Ice Hockey Freshman Named to Sweden National Team

BY ELISE PERSON
STAFF WRITER

Paula Bergström, women’s ice hockey freshman defender, was recently named to the Swedish National Team. The team will play in the Euro Hockey Tour playoffs in Sweden from Wednesday, Feb. 5 to Saturday Feb. 8.

The Euro Hockey Tour is a tournament that prepares teams for the IIHF World Women’s championship, which will take place in Canada from the end of March into mid-April.

Bergström is from Köpmanholmen, Sweden and has been playing in the Swedish National program since playing in the junior league. She has also played as a back-up for the Swedish National Team in past years.

In an interview with LIU Athletics, Bergström said, “I am super excited to play for the national team. Since the tournament will be in Sweden, I am looking forward to playing
back at home.”

Currently, Bergström is a key member of the Sharks ice hockey team. She leads the team with 11 assists, is third on the team with 24 blocked shots, and has scored four goals so far this season.

Rob Morgan, head coach of the women’s ice hockey team, is very excited for Bergström and he is also very confident in her abilities.

“Paula has been put in situations to play against every opponent’s best players. She’s faced the best of Wisconsin, UCONN, Yale, and teams within our conference,” Morgan said. “She’s grown her game, as well as her confidence.”

In the tournament, Team Sweden will play against Russia and the Czech Republic. These games will determine what place Team Sweden will finish in the tournament.

To follow the tournament, fans can stream it live on svenskhockey.tv.