In this series, we’ll be asking various Nashville Predators players about their personal memories of the World Junior Championships. The 2019 tournament is being held in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and started on December 26 and concludes with the Gold Medal Game on January 5.
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Mattias Ekholm
Team Sweden, 2010 (bronze medal)
Jeremy K. Gover: “I want to bring you back to your World Juniors experience in 2010. What was that opportunity like to lace your skates up and take the ice on that grand stage?”
Mattias Ekholm: “Yeah, at that age, it’s the biggest thing you can play in. It’s something you work hard for all your life, that one step on the ladder. We had an opportunity to be in Canada and, to see the fans and to see the atmosphere and to be a part of that, it was awesome. It was something that you will always remember and be grateful that you were a part of.”
JKG: “How much pride was there to walk into that locker room and see your name plate on your stall and see your name on that Swedish jersey?”
ME: “Oh, it was huge. I can’t express it enough. It’s the first time that you really get acknowledged for the hard work you’ve put into hockey. To play for your country is always such a huge honor. I can’t really tell you, it’s one of those things that you kind of have to experience for yourself. I can’t really put words to it.”
JKG: “You probably knew your teammates by name before you even walked in the room that first time but is it safe to say that, from that experience, lifelong friendships developed?”
ME: “Yeah, for sure. We were in Canada. For us playing junior in Sweden, we don’t have more than a couple hundred maybe in the stands. So, to come over there and see 16,000 screaming fans, I mean it’s a pressure moment. I think guys bond and try to help each other out and really try to embrace the challenge together. Not just being themselves but trying to help each other out. For sure, it’s friends you keep for life.”
JKG: “Are there maybe one or two memories from that entire bronze medal winning run that stays with you?”
ME: “I think just the overall experience, to be honest with you. I can’t just put my finger on just one thing. Obviously the crowd and the atmosphere was awesome. Just to be able to compete against the best in the world in your age group obviously is a huge thing too. No, I mean I can’t point at one or two things because the whole experience was awesome. I’ll just keep it at that.”
JKG: “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
ME: “Thank you.”
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Listen to the Preds Profile piece on World Junior Memories that originally aired on the Nashville Predators Pre-Game Show on Thursday, December 27 below.