During the week, a total of four leaders (including national team captain Tomas Montén) in the Juniorkronorna's leadership staff tested positive for covid-19, and are thus stopped from going with the team to Canada.
During the week, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association has been in contact with Canada residents Daniel Alfredsson, Henric Alfredsson and Andreas Karlsson to strengthen the management staff.
Everyone said yes, but was stopped by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
"The question of adding Swedish leaders living in Canada was raised with the International Ice Hockey Federation's president René Fasel, but yesterday SIF was informed that no further leaders can join the team, based on the rules on quarantine that apply to the tournament," writes the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation in a press release .
Complemented by U18 coaches
Instead, the team will now be led by Joel Rönnmark, who on a daily basis is the J18 coach for Växjö alongside his job as assistant national team captain.
He is complemented by the U18 national team's national team captain Anders Eriksén and video coach Jason Pietrzykowski.
- In my conversations with IIHF President René Fasel, however, it has been clear that it is impossible to let new leaders get into the "bubble" at a later stage.
We had obviously hoped for another message but have respect for the decision from an infection point of view.
With that said, it is also impressive to see how big profiles like Daniel Alfredsson, Henric Alfredsson and Andreas Karlsson are prepared to stand up for Swedish ice hockey and the Junior Crowns in this challenging time and at short notice, says the Swedish Ice Hockey Association's chairman Anders Larsson.
The covid-infected leaders will assist from home in Sweden.