Sweden Prepares for 2025 Junior World Ice Hockey Championship Alongside Finland's Key Player Absence

The 2025 Junior World Ice Hockey Championship (JVM) is set to take place from December 26 to January 6 in the United States, with extensive live coverage by Swedish broadcaster SVT. Sweden is gearing up for the tournament with Victor Eklund highlighted as a key player to watch this year.

A notable development ahead of the championship is Finland's loss of a crucial player, Konsta Helenius. The 19-year-old forward has been withheld by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, whose newly appointed general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen explained that Helenius's strong performance this season in the American Hockey League (AHL) earned him this retention. Helenius has scored 24 points (9 goals and 15 assists) in 26 games for the Rochester Americans and is considered close to securing a spot in the NHL.

Helenius had previously competed in two Junior World Championships and was expected to be a standout for Finland, making his absence a significant blow to the Finnish squad's prospects.

Meanwhile, Sweden looks to capitalize on the opportunity, focusing on players like Victor Eklund to make an impact during the championship. SVT's comprehensive reporting will follow all developments closely throughout the tournament.