Vancouver Canucks prospect named to Sweden's roster for 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship
A Vancouver Canucks prospect has been named to Sweden's roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, which gets underway in exactly three weeks.
As the Vancouver Canucks look to get younger by trading away their pending unrestricted free agents, General Manager Patrik Allvin has a pretty good prospect pool that he hopes, along with any additions leading up to March 6th, will help form a strong contender for many years to come.
Patrik Allvin did an excellent job adding to Vancouver's prospect pool in the summer, bringing in Braeden Cootes with their first round pick, goaltender Aleksei Medvedev in the second round and forward Wilson Bjorck in round five.
With the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quickly approaching, one Vancouver Canucks prospect will be getting the opportunity to wear his nation's colours after being named to Sweden's roster on Friday.
Vancouver Canucks prospect named to Sweden's roster for 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship
In a press release on Friday morning, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced their roster for the 2026 World Juniors and among the names included is Vancouver Canucks forward prospect Wilson Bjorck, who is currently playing with Colorado College in the NCAA.
Note: the following is translated from Swedish
"We dream of gold and aim to challenge the USA and Canada, who are seen as favorites in the tournament. We need to grow together as a really strong team and group, and that is the goal of the training camp. If we succeed in that, we know that we have several match winners in the team and that can go a long way." Swedish Head Coach Magnus Havelid said.
"We dream of gold and aim to challenge the USA and Canada, who are seen as favorites in the tournament. We need to grow together as a really strong team and group, and that is the goal of the training camp. If we succeed in that, we know that we have several match winners in the team and that can go a long way." Swedish Head Coach Magnus Havelid said.
Bjorck, 19, has appeared in ten games in his freshman season for Colorado College so far, registering six points (three goals, three assists), eight penalty minutes and is a plus-five.
The Vancouver Canucks prospect drew some high praise recently by his Head Coach at Colorado College, Kris Mayotte, who believes Patrik Allvin got a steal in the fifth round of this year's draft.
"I think Vancouver has a steal in the fifth round if I'm being honest," Colorado College Head Coach Kris Mayotte said.
He added, "When you look long-term at what he's going to bring to us and with the Canucks, the body being able to do it is going to be important, and I think that's what he has gravitated towards. We've only been doing it for a few weeks, but he's not slowing down, and he hasn't hit a wall or anything like that, which has been really impressive. He's a rink rat. He loves being on the ice and in the gym."
He added, "When you look long-term at what he's going to bring to us and with the Canucks, the body being able to do it is going to be important, and I think that's what he has gravitated towards. We've only been doing it for a few weeks, but he's not slowing down, and he hasn't hit a wall or anything like that, which has been really impressive. He's a rink rat. He loves being on the ice and in the gym."
Other notables on Sweden's roster include San Jose Sharks prospect Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Winnipeg Jets first rounder Sascha Boumedienne, 2025 third overall pick & Chicago Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell, along with projected top-five pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft Ivar Stenberg.
Sweden will open up their question for World Junior gold on Friday, December 26th against Slovakia at 10 a.m. PT (12 p.m. local).
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 5 | 926 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks prospect named to Sweden's roster for 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship Do you think Wilson Bjorck and Team Sweden will win a medal at the 2026 World Juniors? | ||
| Yes | 517 | 55.8 % |
| No | 409 | 44.2 % |
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