On the roster
Rangers’ Hugg gets shot at world juniors
KITCHENER — Rickard Hugg has always been a fan of the world junior hockey championship.
“I watched it every year growing up,” said the 19-year-old Kitchener Rangers forward.
One moment sticks out in particular for the Swede. He was just 13 at the time and had his eyes glued to the television over the Christmas holidays at his grandpa Hans’ house in Mockfjard, Sweden. “Mika Zibanejad scoring the winning goal in overtime in the golden game,” said Hugg, referring to the 2012 final that saw Sweden beat Russia 1-0 in Calgary. “That’s one of my memories for sure.”
Now Hugg, who leads the Blueshirts in scoring with 32 points in 28 games, is getting his chance to make a mark for his homeland.
The winger was named to Sweden’s preliminary roster for the upcoming world junior tournament, which runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Vancouver and Victoria.
Fifteen forwards are expected to be in the mix once the Swedes add Isac Lundestrom from the American Hockey League, which means Hugg will have to survive two cuts up front.
“It has been a goal of mine ever since I started playing hockey so I’m really happy,” he said. “Putting on the Sweden jersey ... only a few guys get to do it. It’s a great feeling.”
Hugg is enjoying a breakout campaign for the Rangers after a shaky rookie year. The Hudiksvall native didn’t score his first goal until the 25th game last season but potted two in his third tilt this time around.
He’s already set a career high in goals (13) and tied last year’s output (32 points) with more than half a season still to go.
“I wasn’t too happy with my first year,” he said. “I really wanted to have a bounce back season.”
And now he’s hoping to parlay his play into a roster spot with Sweden.
The team kicks off its camp Dec. 15 in Kelowna, B.C., which means Hugg shouldn’t miss any Rangers games leading up to the holiday break.
Remarkably, Sweden has only won the world junior tournament twice — in 1981 and 2012.
“We’ve had some really good teams,” said Hugg, who has represented his country at four different age levels in the past. “It’s a really tough tournament to win.”
The idea of hearing Sweden’s national anthem while a medal is placed around his neck is something that gives Hugg chills.
“It would be unreal,” he said. “But that’s a long way away.”
Rangers head trainer Dan Lebold will also be headed west later this month as one of two equipment managers on Canada’s bench. It will be the veteran’s fourth trip to work the world juniors.