Adam Ollas Mattsson Makes Team Sweden

There was some roster uncertainty for Sweden heading into today’s tune-up game against Team Canada in Helsinki and some injury news has provided Tre Kronor with some clarity – and cemented a Flames prospect’s spot at the World Juniors.

2016 draft eligible defender Sebastian Aho suffered a larynx injury during the game and is out for the tournament. Sweden went into the final exhibition tilt needing to make one defensive cut and Aho’s injury does just that, so Flames 2014 sixth round pick Adam Ollas Mattsson has made Team Sweden.

The spot on the World Junior team is a nice capper to 2015 for Ollas Mattsson, who has already cemented a spot in the professional ranks with the Swedish Hockey League’s Djurgardens IF club and played in the Champions League. He’s quietly carving out a niche for himself as a shut-down defender in a pretty strong pro league.

Sweden’s blueline now looks like this:

It’s a young group that’s played together in various combinations at past international tournaments, but they’re definitely one of the weaker defensive groups – especially compared to Canada, for instance.

Sweden is in the same group as Canada, and faces off against the Canadian team on New Year’s Eve in a match-up that will have three Flames prospects in it.