All twelve Olympic Games teams on the men's side are presenting their first six selected players on Monday.
In Tre Kronor's case, it was the defenders Victor Hedman and Rasmus Dahlin and the forward quartet Gabriel Landeskog, William Nylander, Adrian Kempe and Lucas Raymond.
Landeskog made his NHL comeback with Colorado at the end of April after almost three years of rehabilitation of a knee injury he got when his team won the Stanley Cup 2022.
Many believed that he would never come back on the ice. Sam Hallam says that he himself had a hard time seeing Landeskog in an Olympic Games squad to Milan.
"Did not know"
Sam Hallam tells about a long phone call recently with the forward star.
Until the conversation with Gabriel, we did not know. In that conversation, it became clear, then there was no doubt. We were both very happy about the outcome of that conversation. We are both very determined to drive this as hard as possible so that we give ourselves the chance to win this in the Olympic Games, says Hallam.
A healthy Gabriel Landeskog can become a huge asset for Tre Kronor in the Olympic Games in February.
We know what Gabriel stands for when it comes to leadership, competition and toughness. We are very happy that he has been able to get through the rehabilitation and tackle setbacks along the way, says Hallam.
"Hungry for more"
Landeskog himself is also looking forward to getting to wear the national team jersey for the first time since the World Championship 2019. He won the World Championship gold with Tre Kronor 2017 and played in Sochi 2014 which was the last time NHL players participated in the Olympic Games. Then Sweden took silver after a final loss to Canada.
"The last few years have been a journey for me. I am very grateful to be back on the ice – but also hungry for more. It feels big and honorable to get this chance to represent Sweden at such a major championship as the Olympic Games”, says Gabriel Landeskog in a press release.
Sam Hallam about the first six names:
We have many good players who are not named now, if it had been twelve players we would have selected, it would not have been a problem. But for us, these are given now.
The remaining names in Tre Kronor's Olympic Games squad will be presented at the latest in January next year.
Göran Sundberg/TT
Facts: Tre Kronor in the Olympic Games
TT
The following six players were selected on Monday: Defenders: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay, Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo. Forwards: Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado, William Nylander, Toronto, Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles, Lucas Raymond, Detroit. The Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina will take place from February 6-22, 2026. Tre Kronor will play in group B together with Finland, Slovakia and Italy. All teams will advance to the playoffs. The schedule for the men's ice hockey tournament has not yet been announced.
