The last time Tre Kronor won World Championship gold was in 2018 in Denmark.
At that time, the squad consisted of NHL stars such as Mika Zibanejad, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Hampus Lindholm.
Playing for Tre Kronor at the World Championship means high expectations. If the team fails, the criticism can be harsh – and the players will have to bear a great deal of responsibility.
"It's something that people don't talk about very much. The responsibility of being in a Tre Kronor team that loses and doesn't make it past the quarter-finals, of carrying the dog's head. Maybe we should talk a little more about it because it means quite a lot," Mattias Norström says.
“Traitor”
One of Tre Kronor's biggest fiascos of all time was the 2002 Olympic loss to Belarus.
A star-studded Tre Kronor lost the quarter-finals 3–4 – and Norström remembers the consequences of the exit:
"I remember when we lost to Belarus in the Olympics, when we were called traitors."
“It’s easier to say no”
When the NHL regular season and playoffs are over for several teams, a large player pool opens up for Tre Kronor.
But far from everyone accepts the invitation.
Mikael Backlund has chosen to rest and spend time with his family – and Rasmus Sandin has declined due to injury.
"This year is special after a compressed schedule and an Olympic year," Norström says.
At the same time, it is also about the players' own feelings:
"If you feel that you are not in as good shape as you want to be, or that you are not there mentally to be able to deliver and be at your absolute peak, then it can be easier to say no. To feel that 'I am not there to be able to deliver what I know is expected of me - and what I expect of myself,'" Norström says.
Ice hockey icon Peter Forsberg believes that the conditions have also changed compared to before:
"There are a lot of different factors. Somehow, back in the day, you didn't get paid as much when you played for your club team as you do now. Clubs decide more."
The squad is taking shape
Among the NHL players who have accepted are Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Oskar Sundqvist.
The Hockey World Championship in Switzerland will be played May 15–31 - and Tre Kronor will begin the tournament against Canada.
2025: Bronze.
2024: Bronze.
2023: 6th.
2022: 6th.
2021: 9th.
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19
2019: 5th.
2018: Gold.
2017: Gold.
2016: 5th.
