Will Sweden's Tre Kronor keep up the tradition and be a top contender again this year? As usual Bengt-Åke Gustavsson will try to build a team that works well together. But what has been the hallmark of successful Swedish teams in the past years, good goaltending and solid defense, looks just a little bit thinner this year.

Goaltenders
Two goaltenders have been registered for Sweden so far, Stefan Liv and Johan Holmqvist. Stefan Liv has been a mainstay of Tre Kronor for the past 9 years and Johan Holmqvist has also showed his prowess when he has been called up. Neither had a stellar season in Elitserien though, ranking in the middle of the pack, and they did not fare any better in the Czech Hockey Games leading up to the IHWC tournament.

Perhaps the third goaltender in place in Switzerland, Jonas Gustavsson, is the answer to Bengt-Åke Gustavsson's woes. He had a stellar season with Färjestad and had 5 shutouts in the Elitserien playoffs. He is however untried internationally.

Defense
Kenny Jönsson is the biggest anchor in the Swedish defense and he is also named team captain. If he can play to his normal standards he will be an excellent asset. The other defenders registered are all solid d-men where I believe Johan Åkerman and Tobias Enström will be key players. It feels as if the depth could be better in the Swedish defense.

Forwards
Both Linus Omark and Johan Harju had great seasons in Luleå this year. It is hoped they will be able to contribute up front for Tre Kronor. They are both untested in IHWC tournaments however. Another debutant that shows a lot of promise is Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars who had a major break through in NHL this year with 36 goals and 63 points in 82 games.

Tony Mårtensson and Mattias Weinhandl are a pair that produced a lot together in Linköping a year ago. They have played in KHL this past season and will stir things up for the opposing defenders.

Late additions
There are some NHL players waiting in the wings, Patrik Berglund from St.Louis and Kristian Huselius from Columbus is coming and perhaps Bengt-Åke Gustavsson will try to keep roster spots open for more late additions as the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs draws to a close.

SWEDEN 2009 IHWC ROSTER (* games played for the national team in parenthesis)

Goaltenders
01. Stefan Liv, HV71 (116)
30. Johan Holmqvist, HC Frölunda (56)
50. Jonas Gustavsson, Färjestads BK

Defense
02. Nicklas Grossmann, Dallas Stars (NHL) (0)
04. Johan Åkerman, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) (38)
06. Magnus Johansson, Atlant Mytischy (KHL) (155)
28. Dick Tärnström, AIK Stockholm (SWE-1) (77)
29. Kenny Jönsson, Rögle BK (127)
30. Tobias Enström, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) (21)

Reserves: 18. Oscar Hedman (Frölunda), 11. Carl Gunnarsson (Linköping)

Forwards
09. Tony Mårtensson, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) (73)
10. Martin Thörnberg, HV71 (27)
12. Christian Berglund, SC Rapperwil-Jona (SUI)
15. Rickard Wallin, Färjestads BK (72)
16. Johan Andersson, Timrå IK (33)
20. Joel Lundqvist, Dallas Stars (NHL) (38)
21. Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars (NHL) (0)
22. Nicklas Persson, Linköpings HC (11)
23. Linus Omark, Luleå HF (11)
24. Johan Harju, Luleå HF (25)
26. Marcus Nilsson, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
80. Mattias Weinhandl, Dynamo Moscow (KHL) (80)
XX. Kristian Huselius, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)

Average age: 27 (185 cm/88 kg)

Head coach: Bengt-Åke Gustavsson
Assistant Coaches: Roger Rönnberg & Anders Eldebrink
Team Manager: Mats Näslund