Three players to watch on Team Sweden at the 2022 World Juniors
Sweden look to return to medal contention after losing to Finland in the 2021 quarter-finals.
Here are three players to watch:
Jesper Wallstedt
Goalkeeper | Catches left | Six-foot-three | 214 pounds | Minnesota Wild (first round, 20th overall in 2021)
Wallstedt is coming over to play in the Minnesota Wild organization this season at the AHL level in Iowa. It won’t be long before he’s challenging for an NHL job. He gives the Swedes a chance to win. He is big in the net and plays with balance between the posts. His stats at the SHL level (Sweden’s top league) playing for LuleĆ„ last season: 22 games played with a 1.98 goals against average and .918 save percentage.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Forward | Right shot | Five-foot-11 | 172 pounds | Vancouver Canucks (1st round, 15th overall in 2022)
It will be interesting to see if Lekkerimaki can establish himself in this tournament and play to his identity. He is an elite shooter. His element is offense. His off-the-puck detail and will in the hard areas will need to be improved but if he scores the Swedes will be happy.
Daniel Torgersson
Forward | Left shot | Six-foot-three | 205 pounds | Winnipeg Jets (2nd round, 2020 40th round pick)
Torgersson is a power forward who moves well for his stature. He is best suited online to extend games or look for tips and returns. He’s not a threat off the rush but he has the ability to extend plays along the boards. This is the type of player who can open up space for skilled linemates. It will be interesting to see how he is deployed.