Sweden invites 19 NHL draftees to WJC select camp

The Swedish Ice Hockey Association named seven returnees and 19 players drafted by NHL teams to its preliminary roster that will compete for spots in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship later this month.

Among the returning players are forwards Jacob de la Rose (Montreal Canadiens, No. 34, 2013) and Anton Karlsson (Arizona Coyotes, No. 87, 2014) and defenseman Robert Hagg (Philadelphia Flyers, No. 41, 2013). First-round draft picks William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs, No. 8, 2014), Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings, No. 29, 2014) and Andre Burakovsky (Washington Capitals, No. 23, 2013) also were chosen.

Burakovsky has four goals and 13 points in 25 games with the Capitals this season. The Capi8tals have not decided if Burakovsky will be allowed to play in the tournament.

"We asked the Washington Capitals about Andre and didn't get a yes, nor a no [on his participation]," Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg told swehockey.se. "They asked in return how long we can wait to get a definitive decision and we replied, 'Almost until the tournament starts.'"

Three goaltenders, eight defensemen and 15 forwards were named to the selection camp roster.

Sweden lost to Finland 3-2 in overtime in the gold-medal game of the 2014 WJC and won its second straight silver medal.

Gronborg will hold selection camp in Ottawa, Ontario, from Dec. 16-23. The final roster likely be set Dec. 24.

The roster also features two A-rated skaters on NHL Central Scouting's November players to watch list for the 2015 NHL Draft: defenseman Oliver Kylington of Farjestads in Sweden and right wing Jens Looke of Brynas in Sweden.

In addition, 2016 draft-eligible center Rasmus Asplund was invited to camp. He has one assist in 15 games for Farjestad's team in Sweden's junior league this season.

SWEDISH NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM PRELIMINARY ROSTER

GOALIES: Jonas Johansson, Brynas, SWE (Buffalo Sabres); Linus Soderstrom, Djurgarden Jr., SWE-JR (New York Islanders); Samuel Ward, Asploven, SWE-2 (2015 draft eligible)

DEFENSEMEN: Sebastian Aho, Skelleftea, SWE (2015 draft eligible); Julius Bergman, London, OHL (San Jose Sharks); Andreas Englund, Djurgarden Jr., SWE-JR (Ottawa Senators); Gustav Forsling, Linkoping, SWE (Vancouver Canucks); Robert Hagg, Lehigh Valley, AHL (Philadelphia Flyers); Oliver Kylington, Farjestad, SWE (2015 draft eligible); William Lagesson, Dubuque, USHL (Edmonton Oilers); Robin Norell, Djurgarden, SWE (Chicago Blackhawks)

FORWARDS: Rasmus Asplund, Farjestad Jr., SWE-JR (2016 draft eligible); Anton Blidh, Frolunda, SWE (Boston Bruins); Leon Bristedt, Minnesota, BIG 10 (2015 draft eligible); Adam Brodecki, Brynas, SWE (2015 draft eligible); Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals; Jacob de la Rose, Hamilton, AHL (Montreal Canadiens); Christoffer Ehn, Frolunda Jr., SWE-JR (Detroit Red Wings); Axel Holmstrom, Skelleftea Jr., SWE-JR (Detroit Red Wings); Anton Karlsson, Frolunda Jr., SWE-JR (Arizona Coyotes); Adrian Kempe, Modo, SWE (Los Angeles Kings); Oskar Lindblom, Brynas, SWE (Philadelphia Flyers); Jens Looke, Brynas, SWE (2015 draft eligible); William Nylander, Modo, SWE (Toronto Maple Leafs); Victor Olofsson, Modo, SWE (Buffalo Sabres); Lucas Wallmark, Lulea, SWE (Carolina Hurricanes)

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