Injury Woes for Victor Eklund Cast Shadow Over Sweden’s Junior World Championship Hopes

Victor Eklund, a pivotal player for Djurgården and a key offensive talent for the Swedish junior national hockey team, suffered a troubling leg injury during an SHL match against Timrå. The injury occurred after a hard hit from Timrå’s Anton Lander, who was penalized for slashing following the incident. Eklund was forced to leave the game, unable to return, sparking concern among commentators and fans alike. Notably, Staffan Kronwall expressed alarm on TV4 Play, noting the unusual severity since such injuries typically heal quickly.

Despite this setback, Eklund remains part of the Swedish squad coached by Magnus Hävelid, expected to take a leading role alongside teammates Anton Frondell and Ivar Stenberg at the upcoming Junior World Championship. The Juniorkronorna are scheduled to depart for the USA on December 13, where they will play three preparatory matches ahead of the tournament which starts on December 26.

Djurgården’s match ended in a 2-2 draw, ultimately decided by penalties, with 17-year-old Viggo Björck scoring the decisive penalty. While Eklund’s injury raises questions about his tournament readiness, the team remains focused on final preparations in the lead-up to the championship in the United States.