Latest news with #Hallam
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will Leafs' William Nylander Rise To The Occasion At The World Championship In Sweden?
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - With the 2025 IIHF men's World Championship elimination rounds set to begin on Thursday, Team Sweden received a grand surprise: the presence of William Nylander. Nylander arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, just a few days after the Toronto Maple Leafs' crushing playoff defeat to the Florida Panthers. While Nylander's arrival surprised many in the media, given his pride in his country, it was no surprise to members of Team Sweden. "No, not really," Rasmus Andersson said. "He's from Stockholm, he's a local kid… He seems like he's in good spirits, and he's excited to be here." This will mark Nylander's fourth appearance at the World Championship, and it will be extra special this year as he gets to play in front of the hometown fans. Sweden will face off against Team Czechia in the quarterfinals, and Nylander adds a totally new element to this matchup. Maybe the Maple Leafs are known for their post-season failures and shrinking during the most important moments, but Nylander's reputation is the opposite. The 29-year-old right winger elevates his game when the lights are brighter and the stage is bigger. "He has that swagger, and he's a hell of a hockey player," Andersson said. "You always see quotes from him that the stage is never too big. It feels like he's been a really good player for a long time, and he's dealt with the pressure really well." World Championship Quarterfinals Are Set, With Key NHL Players Leading The Way The preliminary round is over at the 2025 IIHF men's World Championship, and the quarterfinals of the tournament are set for Thursday, May 22. After practice on Thursday, where Nylander was present, Sweden coach Sam Hallam did not confirm if he would play in the quarterfinal. "I mean, there are no guarantees, but we know he loves to play hockey, and the opportunity to play in Stockholm for a national team doesn't occur that often," Hallam said of Nylander. "You never know the player's status physically after a tough series like that, but he felt fresh and ready to go." They call him 'Willy Styles' for a reason. He's cool, calm, and collected at all times while he plays the game in such a flashy manner that has fans on the edge of their seat. Just Nylander's presence alone will boost Sweden on the ice and from a mental standpoint. "He has a swagger on the ice, he has a calmness, and kindness in the group," Hallam said. "He affects both the locker room and the game on the ice in a good way." Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Campaign for fresh Summerland inquest 'marches on', survivor says
Campaigners calling for the Summerland fire disaster inquest verdict to be overturned have vowed to "march on" with their "fight for justice" after a bid to have a fresh hearing was Isle of Man's Attorney General turned down a formal application by Belfast-based human rights law firm Phoenix Law on behalf of the Justice for Summerland campaign deaths of 50 people in the blaze at the leisure complex on 2 August 1973 were ruled to be Hallam, who lost her mother and best friend in the blaze, said she was "disappointed" by what was "another hurdle in the path for justice". About 3,000 people were inside the leisure complex on Douglas Promenade when the fire, thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking, took hold on 2 August 1973.A public inquiry held in the aftermath found there were "no villains", only human beings who made the application for a fresh inquest in March, Phoenix Law argued there had been an "irregularity of proceedings in the original inquest", which had not commented on or addressed "substantial issues" including the cause of the the bid a spokesman for the Attorney General's Chambers said the investigations and findings of the report, produced by the Summerland Fire Commission in 1974, "comprised a thorough, effective and proportionate inquiry into how the fire took hold and spread, and how it came to be so fatal".The campaign group, which represents some of the victims and survivors of the tragedy, previously called the decision "deplorable" and confirmed they aimed to challenge it "before the High Court". Ms Hallam, who was 13 at the time, was on holiday with her mother Lorna Bryson Norton and best friend Jane Tallon when the fire broke the events, she said: "I made it out after being trapped, but I returned home alone."Ms Hallam said the campaign to have the verdict overturned was an "extremely difficult journey" for her and other members of the group connected to the disaster but it was "too important to let go"."We consider that this has been a debt outstanding, really it's been unaddressed and unpaid for almost 52 years." "We are fighting for people we lost and we are fighting for justice," she said."We were not surprised at the rejection but it has galvanised our resolve."We are not deterred, this is a campaign that is marching on."Phoenix Law has been contacted for a comment. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Swedish coach makes no apologies for turning down Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark
Team Sweden coach Sam Hallam can understand Linus Ullmark's frustration and disappointment. Article content Article content 'I fully respect Linus' feelings of probably being really pissed off at me for making the decision and very disappointed,' Hallam told a Swedish newspaper earlier this week. 'It's part of the game and I think his statements are transparent and good, and that he stands by it.' Article content Article content Hallam didn't want to go back on his word. Article content Article content The coach of Team Sweden for the 2025 IIHF world championship says he didn't mean to offend the Ottawa Senators goaltender when the country turned down his offer to suit up. Article content Ullmark and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson both reached out to Team Sweden officials to wear the Tre Kronor when the tourney gets underway Friday in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark, but were informed their services weren't required. Article content The Senators were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs by the Toronto Maple Leafs a week ago and the Wild were sent packing by the Vegas Golden Knights. Article content Hallam told Swedish newspapers that Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils already had agreed to play at the time Ullmark and Gustavsson's representatives called the club. Article content The Swedes had also committed to Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers and Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks. Article content 'When we had the opportunity to bring in both Samuel Ersson and Arvid Söderblom, we were very confident to start there,' Hallam said. 'We were well aware that we had more goalies who entered the playoffs and who are at a very high level. It is a position that I do not want to gamble or take chances with. Article content Article content 'There are more opportunities on both the back and forward sides to play a little higher games. When we had the opportunity to bring in both Sammy and Arvid, it felt like a good fit. Article content Article content 'A lot happens in the playoffs, there can be both injuries and them winning their hockey games. So that is why we really wanted to be safe with having two in place, then we hoped to spice it up with a really good goalie and that is what happened.' Article content Ullmark expressed disappointment when asked by Postmedia during the club's end-of-season media availability on Saturday if he was going to play for Sweden on his home soil. Article content 'It would have been a great opportunity to play for Team Sweden back home in Stockholm,' Ullmark said. 'So, I'm let down about that whole situation. I really wish that I had the opportunity to do that and put the national team jersey on, especially when we didn't make it to the second round. Article content 'You don't want to play at the world championship in any way because you don't want to be available. That's the thing, you always want to say, 'Sorry I can't come, I'm playing second or third round.' It just meant a bit more this year, being home in Sweden and having friends and family come watch you.
Vancouver Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Swedish coach makes no apologies for turning down Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark
Team Sweden coach Sam Hallam can understand Linus Ullmark's frustration and disappointment. 'I fully respect Linus' feelings of probably being really pissed off at me for making the decision and very disappointed,' Hallam told a Swedish newspaper earlier this week. 'It's part of the game and I think his statements are transparent and good, and that he stands by it.' Hallam didn't want to go back on his word. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The coach of Team Sweden for the 2025 IIHF world championship says he didn't mean to offend the Ottawa Senators goaltender when the country turned down his offer to suit up. Ullmark and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson both reached out to Team Sweden officials to wear the Tre Kronor when the tourney gets underway Friday in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark, but were informed their services weren't required. The Senators were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs by the Toronto Maple Leafs a week ago and the Wild were sent packing by the Vegas Golden Knights. Hallam told Swedish newspapers that Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils already had agreed to play at the time Ullmark and Gustavsson's representatives called the club. The Swedes had also committed to Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers and Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks. 'When we had the opportunity to bring in both Samuel Ersson and Arvid Söderblom, we were very confident to start there,' Hallam said. 'We were well aware that we had more goalies who entered the playoffs and who are at a very high level. It is a position that I do not want to gamble or take chances with. 'There are more opportunities on both the back and forward sides to play a little higher games. When we had the opportunity to bring in both Sammy and Arvid, it felt like a good fit. 'A lot happens in the playoffs, there can be both injuries and them winning their hockey games. So that is why we really wanted to be safe with having two in place, then we hoped to spice it up with a really good goalie and that is what happened.' Ullmark expressed disappointment when asked by Postmedia during the club's end-of-season media availability on Saturday if he was going to play for Sweden on his home soil. 'It would have been a great opportunity to play for Team Sweden back home in Stockholm,' Ullmark said. 'So, I'm let down about that whole situation. I really wish that I had the opportunity to do that and put the national team jersey on, especially when we didn't make it to the second round. 'You don't want to play at the world championship in any way because you don't want to be available. That's the thing, you always want to say, 'Sorry I can't come, I'm playing second or third round.' It just meant a bit more this year, being home in Sweden and having friends and family come watch you. 'But that's a decision they've made. There is nothing I can do to change it. It's just something that they have to own up to.' The 31-year-old Ullmark suited up for Hallam at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February along with Gustavsson, who was named the starter after Markstrom missed the tourney with a long-term injury. 'We knew there was an opportunity to add another top goalkeeper. Then our choice fell on Markstrom, and it feels good. Above all, he is a good goalkeeper, but he also has a lot of experience from playing a lot of playoff matches, and that is important in a tournament like this,' Hallam said. Hallam planned to reach out to Ullmark this week to explain the decision, but won't apologize for it. 'I stand behind it 100% that it was the right decision,' Hallam said. 'We talk about pros and cons and guesses. It wasn't a position I was prepared to gamble with. I'm very comfortable with how we handled the situation and with the goalkeepers we have.' Where this leaves Ullmark for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina, Italy, isn't known. Hallam didn't shut the door on Ullmark being part of the picture. 'We do what is best for the team here and now. We made a choice, and it is a sporting decision here and now. I hope that Linus Ullmark will stand for Tre Kronor in the future,' Hallam added. It would appear the only two Ottawa players at the world championship will be centre Shane Pinto (Team USA) and Nikolas Matinpalo (Finland). It also appears that Tim Stutzle has taken a pass on playing for Team Germany. bgarrioch@
Ottawa Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Swedish coach makes no apologies for turning down Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark
Article content Team Sweden coach Sam Hallam can understand Linus Ullmark's frustration and disappointment. Article content Article content 'I fully respect Linus' feelings of probably being really pissed off at me for making the decision and very disappointed,' Hallam told a Swedish newspaper earlier this week. 'It's part of the game and I think his statements are transparent and good, and that he stands by it.' Article content Article content Hallam didn't want to go back on his word. Article content Article content The coach of Team Sweden for the 2025 IIHF world championship says he didn't mean to offend the Ottawa Senators goaltender when the country turned down his offer to suit up. Article content Ullmark and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson both reached out to Team Sweden officials to wear the Tre Kronor when the tourney gets underway Friday in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark, but were informed their services weren't required. Article content The Senators were eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs by the Toronto Maple Leafs a week ago and the Wild were sent packing by the Vegas Golden Knights. Article content Hallam told Swedish newspapers that Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils already had agreed to play at the time Ullmark and Gustavsson's representatives called the club. Article content The Swedes had also committed to Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers and Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks. Article content 'When we had the opportunity to bring in both Samuel Ersson and Arvid Söderblom, we were very confident to start there,' Hallam said. 'We were well aware that we had more goalies who entered the playoffs and who are at a very high level. It is a position that I do not want to gamble or take chances with. Article content Article content 'There are more opportunities on both the back and forward sides to play a little higher games. When we had the opportunity to bring in both Sammy and Arvid, it felt like a good fit. Article content Article content 'A lot happens in the playoffs, there can be both injuries and them winning their hockey games. So that is why we really wanted to be safe with having two in place, then we hoped to spice it up with a really good goalie and that is what happened.' Article content Ullmark expressed disappointment when asked by Postmedia during the club's end-of-season media availability on Saturday if he was going to play for Sweden on his home soil. Article content 'It would have been a great opportunity to play for Team Sweden back home in Stockholm,' Ullmark said. 'So, I'm let down about that whole situation. I really wish that I had the opportunity to do that and put the national team jersey on, especially when we didn't make it to the second round. Article content 'You don't want to play at the world championship in any way because you don't want to be available. That's the thing, you always want to say, 'Sorry I can't come, I'm playing second or third round.' It just meant a bit more this year, being home in Sweden and having friends and family come watch you.
