Jack Berglund, a 20-year-old forward who has established himself in the SHL with Färjestad, won a World Junior Championship gold, and played in the AHL, will make his Tre Kronor debut at the Czech Hockey Games. According to Hockeysverige, his father Christian Berglund described Jack's disbelief at the selection, noting that Jack had talked about how it would be nice to come home and have some time off. Christian Berglund also said his joy at Jack's draft was greater than when he himself was drafted, adding that one's children are the best thing you have.
Christian Berglund, who played in the NHL, told Hockeysverige that Jack is a two-way center or forward, not very fast but big and tall, with good hockey sense and strong team loyalty. He noted that their playing styles are not very similar, but they share a similar mentality and attitude, though he himself was a bit over the edge when he played. According to Hockeysverige, Christian Berglund emphasized that the key to Jack's development is his love for the sport and his perseverance through tough times, even when he has been sad. He also revealed that Jack played football in the summer and hockey in the winter, and that he declined select team camps to let him play football, believing it was important that Jack thought it was fun.
Jack talked about how it would be nice to come home and have some time off, he didn't believe it at first.
Six JVM gold heroes are debuting in Tre Kronor: Love Härenstam, Sascha Boumedienne, Jack Berglund, Anton Frondell, Ivar Stenberg, and Viggo Björck. Sam Hallam, head coach of Tre Kronor, said his starting point for selections was 'What is best for the player.' He added that it is 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. Hallam also said it is great to see the young talents in this environment.
Sam Hallam mentioned Jakob Silfverberg as an experienced player he is eager to see, noting that he knows what Silfverberg can mean for a team all the way into the World Championship. Regarding Victor Eklund, Hallam said he was not selected because AHL play takes priority, and that in some cases, like with Victor, it might be best for the player to stay and play the playoffs. Hallam said Anton Frondell will likely be played as a center initially, but they have the option to play him as a winger. He also noted that Leo Sahlin Wallenius was considered but injuries and a trip to San Jose prevented his selection.
It was more joy than when I myself was drafted.
Viggo Björck was stopped from playing the U18 World Championship by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association after choosing to play the U20 playoffs at home, according to major media reports. According to Sportbladet's sources, there are hopes that at least Stenberg, Frondell, and Björck will perform well enough to earn a spot in the final World Championship squad.
Czech Republic has secured Filip Hronek for the World Championship, and head coach Radem Rulik said Hronek will play at least one match in the Euro Hockey Tour tournament on home ice. Adam Klapka has also accepted World Championship play but needs to perform in Euro Hockey Tour tournaments to secure a spot.
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.
Anton Frondell said he does not know if he will play in Beijer Hockey Games, despite media reports suggesting he would debut there. This contradiction highlights uncertainty about the player's participation.
According to Expressen's sources, Albert Johansson, Emil Heineman, and Simon Holmström have accepted World Championship participation. Ivar Stenberg is selected in Tre Kronor's squad for the World Championship rehearsal.
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.
Several unknowns remain: which of the six JVM gold heroes will ultimately make the final World Championship squad; whether Anton Frondell will actually play in Beijer Hockey Games despite his uncertainty; how many of the NHL players reported by Expressen will actually join the World Championship team; the exact status of Leo Sahlin Wallenius's injuries and his potential future selection; and whether Adam Klapka will secure a spot in the Czech World Championship team after the Euro Hockey Tour performances.
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. Also, he has very good hockey sense and is insanely team loyal. I hope I was too.
The playing style itself is not very similar. Some moments maybe, but otherwise he is a different player.
Yes, we are about the same. Then I have to say that I was a bit over the edge 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 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, kept doing his thing.
Yes, and he, just like I did, played football in the summer and hockey in the winter. I never went 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 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 be time anyway.
In many ways, my starting point has been: What is best for the player.
They are often that last spice that makes our team really, really good. But how many make it all the way, we'll see.
It's very difficult to give a percentage, but we will give the guys a 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'm really 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, if we can find the chemistry. Overall, it usually becomes a bit more fun when you have a couple of younger guys in the group. The older ones feel a responsibility and want to help the younger ones, and that can lift them too.
It's so hard 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.
It was fun to see him (in the NHL), I saw a game there in person. He got a lot of trust right away and plays as he deserves too.
I have not tried to interfere.
We have a player who is not with us, who has been in Europe, Victor Eklund. There we have also had communication, but in many ways my starting point has been: What is best for the player. In some cases, like with Victor, it might be to stay and play the playoffs.
I don't know if I will play, we'll see.
Great fun to see them in this environment.