Sweden Loses NHL Star William Eklund to Injury Ahead of World Championship

Sweden's William Eklund will miss the World Championship due to a hand injury, dealing a blow to the team's chances.

Sweden's World Championship hopes have taken a hit with the news that forward William Eklund will miss the tournament due to a hand injury. The 22-year-old San Jose Sharks player suffered a severe cut to his hand during Sweden's 4-2 win over the Czech Republic in the Czech Hockey Games. Unfortunately, the injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined for three months, ruling him out of the World Championship.

Eklund, who scored 58 points in 77 games for the Sharks this season, was a key player for Sweden. His absence will be felt in the lineup. The Sweden national team, Tre Kronor, confirmed the news on social media, announcing that Eklund won't participate in the tournament, which Sweden is co-hosting with Denmark.

William Eklund's hand injury forces him to miss his first World Championship, despite making his senior international debut in 2021. Sweden's roster now stands at 25 players under coach Sam Hallam's long list, the maximum allowed for the event.

Scary stuff as Sharks forward William Eklund caught a skate to the wrist/hand area in a friendly game against Czechia.

His status for the 2025 IIHF World Championship is questionable.

pic.twitter.com/oLVJ8BqHgR

— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) May 3, 2025

The team includes 10 NHL players, such as Alexander Wennberg, who plays alongside Eklund with the San Jose Sharks. Wennberg will still participate in the tournament. Sweden co-hosts the World Championship with Denmark.

Sweden, the bronze medalist from last year's World Championship, will kick off their campaign to improve on that finish with a matchup against Slovakia in Group A on Friday. All Group A matches will be held at Stockholm's Avicii Arena.

The tournament will feature games in both Sweden and Denmark, with the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning hosting Group B matches. The quarterfinals will be split between the two venues, while Stockholm's Avicii Arena will host the semifinals and medal matches.