32-year-old from Märsta is on home ground. That the World Championship is decided in Stockholm was no minus when William Karlsson decided to accept playing in Tre Kronor.
It helps, of course, when you have family and friends, you're from here. It becomes clearly much easier to say yes, says William Karlsson.
The NHL season ended in the playoffs' second round against Edmonton. But Vegas center comes to the World Championship, he says himself. In the regular season, he made 29 points in 52 matches, and followed up with six more points in eleven playoff matches.
I hope I come in with good form. It feels that way, at least.
Sweden has won all six matches in the World Championship. William Karlsson, who won the Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023, is expected to go straight into the match squad for Tuesday's final group stage match against Canada.
I hope I play tomorrow. It's just to go, says Karlsson.
It feels like I'm coming into a very well-being group. They have won every match and seem to have good self-confidence.
Stanley Cup Winner
He hasn't played a national team tournament since Tre Kronor took the World Championship gold in 2017. He missed the Four Nations earlier this year due to injury.
So to get this chance to show up, it felt completely given (to say yes).
That the Olympic Games are coming in less than a year, where NHL players are allowed to participate, also increases the will to show up in the national team jersey.
It plays, of course, a role. The Olympic Games are the ultimate goal, you have dreamed about it since the guys won gold. It's the dream with Tre Kronor, to get to play an Olympic Games.
With the entry of William Karlsson and Washington back Rasmus Sandin, there is only one spot left in the squad. Toronto star William Nylander would be a dream reinforcement. Tre Kronor's World Championship squad currently consists of NHL pros.
