Sweden Names Roster for the Junior A World Challenge

Sweden’s U18 team has announced its roster for the 2025 Junior A World Challenge. Head coach Johan Rosén has chosen to keep most of the players from the November Five Nations tournament. Read more about Rosén’s comments and the full roster below.

Since the Five Nations tournament, goaltender Douglas Nilsson, defensemen Malte Gustafsson and Hjalmar Cilthe, and forwards Oscar Holmertz and Mikael Kim have joined the roster. Gustafsson and Kim were forced to withdraw last time due to injury, but are now back in action. Here’s what Sweden’s head coach Johan Rosén had to say about the upcoming tournament:

“I’m really looking forward to this tournament. For the boys, it’s a great chance to play on the smaller rink, which will be a real test for us. We’re facing only North American opponents, with players who are a bit older and more physical. It’s going to help us develop the toughness and resilience in our game ahead of the World Championship this spring,” said Johan Rosén.

Of the players who took part in the Five Nations, goaltender Kevin Törnblom, defensemen Ola Palme and Zigge Bratt, and forwards Isak Holtet and Wiggo Sörensson have been left out. Overall, the roster consists only of players who have already had a chance to play for the U18 national team earlier this season. Sweden intends to use this tournament to refine the group ahead of the upcoming U18 World Championship in the spring.

“This camp is important for building experience ahead of the World Championship in April. We get the chance to play several tough games against skilled opponents, which helps develop both the players and the staff,” Rosén said.

The roster is loaded with draft-caliber talent. Players such as Marcus Nordmark, Elton Hermansson, and Malte Gustafsson project as potential first-rounders and are well worth keeping an eye on.

Johan Rosén: Sweden Brings Strong U18 Group Into the Five Nations The Hockey News’ Jacob Smeds speaks with head coach Johan Rosén as Team Sweden brings a deep U18 group into the Five Nations Tournament.

Golatenders
30. Douglas Nilsson, Färjestad BK
35. Viggo Tamm, Leksands IF

Defensmen
2. Axel Elofsson, Örebro HK
4. Malte Gustafsson, HV71
5. Hjalmar Cilthe, Frölunda HC
6. Samuel Eriksson, Färjestad BK
7. Måns Gudmundsson, Färjestad BK
9. Theodor Knights, MoDo Hockey
26. Vilgot Lidén, Leksands IF

Forwards
11. Alexander Command, Örebro HK
12. Marcus Nordmark, Djurgårdens IF
14. Nils Bartholdsson, Rögle BK
16. Oscar Holmertz, Linköping HC
17. Elton Hermansson, MoDo Hockey
18. Adam Andersson, Leksands IF
20. Mikael Kim, Rögle BK
21. Ludvig Andersson, Örebro HK
23. Bosse Meijer, Frölunda HC
24. Hampus Zirath, Djurgårdens IF
25. Max Isaksson, Växjö Lakers HC
28. Lucas Rosander, Brynäs IF
29. Olle Karlsson, Växjö Lakers HC

The tournament runs from Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 13 at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Québec.

Theodor Knights: Hlinka Lessons and Five Nations Mindset The Hockey News’ Jacob Smeds speaks with 2026 NHL Draft prospect Theodor Knights. After starring for Team Sweden at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he now prepares for next week’s U18 Five Nations Tournament.