Forsberg, Sundin and Lidström will lead Team Sweden

 Forward Peter Forsberg will lead a group of seasoned Swedish veterans in the World Cup of Hockey.

As the Swedish hockey media gathered for the press conference it was more of "who won't make it"  than "who will". Hardy Nilsson picked 14 players who represented the Tre Kronor at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. That's the same number of Salt Lake City veterans as Team Canada announced for their World Cup roster on Saturday.

Notable absentees are defenseman Kenny Jonsson (NY Islanders), goalie Johan Hedberg (Vancouver Canucks) and forwards Michael Nylander (Boston Bruins) and Jonas Hoglund (HC Davos). Nilsson selected 24 players from the NHL and only two from the Swedish Elitserien, namely goalie Henrik Lundqvist (Frölunda) and forward Jörgen Jönsson (Färjestad).

The Sedin-twins will be back in the Swedish national team after being left out in Salt Lake, while forwards Nils Ekman (San José), Marcus Nilsson (Calgary) and Samuel Pahlsson (Anaheim) can be considered as minor surprises.

Sweden lost in the semi-final against Canada at Philadelphia in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey when Theo Fleury scored an overtime goal (3-2) after nearly five periods of play.

The World Cup of Hockey (www.wch2004.com - August 30 - September 14)  is a NHL and NHLPA organized tournament in co-operation with the IIHF and it will be played according to the NHL rulebook. Team Sweden will be the second team to announce its roster as they hold a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden on Monday, May 17.  

The Swedish roster:

Goaltenders:
Lundqvist Henrik, Västra Frölunda HC
Salo Tommy, Colorado Avalanche
Tellqvist Mikael, Toronto Maple Leafs
 
Defensemen:
Bäckman Christian, St.Louis Blues
Johnsson Kim, Philadelphia Flyers
Lidström Nicklas, Detroit Red Wings
Norström Mattias, Los Angeles Kings
Ragnarsson Marcus, Philadelphia Flyers
Tjärnqvist Daniel, Atlanta Thrashers
Tärnström Dick, Pittsburgh Penguins
Öhlund Mattias, Vancouver Canucks
 
Forwards:
Alfredsson Daniel, Ottawa Senators
Axelsson Per-Johan, Boston Bruins
Ekman Nils, San Jose Sharks
Forsberg Peter, Colorado Avalanche
Holmström Tomas, Detroit Red Wings
Johansson Andreas, Nashville Predators
Jönsson Jörgen, Färjestads BK
Modin Fredrik, Tampa Bay Lightning
Nilson Marcus, Calgary Flames
Näslund Markus, Vancouver Canucks
PÃ¥hlsson Samuel, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Sedin Daniel, Vancouver Canucks
Sedin Henrik, Vancouver Canucks
Sundin Mats, Toronto Maple Leafs
Zetterberg Henrik, Detroit Red Wings