By Greg -
Team Denmark
Head Coach: Olaf Eller
2016 Finish: Lost in the Quarterfinals to Russia
Wild Prospects: None
Forwards:
Niklas Andersen - Esbjerg Energy
Rasmus T. Andersson - HV71/J20
Joachim Blichfeld - Portland Winterhawks
William Boysen - Rungsted Seier Capital
Mathias From - Rögle BK/J20
Frederik Høeg-Jørgensen - Odense Bulldogs
Jeppe Jul Korsgaard - Aalborg Pirates
Nikolaj Krag Christensen - Rögle BK/J20
Tobias Ladehoff - Aalborg Pirates
David Madsen - Växjö Lakers HC J20
Daniel Nielsen - Herning Blue Fox
Jonas Røndbjerg - Växjö Lakers HC J20
Alexander True - Seattle Thunderbirds
Christian Wejse - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Defensemen:
Oliver Gatz Nielsen - Herning Blue Fox
Morten Jensen - Rögle BK/J18
Anders Koch - Esbjerg Energy
Oliver Joakim Larsen - Odense Bulldogs
Christian Mieritz - Leksands IF/J20
Mathias Røndbjerg - Rungsted Seier Capital
Nicolai Weichel - Rungsted Seier Capital
Goalies:
Emil Gransøe - Topeka Roadrunners
Kasper L. Krog - SønderjyskE
Lasse M. Petersen - Red Deer Rebels
Preliminary Schedule
Monday, December 26th - Sweden vs Denmark - 12:00pm Central - Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Tuesday, December 27th - Denmark vs Finland - 4:30pm Central - Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Thursday, December 29th - Denmark vs Czech Republic - 12:00pm Central - Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Friday, December 30th - Denmark vs Switzerland - 4:00pm Central - Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Team Notes
While it’s been growing over the past few years, hockey still isn’t very popular in the small country of Denmark. Despite that, Denmark has been able to find some success in the past few years as they avoided the relegation round last year with a surprise win over Switzerland and they’ve made it to the quartefinals twice in the past two years. With eleven players returning from last year, Denmark’s situation hasn’t changed much, and they will still likely be fighting to avoid relegation.
The Danes currently have three NHL prospects on their roster. Joachim Blichfeld was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round of this year’s draft, and currently has 28 points in 31 games for the Winterhawks. Nikolaj Krag Christensen was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the seventh round of this year’s draft and currently has 1 points in 27 games for Rögle BK J20 in the SuperElit league in Sweden. Lastly, Mathias From was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 5th round of this year’s draft and has played in both the SuperElit league and SHL.
Meanwhile, David Madsen and Jonas Røndbjerg are both eligible in the upcoming 2017 NHL Draft. Røndbjerg currently has 21 points in 25 games for the Växjö Lakers HC J20 in the SuperElit league and Madsen currently has 11 points in 26 games for the same team. Everyone else on Denmark’s roster has gone undrafted up until this point.
It’s unlikely Denmark will medal this year, but they can still use this tournament to help develop some young players and their national program. The key to avoid relegation for Denmark will be to use their experience to stay disciplined and play well as a unit.
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