Goalkeeper Lars Johansson is 35 years old, and has previously played in the Olympics. Forward Leo Carlsson is 18 years old, and only at the beginning of his career. Among the debutants, there is a wide spectrum both in terms of age and experience.
More than half of the players in the Swedish World Cup squad that Tre Kronor’s national team captain Sam Hallam presented on Tuesday are World Cup debutants. Among the debutants, there is a wide spectrum both in terms of age and experience.
Goalkeeper Lars Johansson is 35 years old, and has previously played in the Olympics. Forward Leo Carlsson is 18 years old, and only at the beginning of his career.
Everything depends on how many additional NHL players are eliminated, and want to come to Tampere. A total of 25 players, three goalkeepers and 22 outfield players may be registered. For the first match on Friday against Germany, at least 15 outfield players and two goalkeepers must be registered.
Here are the debutants:
- Goalkeepers: Jesper Wallstedt (20 years old), Lars Johansson (35) and Jacob Johansson (29).
- Backing: Christian Folin (32), Lukas Bengtsson (29), Rasmus Sandin (23), Joel Persson (29) and Patrik Nemeth (31).
- Forwards: André Pettersson (32), Lucas Raymond (21), Jonatan Berggren (22), Fabian Zetterlund (23), Linus Johannsson (30) and Leo Carlsson (18).
Considering his age, it is not particularly surprising that Jesper Wallstedt is a WC debutant. More surprising is that this will also be Frölunda’s goalkeeper Lars Johansson’s WC debut. It should be added, however, that Johansson was in the 2022 Olympics.
Most interesting among the debutants, however, is 23-year-old Rasmus Sandin, who was once named JVM’s best back. After an NHL season that began in Toronto and ended in Washington, he plays with great confidence and will be important to the Swedish World Cup team.
Lucas Raymond and Leo Carlsson showed in last week’s national team tournament how well they enjoy being together. Lucas Raymond will be extremely important for this year’s Swedish WC team.
