Sweden continues to be women's hockey's most improved nation. Despite the fact the World Championships are set to get rid of the tiered Group A and Group B, Sweden is playing for higher placement. They've consistently been among the best five nations this year surpassing Switzerland in their development and play. They will face Norway, Japan, Hungary, and Germany in Group B when the 2025 World Championships kick off on April 9 in Czechia.
Sweden's SDHL remains the second best pro league in the world, and the waves of young talent continuing to come out of Sweden, including players like Hilda Svensson, Mira Hallin and Ebba Hedqvist who are current members of their roster. Sweden's NCAA cohort has improved each year with players like Mira Jungåker, Josefin Bouveng, and Thea Johansson now developing beyond consistent contributors into impact players. Here's a look at Team Sweden ahead of the IIHF 2025 women's World Championships.
Roster Notes
There's no denying the injury to Maja Nylén Persson that will keep her off Sweden's roster is a monumental loss for this team. She's their best defender, and many games best player. Sweden has Lina Ljungblom, Anna Kjellbin, and Emma Söderberg from the PWHL, but it's their roster beyond this group that will make or break their tournament. Bouveng, Thea Johansson, Hanna Thuvik, Hanna Olsson, Sara Hjalmarsson, Sofie Lundin, and company will need to find the net. More importantly, their defensive core will need to be a sum greater than their parts. Sweden's blueline oozes potential, so having some of that click into place with players like Emma Forsgren and Jenna Raunio to compliment their veterans will go a long way.
Sweden's X-Factor
She hasn't been great in the PWHL, but Emma Söderberg has a history of coming up big in tournament games. She's Sweden's x-factor. If the Söderberg who nearly shocked Canada out of the 2023 World Championships returns, Sweden's outlook is good. It's rumoured Söderberg is planning to return to the SDHL next season to get more starts ahead of the Olympics. The world knows she can play. And it seems obvious at this point she's best suited to play more often, as the random 1-2 games per month has not allowed her game to grow.
One To Watch For Sweden
Sara Hjalmarsson is Sweden's top prospect for the 2025 PWHL Draft. She could be joined by Hanna Olsson, Paula Bergstrom, or Emma Forsgren, but right now, she's the only sure thing. Hjalmarsson is big and plays with an edge. She's a strong net front presence and likes to mix things up along the wall. She can also score. Skating has been her lone question mark, but Hjalmarsson gets where she's going, and when she arrives it's with an impact. PWHL scouts will be watching her closely, particularly in whatever quarter-final matchup Sweden gets.
Eyes On 2026
Sweden's roster for the 2026 Olympic Games won't look drastically different from the one they're fielding at the 2025 Worlds. With Raunio and Svensson joining the NCAA next season at Ohio State, the development pathway continues to get re-stocked. With Kjellbin, Nylén Persson, and Ljungblom in the PWHL, and others on the way, this roster should be stronger and more experienced yet again. They have more talented teens coming, but not likely in time for 2026.
