The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to begin soon, and each women’s ice hockey team is getting ready to try and bring home gold for their nation. Team Sweden is comprised of players from both the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and players competing in Europe. Here are the three players on Sweden’s women’s team to keep an eye on during the Olympic tournament.
Olympic Experience: Sara Hjalmarsson
PWHL rookie Sara Hjalmarsson was only drafted in the 2025 Entry Draft, but she is a seasoned hockey player through and through. She was drafted by the Toronto Sceptres in the fifth round, 35th overall, and has played in all 16 games for Toronto this season. Hjalmarsson has yet to score her first PWHL goal, but don’t let that fool you.
Throughout her collegiate career, she played in 150 games at Providence College and recorded 122 points. After her time at Providence College came to an end, she went back to play in Europe, where she played for Linköping HC in Sweden. She played here for three seasons, recording 77 points in 83 games. She was also the captain in her first two seasons.
The 2026 Olympics will mark Hjalmarsson’s third Olympic Games. She previously represented Sweden in the 2018 and 2022 Games.
This Is Your Captain Speaking: Anna Kjellbin
Defender Anna Kjellbin has played in the PWHL for the last two seasons, first for the Montreal Victoire, and then, halfway through the season, she was traded to the Toronto Sceptres in exchange for Kaitlin Willoughby. Following the 2024-25 season, Kjellbin signed a one-year contract with Toronto.
Related: 3 Players on Czechia’s Women’s Team to Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics
So far in the 2025-26 season, she has played in 16 games and recorded four points thanks to one goal and three assists. She plays a clean defensive game, since she has yet to record any penalty minutes this season. Throughout her entire PWHL career, she has only recorded four.
This marks Kjellbin’s second Olympic Games, as she represented Sweden in 2022. These Games are special for her, though, as Kjellbin was named the team captain for Sweden. She has worn the “A”, marking her as an alternate captain, in past World Championships, but this is the first time she has been named captain. Her leadership skills have proven themselves in the past; without a doubt, this was the best choice for Sweden.
Defensive Strength: Maja Nylen Persson
New York Sirens defender Maja Nylen Persson is looking to add more defensive strength to Sweden’s blue line. Just like Kjellbin, Persson has recorded four points via one goal and three assists. Unlike her, Persson has a dirtier style of play, as she has racked up 14 penalty minutes in the season so far. This is only her second season in the PWHL, and she has a total of 16 penalty minutes, after only recording one penalty in the season prior.
Persson might have racked up the penalty minutes this season, but she is still a strong defensive player. She continues to level up the Sirens’ blue line and will look to elevate the defensive strength for her home country as well.
Like Kjellbin and Hjalmarsson, Persson has Olympic experience. She joined the two players in the 2022 Olympics, and this will mark the second time she gets to represent her country at the Olympic level.
Sweden Begins Their Olympic Journey on Thursday
The stage is set, and Sweden will play the first game of the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 5. They will take on Germany at 6:10 AM ET.
