“A World Championship on the home ground can mean a lot for all kids playing hockey, says Joel Lundqvist. With this in mind, it was obvious for me to accept the role of ambassador.”
The ambassadors will be the face of the event and help to raise awareness that it will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden. They all four agree that a World Championship at this level creates a positive effect for the sport.
“The world’s best juniors are coming to Sweden. That creates an opportunity for young players to find new role models and build dreams for their own sports, says Joel Lundqvist.
“Ice hockey has meant so much to me. A major world event like this can lead to more people becoming aware of our sport, both prospective active players and spectators. I’m happy to contribute to that”, says Kim Martin.
Three of the ambassadors, Kim Martin, Hanna Olsson, and Joel Lundqvist, will participate in the World Juniors´ activity in Gothenburg during the city’s 400th anniversary celebrations in early June. On June 4, at 14:00-15:30, they will be in Frihamnen to meet fans.
Hanna Olsson is an active ice hockey player from Gothenburg and plays for Frölunda Hockey Club in the national league. Hanna made her first IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship appearance in 2015 and since then she has been with the Swedish national team both at the Olympics and several further IIHF World Champinships.
Kim Martin won both Olympic silver and Olympic bronze with the Swedish national team. On two occasions, she has been named the best hockey player in the world, and last autumn she was named Sweden’s Player of the Season. Today, Kim is sports manager for Frölunda Hocket Club’s women’s team.
Joel Lundqvist has played in both the NHL and SHL and won three IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship golds with Tre Kronor. At home, he is Frölunda Hockey Club’s best goal scorer ever and a celebrated team captain who ended his career in 2023.
Henrik Lundqvist also has a background from Frölunda Hockey Club but after that he has played 15 seasons with the New York Rangers where he ended his successful career in 2021. With Tre Kronor he won both Olympic and World Cup gold.
Contact
Mikael Haglund, general secretary JVM, Swedish Ice Hockey Association, [email protected], +46 709-66 69 23
