On Wednesday, Sweden announced their official roster for the upcoming 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Among the standouts are Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman , Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
Hedman notched 13 goals and 63 assists for 76 points in 78 games with the Lightning during the 2023-24 regular season, he added seven points in five Stanley Cup Playoff contests as Tampa was eliminated by the Florida Panthers. Hedman has represented Sweden internationally a number of times including the 2016-17 World Cup, and the IIHF Men’s World Championships three times and was a member of the 2009 World Juniors squad. Hedman captured a gold medal with Sweden at the World Championships in 2016 where he had four points in 10 games.
Karlsson registered 11 goals and 45 assists for 56 points in 82 games, in 2022-23 Karlsson became the first defenseman in 30 years to register 100-plus points in the NHL. The former Norris Trophy winner has represented Sweden at a number of the same tournaments that Hedman has participated in, but Karlsson donned the Swedish jersey at the 2014 Olympic Games, where he was named to the Olympic First All-Star Team and Olympic’s Best Defenseman after collecting eight points in six games.
Dahlin finished up another solid season in Buffalo where he registered 20 goals and 59 points in 81 games. Dahlin represented Sweden at last year’s World Championship where he tallied seven points in eight games. Dahlin also represented Sweden at the 2018 Olympic Games and the 2018 World Juniors.
Other players to keep an eye on will be Red Wings’ Lucas Raymond, Kings’ Adrian Kempe, Wilds’ Joel Eriksson Ek and Hurricanes prospect Felix Unger-Sorum.
Sweden will play their first game of the World Championships on Friday against the USA.
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