a goal and assist. I hope Magnus Åkerlund will start in the next game. Larsson is barely good enough for the U20 league (saw limited ice-time with Luleå before he moved to Boden).

Tomorrow: Sweden vs. USA

Stefan Nyman was a SEL regular in 1990 at 18. Where is he now?
First of all, SSK was really bad in those days. Even worse than today...
In the 1989-90 season SSK had the following players on defense:

Anders Eldebrink
Mats Kihlström
Stefan Jonsson
Jan Bergman
Jonas Heed
Hans Pettersson
Stefan Nyman
(Stefan Olsson is listed as d-man at swehockey but he played forward.)

Stefan has retired and works as a coach for Vojens IK, or IK Sönderjylland rather as the team is called now.

http://www.vojenslions.dk/index.php?player=show&pid=150

Swe - Rus 3-5
0-1 R. Voloshenko (M. Yunkov)
1-1 N. Bergfors
1-2 A. Plyuschev
2-2 N. Olausson (N. Bergfors)
3-2 A. Lorentzon
3-3 A. Radulov (R. Voloshenko A. Lisin)
3-4 A. Radulov(2)
3-5 A. Plyuschev(2) (S. Shirokov)

So.. Sweden lost to Russia 3-5.
Nice to see Nicklas Bergfors score a goal and assist. I hope Magnus Åkerlund will start in the next game. Larsson is barely good enough for the U20 league (saw limited ice-time with Luleå before he moved to Boden).

Tomorrow: Sweden vs. USA

According to www.swehockey.se Jesper Andersson(my avatar) scored the third goal and Magnus Åkerlund was indeed the goalie who stood in the game. I don´t know who to believe, swehockey or sm-liiga.fi????

Finally some nice news.. Sweden defeated USA 2-1 today.
SSK player Nicklas Bergfors scored the game-winner in the OT shootouts.

Mattias Hellström (assisted by Oscar Hedman) scored Sweden's opening goal.

Great to see the youngest player on the team (Bergfors) produce offensively with these guys.

Finally some nice news.. Sweden defeated USA 2-1 today.
SSK player Nicklas Bergfors scored the game-winner in the OT shootouts.

Mattias Hellström (assisted by Oscar Hedman) scored Sweden's opening goal.

Great to see the youngest player on the team (Bergfors) produce offensively with these guys.

Woohoo! :handclap: :handclap:
Good job, and I guess this isn't the strongest team we could put on ice. Salmonsson + a few more of the best 87's could probably make this team even stronger.

Too bad for Johannes Salmonsson, injured once again. The wrist this time but on the positive side - he´s only expected to be out for two weeks.

http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/sport/story/0,2789,428557,00.html

Woohoo! :handclap: :handclap:
Good job, and I guess this isn't the strongest team we could put on ice. Salmonsson + a few more of the best 87's could probably make this team even stronger.

Apart from Salmonsson it IS the strongest team we have. Maybe Björn Svensson could make squad, possibly Tom Wandell, but I don´t see anymore born 87:s make the team. But this is still a strong team.

I was thinking Wandell and possibly Zackrisson. Was I dead wrong?

I was thinking Wandell and possibly Zackrisson. Was I dead wrong?

I don´t think Wandell will make the team. This is the last tournament before U-18 WC. Thelin would have selected him for this tournament if he wanted him. Zackrisson is not even close making the team, he is playing J-18 Allsvenskan-level which is not good enough to participate on this team(ok, so is Näslund, but he has played in Allsvenskan as well) Both Wandell and Zackrisson are also centers.
Sweden have:

1. Mattias Hellström, been the superior forward on the team for Sweden together with Sebastian Karlsson.
2. Sebastian Karlsson.
3. Alexander Bergström. (just look at the stats, he is tearing up U-20 league).
4. Alexander Sundström. Considered to be slightly better than Wandell.

There are also other centers I think are considered to be closer to the team than Zackrisson:
5. Jesper Andersson(is playing on the wing this tournament, but naturally a center).
6. Tom Wandell
7. Tomas Wallgren
8. Mattias Granström

That is what i could come up with(at the top of my head). 86:s have a nice depth in centers i think, and d-man as well.

River
Mattias Granström is way too old!
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1204

----
I know you mean Jonathan Granström :) ;)

River
Mattias Granström is way too old!
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=1204

----
I know you mean Jonathan Granström :) ;)

Haha yes. BOOOO for me :D