During this past week's international break, Skelleftea defenceman Marcus Pettersson played for Sweden's U20 team, looking to secure a spot on his native country's roster for this year's World Junior Championship.

by Leo Runsas

HAKAMETSA, Finland – As many players were playing games for their national teams this past week, this was true for the under-20 age category as well. Europe's top four national junior teams – Finland, Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic – gathered in the country that will host this year's World Junior Championship, and every player here is gunning for a spot in the world's most prestigious junior hockey tournament. 

One of those players is Marcus Pettersson, Skelleftea AIK's 19-year-old defenceman who was drafted in the 2nd round by the NHL's Anaheim Ducks in 2014. Pettersson played in the U18 World Championship that year, but wants to make it to his first U20 championship this year.  

“I want to make the team,” Pettersson stated simply. “That is what we are here for, to show the coaches that you want to play there. I am here just to win games and play my best so I make the team.”

Sweden opened the tournament with a 3–2 overtime loss to Russia. According to Pettersson, it was a game that could have gone either way.

“This was a tough loss. It was a close game, it had two teams that were skilled and wanted to compete.”

Pettersson was born in Skelleftea and has played for his hometown club almost his whole career. This season has been an improvement compared to last season, and it seems he will spend the whole season with the big club for the first time. Pettersson has two points in 16 SHL games so far.

“I had a pretty good year last year but I feel like my game has improved a lot this year. I feel like I take more responsibility out there and play with more confidence. It has been a good year for me so far. I've just got to keep it going and not stop doing anything.”

Pettersson is competing in his second Champions Hockey League season. Last year he played in eight of Skelleftea's CHL games on the way to the semi-finals. So far this season he has four points in seven games. After winning 5–2 in Berlin last Tuesday, Skelleftea are in good shape to return to the quarter-finals if they can avoid losing by 3 or more goals to Die Eisbaren this week. 

“The CHL is a fun tournament. We have been able to go to places like Prague and Berlin and see what Europe has to bring.”