Aftonbladet’s Matthias Karlsson reports that Red Wings prospect Simon Edvinsson should return to Team Sweden’s lineup for today’s World Junior Championship Quarterfinal match-up vs. Latvia (3:30 PM EDT start on TSN/NHL Network):
The dream message for the Junior Krona: star defenseman is back
Simon Edvinsson played with food poisoning against the U.S.A. and was missing against Germany.
Now the Swedish star defender will be ready to play in the WJC quarter-final against Latvia.
During Tuesday, the 19-year-old practiced fully with the Junior Crowns in Edmonton.
Simon was suddenly missing from the lineup in the last group stage game against Germany.
After the game, the national team captain, Tomas Monten, said that the defenseman was unavailable.
The uncertainty surrounding the important player was worrisome ahead of the playoffs, where Latvia awaits the WJC quarter-finals
Practiced on the ice
SVT’s seasoned reporter Dusan Umicevic was the first to report the reassuring news on Twitter: “Update on Simon Edvinsson. Played with food posioning against the USA and therefore couldn’t play against Germany. Ready for Latvia and the quarters.”
When the Junior Crowns practiced on Tuesday, Simon Edvinsson was also able tto participate seemingly unhindered on the ice.
The Junior Crowns lost the penultimate group stage game 3-2 against the USA and won the final group stage game against Germany 4-2.
Playing of the first defensive pair
Simon Edvinsson had a big breakthrough with Frolunda last season, and has signed a 3-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.
Sportbladet’s ice hockey expert, Hans Abrahamsson, has ranked Simon Edvinsson as the WJC’s next biggest star after the newly-arrived 17-year-old Connor Bedard, the right-shooting center for Canada.
With the Junior Crowns, Simon Edvinsson has played on a defensive pair with right-handed shooter Helge Grans from the Ontario Reign of the AHL.
Sweden-Latvia will be played at 9:30 PM Swedish time on Wednesday evening.
