Victor Eklund, the younger brother of NHL player William Eklund, is representing the family name at the World Junior Championships (WJC). This opportunity comes after his older brother’s WJC experiences were marred by COVID-19 and a tournament cancellation. Their father, Christian ”Fimpen” Eklund, a former elite league player with over 400 games under his belt, never had the chance to play in the WJC himself. Now, Victor carries the family legacy onto the international stage, aiming to contribute with his characteristic energy and relentless work ethic. He acknowledges the lessons learned from his brother’s NHL journey and maintains constant communication, gleaning insights from William’s experiences in the top tier of professional hockey.
Despite the inevitable comparisons to his older brother, Victor emphasizes their distinct playing styles. While William is described as more of a playmaker, Victor considers himself grittier and more physical. He acknowledges their shared hockey sense and understanding of the game, but differentiates himself as a more robust and aggressive player. He dismisses any pressure to emulate William’s career trajectory, focusing instead on forging his own path. His aspiration to reach the NHL remains steadfast, but he prioritizes his individual development and playing style. He closely follows William’s NHL games, absorbing highlights and analysis, while meticulously avoiding spoilers to preserve the excitement of watching his brother compete.
The younger Eklund is eagerly anticipating the upcoming NHL draft, projected by some to be selected as high as sixth overall, potentially surpassing his brother’s seventh overall selection. He views the WJC as a platform to showcase his skills and attract attention from NHL scouts. However, he downplays the pressure of the draft, emphasizing his focus on playing his game and contributing to the team’s success. In his WJC debut, Eklund delivered a solid performance, albeit without scoring. He quickly rectified this in the second game, scoring the opening goal against Kazakhstan and adding an assist in a dominant 8-1 victory.
Victor is part of a Swedish WJC team notable for its age, being the oldest roster fielded by Sweden since the 2006-07 tournament. With only three underage players, the team’s composition contrasts sharply with other nations like Canada and Finland, who boast significantly younger rosters. This older, more experienced Swedish team also includes Viggo Gustafsson and Linus Eriksson, both born in 2006. Unfortunately, 18-year-old teammate Jack Berglund suffered a hand injury during a pre-tournament game against Germany, sidelining him for the entire WJC.
The Eklund brothers’ hockey journey began under the watchful eye of their father, Christian, who now runs a YouTube channel featuring interviews with hockey personalities. William’s career has taken him to North America, where he is currently playing his fourth season with the San Jose Sharks. He’s had a strong start to the season, contributing significantly to the team’s offense. While the Sharks are currently far from playoff contention, William’s individual performance has been a bright spot, accumulating a respectable number of points.
Victor, born late in 2006, is poised to follow his brother into the professional ranks. The upcoming NHL draft holds immense significance for his future, and his performance at the WJC could influence his draft position. His style of play, characterized by energy, hard work, and a willingness to engage physically, is well-suited to the smaller North American rinks used in the WJC, held this year in Canada. He views this as an advantage, allowing him to showcase his tenacity and competitiveness on the international stage. He embraces the challenge and relishes the opportunity to prove his worth against some of the best young players in the world.
