After a dominant preliminary round in which they were the only team to go a perfect 4-0-0-0, Team Sweden’s World Junior Championship journey ended in heartbreak.
Following a semifinal loss to Finland, Sweden faced Czechia in the Bronze Medal game, only to come up short in a thrilling 14-round shootout.
The match was a chess match from start to finish, with neither team able to break through during regulation or a tightly contested overtime period. The shootout, which has set the stage for so many memorable moments in this tournament’s history, delivered another instant classic.
In the end, Seattle Kraken prospect Eduard Šalé sealed the victory for Czechia with a slick backhand finish, earning them the Bronze Medal.
Sweden’s loss continues an unsettling trend at the World Juniors. Over the past eight tournaments, they have alternated between medaling and finishing outside the top three. Last year, they secured Silver, but this year, despite a strong start to the event, they leave empty-handed.
One bright spot for Sweden throughout the tournament was Vancouver Canucks prospect Tom Willander. True to form, the 2023 first-round pick led his team in ice time during the Bronze Medal game, logging a 28:06. He finishes the tournament as the second most utilized player, logging 170:31 minutes through seven games.
He also added five more shots on goal, finishing the tournament as the second-highest shooting defenceman (fifth overall) with 27 shots. Offensively, Willander wrapped up the event as the fourth-highest-scoring defenceman, tallying five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games.
In two World Junior tournaments, Willander has amassed eight points (three goals, five assists), 10 penalty minutes, and a plus-12 rating across 14 games, solidifying his reputation as one of Sweden’s most dependable players. He’s no longer eligible for the U20 tournament.
While Sweden’s tournament didn’t end as hoped, Willander’s stock has undoubtedly risen. His blend of shutdown defending, excellent skating, and emerging offensive instincts make him one of the Canucks’ most exciting prospects. With his NCAA season at Boston University already showcasing further strides in his development, Willander looks well on track to leap to the professional ranks sooner rather than later.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Team USA capped off an incredible run by defeating Finland 4-3 in overtime to claim Gold.
