Victor Eklund’s Decision on World Championships
Victor Eklund, the highly regarded forward for the New York Islanders and a top prospect, has confirmed he won’t be joining Team Sweden at the upcoming World Championships in 2026, as reported by sources familiar with the situation. The 19-year-old player previously showcased his skills on the international stage, having represented Sweden during the 2025 and 2026 World Junior Championships.
Career Highlights and Development
Eklund was selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, marking the beginning of a demanding season ahead. Shortly after his draft selection, he participated in a development camp before returning to Sweden to gear up for his inaugural season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Djurgården, a club that had just moved up from the country’s second-tier league.
Performance in the SHL and AHL
In his time with Djurgården, Eklund competed in 43 regular-season matches, contributing six goals and 18 assists to his team. He also joined them in the playoffs, playing an additional eight games and racking up three assists. As the playoffs progressed, Eklund made the decision to head back to North America, joining the Bridgeport Islanders in their playoff campaign.
During his first seven games in the American Hockey League (AHL), Eklund made a significant impact by scoring two goals and providing seven assists for a total of nine points. His impressive performance led to an NHL call-up where he made his debut in the Islanders’ last regular-season game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Though the game ended in a 4-1 defeat, Eklund marked the occasion by recording his first NHL point with a secondary assist on a goal by Bo Horvat.
Looking Ahead
Shortly after that game, Eklund was returned to Bridgeport, where he found the net once in his final two AHL regular-season encounters, but could not register any points during their two playoff matchups against the Hershey Bears. Based on his developing skills and contributions, Eklund is well-positioned to secure a spot on the Islanders’ roster for the 2026-27 season, showing promising signs for his future in the NHL.
