Sportbladet met the talent before leaving for the restroom
Update 15:45 | Posted 15:42
When Tre Kronor introduced the WC band, the spotlight fell on Leo Carlsson.
The 18-year-old super talent goes to Tampere as the big joker.
– It’s not something I could have dreamed of doing, it’s better than riding a summer bike now, he says.
At lunchtime in Arlanda, union captain Sam Hallam introduced Sweden to the Ice Hockey World Cup.
An hour later, the newly elected Leo Carlson arrived by bus from Örebro to the arrivals hall.
Sportbladet met him exclusively when he got off the bus in typical shiny ice hockey World Cup weather.
– Of course, I feel proud if I wear Tre Kronor’s jersey at the World Cup, I never thought that far. I just find it interesting and I’m going there to keep having fun. It’s going to be an experiment, Leo Carlson says, and I’ll take it as it comes.
I found good chemistry.
It’s his usual down-to-earth attitude of being playful and competitive.
– Of course, playing in WC for Tre Kronor wasn’t in my thoughts when this season started, it wasn’t something I could dream of. Then all of my national team focus was on the junior crowns in the JVM, and that was big and important. Now it’s another important step, says Leo Carlson.
After Örebro’s SC semi-final exit against Skellefteå, Leo Karlsson took part in the two caps against Norway and Finland respectively, as well as two of the three matches in the Czech Hockey Games.
– It was step by step and it got tougher and tougher, I feel like it was the right path for me. I’m glad I was able to carry on this far. Before the last game in the Czech hockey games against Finland, I was told I would rest but also be on the WC team. We found very well in the series with Lucas Raymond and Fabian Zetterlund, says Leo Carlsson.
Enjoy something wonderful
After returning home from Brno in the Czech Republic on Sunday evening, Leo Carlsson was at his home in Örebro and returned on Monday.
On Tuesday afternoon, the flight heads to Finland for a three-week restroom.
– It’s calm and relaxed now, I don’t have much to focus on other than hockey. I try not to think too much and feel no pressure, I just want to play hockey. It’s nice to be on the ice for a few more weeks, it’s better than driving through the summer heat now. This is great and I’m enjoying it,” says Leo Carlson.
I checked the lottery draft in the morning
During Tuesday night, this summer’s NHL draft lottery took place.
The Chicago Blackhawks will get first pick and take Canadian Conor Bedard.
The Anaheim Ducks will likely select second-place finisher Adam Fantelli to play in the World Cup for Canada.
Then the question is how the clubs consider the opportunity to get rid of the Russian Matvey Michkov, who contracted with St. Petersburg for another three seasons.
It looks like Leo Carlson will be selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the third pick, the San Jose Sharks with the fourth pick and the Montreal Canadiens with the fifth pick.
– I was at home asleep, but my father and a business agent checked the lottery. It’s hard to say anything and hard to know exactly where you might end up. The only thing I feel certain of right now is that it won’t be the Chicago Blackhawks. The other clubs mentioned sound like great places where there is an exciting future, says Leo Carlsson.
Exclusive collection
When he plays in WC, he ends up in the same company as former 18-year-old Swedish players such as Peter Forsberg, Niklas Backström, Henrik Sedan, Daniel Sedin and Oliver Ekman-Larson who played in the tournament.
– They’re big names that I’ve heard a lot about, though I haven’t seen them play much. I have a long way to go before they can compare me to what they achieved, I don’t want to rush but be here and now. “I just want to keep playing hockey,” says Leo Carlson.
Leo Carlsson is the youngest of them when he turns 26 on December 26.
In the World Cup premiere on Friday, Tre Kronor plays against Germany.
