Mats Sundin on the JVM-fire speech – Swedish Radio

On Tuesday, pulling the Swedish Junior crowns over to Canada where the World Junior Hockey beginning on 26 December. The day before the departure talked legend Mats Sundin with the players, at a hotel at Arlanda airport.

– I thought, what could give these guys for advice, they are already established and plays in the SHL. However, a message is surely enjoy this JVM tournament now. They come to the hockey Mecca in Toronto and Montreal. There will be more focus on the JVM than the NHL’s core selection. It will be a fantastic experience, says Mats Sundin to Radiosporten.

– While it is important for the players to not be blinded by everything that happens around. Continue to work hard and take responsibility for your own careers. Do not be content with it flattens out, continue to develop.

Did you have someone who inspired you in the corresponding Aler?

– There were many man looking up to. Kenta Nilsson and Mats Naslund and even Mario Lemieux was a big idol.

As you spoke with, or just looked at?

– Mats Naslund and Kenta Nilsson, I played with in my first World Cup in 1990 in Bern. Then I was with as a teenager and was able to talk to these older players. I thought it was fun to hear what the established players had to say.

JVM played in your old arena in Toronto, what is it that waiting for the Swedish players?

– Yes it will be a great pressure. JVM can not go to a better place, I think than in Montreal and Toronto.

There are the two cities where the hockey culture’s best. I want to compare with Barcelona in football, or Manchester United or Real Madrid. That kind of fanatical culture and tradition are around these cities and their hockey team. And therefore I believe that this JVM tournament will be special.

How much interest is there for the JVM in Canada?

– There is a huge interest. There I also mentioned to the guys here, that the only thing that beats the interest in the JVM’s Olympic tournaments when all the best players are with or World Cup. JVM is larger than a typical VM. It starts of course be the same in Sweden. There is an interest to see tomorrow’s stars and junior hockey is very fun to see.

How do you think it goes to Sweden?

– We hope the obvious that these guys win and take home the gold. Now there has been some silver medals in a row so now it’s time for a gold again.

Sweden’s first match in the JVM played against the Czech Republic late on Boxing Day, December 26, Swedish time.

Martin Hedberg
martin.hedberg@sverigesradio.se