Nothing sweeter for a Swede

December 13th, 2007

by Marc Weber - The Province

Oscar Moller will suit up for Team Sweden at the upcoming World Junior Tournament in the Czech Republic. Sweden plays Canada on TSN December 29th, 10:30am Pacific time.  - Bob Frid photo.

Oscar Moller is mesmerized.

Staring at the Swedish flag that rests in the rafters of Prospera Centre, the Chilliwack Bruins blue-chip centre wears a toothless, dimpled grin that makes him look like a kid in a candy store.

He pretty much is these days.

"I couldn't be happier right now, I couldn't be more proud," Moller beams when speaking about his world junior team selection. "It really means a lot to me. To represent Sweden and to come from Chilliwack -- it's going to be a great experience."

The world junior championship runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic. Moller left for Sweden today for a brief acclimatization and training period.

The 18-year-old from Spanga, just outside of Stockholm, knows what it means to pull on the Tre Kronor sweater. He also knows what it feels like to be denied that opportunity.

Moller helped lead Team Sweden to the Mac's midget tournament title in 2006 and captained his country at the 2007 under-18 world championship. Last Christmas, however, with the world juniors in his homeland, Moller's trip to Sweden was more about smorgasbords than slapshots. Despite piling up 32 goals and 69 points as a 17-year-old WHL rookie, he was left off the squad.

"As an '89 guy last year it was going to be tough," he says. "I was a little bit disappointed, but Sweden had a good team and there are some older guys and they had their chance first.

"I remember the first time I pulled on that [national team] jersey -- it felt like I was a couple of years older actually. It was a great moment and it's just as exciting every time. I can't wait."

This Swedish squad is looking to build on a fourth-place finish from 2007, but it will need an exceptional effort to put itself on the podium ahead of Canada, the U.S. and Russia.

"I think we all want to go for the gold medal, of course, but it's going to be really tough," admits Moller, a fourth-round NHL pick of the L.A. Kings.

Sweden, in a pool with Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Denmark, features two other major junior players in forward Robin Figren of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Mario Kempe of the St. John's Fog Devils.

Top domestic players include first-round picks Patrik Berglund (St. Louis, 2006) and Mikael Backlund (Calgary, 2007), as well as third-rounder Joakim Andersson (Detroit, 2007). Moller, Backlund and Andersson all played together on the Mac's midget team that wowed in Calgary.

Now with a spot on the world stage, it's Moller who has the chance to mesmerize.

"I know it's really big over here [in Canada] and it's really big back home, too," he says. "This is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do playing against the best players in the world."

Sweden plays Canada on TSN December 29th, 10:30am Pacific time.