In the first leg of the 2024-25 Euro Hockey Tour, in Helsinki in November, Sweden finished last, taking only a single point from a shootout loss to Switzerland. The Swedes seem determined for a better showing in Switzerland this month, and have decided to take a very different roster.

“The entire management staff, myself included, feel a great desire for revenge ahead of this week,” said Swedish national team coach Sam Hallam. “It’s a new group that we get the chance to work with, where we get to see a lot of familiar faces but also some that we haven’t worked with before. We’re looking forward to a good week in Fribourg.”

Whereas the Swedish Karjala Cup roster was entirely composed of domestic SHL players, the Swedes will be heavily reliant on players from Switzerland’s National League – 13 of them, in fact, including defenseman Andreas Borgman and forwards Marcus Sörensen, Lucas Wallmark and Jacob de la Rose, who will be playing in their home rink in Fribourg. This reflects the recent trend of top Swiss teams outspending the rest of Europe for top non-NHL talent.

Among the SHL contingent are two who played in the NHL last season – Jakob Silfberberg and Oskar Lindblom. Both players have been a huge boost to a resurgent Brynäs IF team, which leads the SHL standings despite just being promoted from the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan.

Goaltenders:
31. Lars Johansson, Frölunda HC
75. Arvid Holm, Rögle BK

Defensemen:
9. Gabriel Carlsson, EV Zug (SUI)
32. Lukas Bengtsson, EV Zug (SUI)
43. Tom Nilsson, Frölunda HC
55. Calle Själin, Rögle BK
72. Tim Heed, HC Ambri-Priotta (SUI)
73. Adam Ollas Mattsson, Färjestad BK
74. Andreas Borgman, HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI)
81. Theodor Lennström, Genève-Servette HC (SUI)

Forwards:
19. Marcus Sörensen, HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI)
22. Fredrik Olofsson, EV Zug (SUI)
23. Lucas Wallmark, HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI)
26. Oskar Lindblom, Brynäs IF
33. Jakob Silfverberg, Brynäs IF
40. Andreas Wingerli, EV Zug (SUI)
44. Victor Ejdsell, SC Bern (SUI)
69. Milton Oscarson, Örebro HK
82. Jesper Frödén, ZSC Lions (SUI)
86. Mathias Bromé, Luleå HF
88. Malte Strömwall, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers (SUI)
95. Jacob de la Rose, HC Fribourg-Gottéron (SUI)
97. Max Lindholm, Skellefteå AIK
98. Linus Sandin, Rögle BK