Sweden enters the 2026 Winter Olympics positioned to challenge for their first medal since 2006. While lacking the individual star power of North American rosters, Sweden’s program has systematically built depth through NCAA development pipelines and PWHL integration.

Safe to say, they now have a balanced roster capable of competing across all four lines.

Sweden’s investment in youth hockey infrastructure and North American placement has produced a generation of players with professional experience and international pedigree. PDub Hockey has evaluated Sweden’s recent roster patterns and player performance to project the 23-player group that will represent the nation in Milano Cortina.

Forwards

Sweden’s top line is expected to feature Sara Hjalmarsson centring Josefin Bouveng and Hilda Svensson, combining PWHL experience with NCAA scoring. This unit provides Sweden’s most consistent offensive threat.

The middle-six benefits from expanding PWHL representation. Lina Ljungblom brings professional experience alongside Hanna Olsson and Hanna Thuvik on the second line. The third unit of Thea Johansson, Sofie Lundin and Ebba Hedqvist will see youth and transition speed without sacrificing defensive responsibility.

Sweden’s fourth line is expected to feature some real forechecking intensity and defensive structure. Nicole Hall, Lisa Johansson and Mira Hallin are projected to fill these roles based on their ability to suppress scoring chances and maintain puck possession in the defensive zone. 

Elin Svensson rounds out the forward group as a versatile depth option capable of sliding into multiple lineup positions.

Defence

Sweden’s defensive corps is expected to feature balanced pairings without a clear number-one unit. Maja Nylen Persson and Anna Kjellbin provide the most PWHL experience and are projected as the top pairing handling power play responsibilities and difficult matchups.

The second pairing of Mira Jungaker and Jenna Raunio brings NCAA development and two-way capability. Both defenders excel in transition and can activate offensively.

Linnea Johansson and Ida Karlsson are projected as the third pairing who have defensive reliability and penalty-killing ability. Emma Forsgren serves as the seventh defender and is expected to provide depth and versatility across multiple pairing combinations.

Goaltending

Emma Söderberg entered the Olympic cycle as the presumptive starter based on international experience and professional performance. However, Ebba Svensson Träff’s recent form has complicated the decision and created legitimate starter competition.

Söderberg maintains the edge based on familiarity with high-pressure situations but the gap has narrowed considerably. Svensson Träff’s technical improvements make her a viable alternative if Sweden’s coaching staff prioritizes current form over established hierarchy.

The third goaltender spot remains open (but maybe Tindra Holm makes a good case), though Sweden will likely lean toward experience given the compressed tournament format and limited opportunity for in-game evaluation.

PDub Hockey projected Team Sweden Olympic roster

Forwards:

Josefin Bouveng, Mira Hallin, Nicole Hall, Ebba Hedqvist, Sara Hjalmarsson, Thea Johansson, Lisa Johansson, Lina Ljungblom, Sofie Lundin, Hanna Olsson, Hilda Svensson, Elin Svensson, Hanna Thuvik.

Defenders:

Emma Forsgren, Linnea Johansson, Mira Jungaker, Ida Karlsson, Anna Kjellbin, Maja Nylen Persson, Jenna Raunio.

Goaltenders:

Emma Söderberg, Ebba Svensson Träff, Tindra Holm

The integration of PWHL professionals with NCAA talent will likely create lineup flexibility and reduce reliance on single players to drive results this year for Sweden.

Whether this approach can deliver Sweden’s first Olympic medal in two decades will depend on goaltending consistency and the ability to execute disciplined hockey against higher-ranked opponents come February.

Olympic roster projections

Follow along and check out all of PDub Hockey’s 2026 Winter Olympics roster projections here:

Team Canada | Team USA | Team Czechia | Team Sweden | Team Finland