Jack Berglund, the son of former NHL forward Christian Berglund, has received his first call-up to the Swedish national team, Tre Kronor, for the upcoming Czech Hockey Games. According to multiple reports, the 20-year-old Färjestad center was initially skeptical when informed of his selection. According to Hockeysverige, Christian Berglund said Jack did not believe the news at first and thought it would be nice to come home and rest. Christian Berglund also told Hockeysverige that he felt more joy when his son was drafted than when he himself was drafted, and that his children Jack and Lykke are the best thing he has.
Jack Berglund was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers two summers ago, according to multiple reports. He has established himself in the SHL with Färjestad, won a World Junior Championship gold medal, and also played in the AHL. According to Hockeysverige, Christian Berglund described Jack as a two-way center or forward, contrasting his own explosive and fast style with Jack's big, tall frame, good game sense, and strong team loyalty. Christian Berglund told Hockeysverige that Jack's playing style is not very similar to his own, and that Jack does everything for the team to win.
Jack talked about how it would be nice to come home and be a little free, he didn't think it was true at first.
According to Hockeysverige, Christian Berglund attributed Jack's development to his love for the sport, noting that even when things were tough, he persevered. He said Jack played football in the summer and hockey in the winter, and that he never took him to camps, saying no to select teams so Jack could play football in the summer. Christian Berglund told Hockeysverige that Jack has always loved going to the ice rink to train or play, and that he always believed it was important that Jack enjoyed it, so he tried to keep the seriousness down.
Christian Berglund also reflected on the 2024 NHL draft in Las Vegas, where Jack was selected. According to Hockeysverige, he described it as a great experience and noted that he had never been to Vegas before.
It was more joy than when I myself was drafted.
The Czech Hockey Games squad includes ten debutants and six players who won gold at the World Junior Championship: goaltender Love Härenstam, defenseman Sascha Boumedienne, forwards Jack Berglund, Anton Frondell, Ivar Stenberg, and Viggo Björck, according to multiple reports. However, there is a discrepancy in the reported number of JVM players selected. While Hockeysverige lists six, Sportbladet initially reported three and mentioned Berglund as 'highly current' but not confirmed. According to Sportbladet's sources, there are hopes that at least Stenberg, Frondell, and Björck will perform well enough to take a spot in the final World Championship squad. Jack Berglund is also highly current for one of the tournaments before the World Championship, according to Sportbladet's sources. Viggo Björck gets his chance in the national team, according to multiple reports. Additionally, according to Expressen sources, defenseman Albert Johansson and forwards Emil Heineman and Simon Holmström have accepted invitations to the World Championship. Ivar Stenberg is selected for the Tre Kronor squad for the World Championship warm-up, according to multiple reports.
National team head coach Sam Hallam discussed his philosophy on integrating young players. According to multiple reports, Hallam said his starting point has been: What is best for the player. He noted that young players are often the final spice that makes the team really good, but how many will make it all the way remains to be seen. Hallam said it becomes more fun when you have a few younger players in the group, as the older ones feel responsibility and want to help the younger ones. He also said it is great fun to see the young talents in this environment.
One's children, both Jack and Lykke, are the best thing you have. Lykke was also there during the draft so it was fun.
Regarding specific young players, Hallam said Victor Eklund is not in the squad because AHL play takes precedence. On Anton Frondell, Hallam said: "It is so difficult to say who handles that transition better or worse, but obviously Anton handles it very well. I think his projection during the year has been very good in Djurgården. They have matched him very smartly along the way and now it will be interesting to see him here. We will probably start playing him as a center. Then we have the option to play him as a winger too." Hallam also said Leo Sahlin Wallenius was considered but injuries and a trip to San Jose prevented his selection. He added that he has not tried to interfere with the JVM players during the year.
On the veteran presence and World Championship prospects, Hallam said: "It is very difficult to say a percentage, but we will give the guys the chance to play, and do everything to create an environment around them. At the same time, we shouldn't stare blindly at them, we have a Jakob Silfverberg. I am very eager to see what he brings, and I know what he can mean for a team all the way into the World Championship too. It will be fun to see the balance there, if we can find the chemistry."
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.
There is uncertainty around Jack Berglund's selection and other players' status. Anton Frondell said he does not know if he will play in the Beijer Hockey Games. The final World Championship roster remains unclear, as does the participation of NHL players like Albert Johansson, Emil Heineman, and Simon Holmström. The number of JVM gold heroes in the Czech Hockey Games squad is also disputed, with Hockeysverige reporting six and Sportbladet initially reporting three.
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 a very good game sense and is insanely team-loyal. I hope I was that too.
The playing style itself is otherwise not very similar. Certain moments maybe, but otherwise he is a different player.
Yes, we are about the same. Then I must say that I was a bit over the line when I played.
He also 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 very much about the association.
That he loves the sport. Even when it has been tough and he has been sad, he has 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 ice rink to train 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 anyway.
I don't know if I will play, we'll see.