Jack Berglund, the 20-year-old forward drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers two summers ago, has received his first call-up to the Swedish national team, Tre Kronor. Berglund has established himself in the SHL with Färjestad, won a World Junior Championship gold medal, and played in the AHL. National team head coach Sam Hallam presented his latest squad, which includes Berglund, during a press conference on Tuesday.
Christian Berglund, Jack's father and a former NHL player, described his son's initial reaction to the call-up. According to Christian, Jack initially thought the national team call-up was not true and talked about wanting to come home and rest. Christian said his feeling when Jack was drafted was more joy than when he himself was drafted. He added that his children Jack and Lykke are the best thing he has, and Lykke was also at the draft. Christian noted he had never been to Las Vegas before the draft and found it a fantastic city and arena.
Jack talked about how it would be nice to come home and have some time off, he didn't believe it at first.
Christian Berglund also discussed Jack's playing style and upbringing. He described Jack as a two-way center or forward, while he himself was explosive and fast; Jack is big and tall with good game sense and is very team-loyal. According to Christian, their playing styles are not very similar, but mentally and in attitude they are about the same. Christian emphasized that Jack loves sports, has persevered through tough times, and always loved going to the rink to practice or play. He noted that Jack played football in the summer and hockey in the winter, and he did not send him to camps. Christian said he always believed it was important that Jack had fun, so he tried to keep the seriousness down.
Sam Hallam, the national team head coach, outlined his philosophy on integrating young players into the senior squad. According to Hallam, his starting point has been: What is best for the player. He described the young players as often the final spice that makes the team really good, but it remains to be seen how many make it all the way. Hallam acknowledged it is very difficult to give a percentage chance for the young players to make the World Championship team, but they will be given a chance to play. He added that it becomes more fun when there are younger players in the group, as older players feel responsibility and want to help them. Hallam said he has not tried to interfere with the JVM players during the year.
It was more joy than when I myself was drafted.
Hallam also commented on specific players. He said he is eager to see Jakob Silfverberg and what he can bring to the team. Regarding Victor Eklund, Hallam explained that Eklund is not in the squad because AHL play takes precedence. On Anton Frondell, Hallam noted that Frondell has had a very good season with Djurgården and they will likely start playing him as a center. Hallam also mentioned that Leo Sahlin Wallenius was considered but injuries and a trip to San José prevented his selection.
Regarding squad announcements for the upcoming Czech Hockey Games, Sportbladet reports that Love Härenstam, Sascha Boumedienne, and Viggo Björck are in the squad. Sportbladet also reports that Anton Frondell and Ivar Stenberg are in the squad, and that Jack Berglund is highly likely for one of the pre-VM tournaments. However, Anton Frondell himself said he does not know if he will play, they will see, indicating uncertainty. Additionally, Viggo Björck was stopped from playing in the U18 World Championship by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association after choosing to play in the U20 playoffs at home. Ivar Stenberg has been selected for Tre Kronor's squad for the pre-VM tournament, and Viggo Björck gets the chance in Tre Kronor.
One's children, both Jack and Lykke, are the best thing you have. Lykke was also over there during the draft so it was fun.
Several unknowns remain. It is unclear which of the six JVM gold heroes will ultimately make the final World Championship roster. Whether Anton Frondell will actually play in Beijer Hockey Games despite his uncertainty is also unknown. The exact reason Victor Eklund was not selected—whether purely AHL playoffs or other factors—has not been fully explained. How many of the debutants will be in the starting lineup for Czech Hockey Games is yet to be seen. Finally, the status of Leo Sahlin Wallenius's injuries and whether he will be considered for future tournaments remains unclear.
I had never been to Vegas before so there was so much else to look at. A fantastic city and arena so it was powerful.
Not much. Jack is a two-way center or forward. I was very explosive and fast while he is not so fast but big and tall. Moreover, he has very good game sense and is insanely team-loyal. I hope I was that too.
Yes, there we are about the same. Then I must say that I was a bit over the line when I played.
He does everything he can for the team to win and as I said before, he is very team-loyal. I like that and he cares a lot about the club.
That he loves the sport. Even when it's been tough and he's been sad, he's gritted his teeth and kept going, done his thing.
Yes, and he, just like I did, played football in the summer and hockey in the winter. I never went away on any camps with him either.
I didn't think he should do that and have also had conversations with several select teams, but said no because in the summer he should play football.
He has had tough times too and it was never obvious that he would become this good. However, he has always, always loved going to the rink to practice or play.
I have always believed that it was important that he thought it was fun, so I have tried to keep the seriousness down. It must not be too serious early on because it will become that way anyway.