
Team Sweden unveiled their 2026 World Junior Championship roster today, which features Florida Panthers top prospect Linus Eriksson.
The 19-year-old skated in seven games at last year's tournament, scoring two goals as Sweden finished in fourth place, losing to Czechia in a shootout in the bronze medal game.
Eriksson played 36 games of professional hockey in Sweden last season, splitting his season in half between the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second division. In the SHL, Eriksson notched a goal and an assist, and in the second division, he posted a goal and four points.
This season, the Panthers' second-round pick (58th overall) in the 2024 NHL draft is back in the SHL with Timrå IK, where he's recorded two assists in 24 games. Eriksson hasn't been able to find his scoring touch while playing in the top Swedish leagues, but he is a trustworthy two-way center that will likely play an integral role in Sweden's success.
Sweden's current roster consists of 26 players, broken down by three goaltenders, eight defenseman and 15 forwards. Sweden will need to make one roster cut prior to the start of the tournament, which begins on Dec. 26 in Minnesota.
Sweden's roster is headlined by Chicago Blackhawks top prospect Anton Frondell and 2026 draft-eligible winger Ivar Stenberg. Sweden's roster boasts plenty of talent, but surprisingly, it has just three first-round picks: Frondell (third overall in 2025), Viktor Eklund (15th overall in 2025), and Sascha Boumedienne (28th overall in 2025).
Sweden is a team to watch in this tournament, and Kraken prospect Krantz could be a key contributor on a medal-winning team.
Goaltenders:
Love Härenstam (2025 round 6 #179 overall by St. Louis Blues)
Herman Liv (Undrafted)
Måns Goos (2025 round 5 #158 overall by Dallas Stars)
Defensemen:
Felix Öhrqvist (Undrafted)
Leo Sahlin Wallenius (2024 round 2 #53 overall by San Jose Sharks)
Sascha Boumedienne (2025 round 1 #28 overall by Winnipeg Jets)
Viggo Gustafsson (2024 round 3 #77 overall by Nashville Predators)
Felix Carell (Undrafted)
Victor Johansson (2024 round 4 #120 overall by Toronto Maple Leafs)
William Håkansson (2026 NHL Draft)
Alfons Freij (2024 round 2 #37 overall by Winnipeg Jets)
Forwards:
Lucas Pettersson (2024 round 2 #35 overall by Anaheim Ducks)
Milton Gästrin (2025 round 2 #37 overall by Washington Capitals)
Linus Eriksson (2024 round 2 #58 overall by Florida Panthers)
Ivar Stenberg (2026 NHL Draft)
Anton Frondell (2025 round 1 #3 overall by Chicago Blackhawks)
Valter Lindberg (Undrafted)Viggo Björck (2026 NHL Draft)
Loke Krantz (2025 round 7 #218 overall by Seattle Kraken)
Liam Danielsson (Undrafted)
Eddie Genborg (2025 round 2 #44 overall by Detroit Red Wings)
Jack Berglund (2024 round 2 #51 overall by Philadelphia Flyers)
Wilson Björck (2025 round 5 #143 overall by Vancouver Canucks)
Eric Nilson (2025 round 2 #45 overall by Anaheim Ducks)
Casper Juustovaara Karlsson (2026 NHL Draft)
Victor Eklund (2025 round 1 #16 overall by New York Islanders)

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