At least three Flames prospects will be at the World Juniors

The Calgary Flames are off for a few days for their holiday break, but the schedule is about to ramp up for at least three of their prospects. 2017 pick Filip Sveningsson will play for Sweden, while at least two other recent Flames picks will suit up for Slovakia.

Sweden has announced their final 23-man roster and Sveningsson has been named to the team. The 2017 seventh round pick has had a tremendous season, moving to pro hockey full-time in Sweden’s secondary league after bouncing between juniors and the Swedish Hockey League for much of the 2017-18 season. In 26 games with IK Oskarshamn, he has 18 points. It’s his first time representing Sweden at a major tournament since the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2015-16.

Meanwhile, at least two of Milos Roman, Adam Ruzicka and Martin Pospisil have made Slovakia’s roster. The Slovaks have two cuts to make – a forward and a defenseman – and their decision is pending an update on Pospisil’s health after he missed their last pre-tournament game with an illness. If Pospisil’s good to go, there’s a good chance that all three forwards make the team. Their final roster is likely to be announced by Christmas Eve.

Ruzicka (2017 fourth round pick) played at last year’s World Juniors and is in the midst of another solid (if unspectacular) season with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. Roman (2018 fourth round pick) also played at last year’s World Juniors and is currently part of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. Pospisil (2018 fourth round pick) wasn’t on last year’s team, but was a frequent national team member in years past. He’s one of the USHL’s scoring leaders with the Sioux City Musketeers.

Here’s when you can see the Flames prospects during the round robin:

The top four teams from each group advance to the medal round. Medal round games go Jan. 2, 4 and 5.