Latest news with #Ullmark
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.
Vancouver Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Senators goalie Linus Ullmark told thanks, but no thanks by Team Sweden
Article content Linus Ulmark offered to suit up for his country on home soil at the 2025 IIHF world hockey championships. Article content Though Team Sweden officials appreciated the offer, they didn't allow the Ottawa Senators' top goaltender to wear the Tre Kronor at the tourney, which will begin on May 9 in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark. Article content Ullmark confirmed on locker cleanout day at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday that his agent, Joakim Perrson, reached out to Swedish officials on Friday after the Senators were eliminated from Round 1 of the National Hockey League playoffs and was told the club already had its goalies. Article content Article content 'I have an interest, but they've decided not to go with me,' Ulllmark said. 'That's the decision that they made. I just found out.' Article content Article content Ullmark suited up for Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February in Montreal and Boston, but would have been excited to have the opportunity to play for Sweden in Stockholm. 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. Article content '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.' Article content Article content If the 31-year-old Ullmark isn't an option, then the Swedes must be looking at either Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils or Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild. Both were eliminated in the first round. Article content Article content Well-respected New York-based writer Per Bjurman, who is a columnist for Swedish-based newspaper Aftonbladet, told me he thinks management must want Markstrom to be the starter. Article content He wasn't available for the 4 Nations Face-Off because he was out with an injury at the time, and that vaulted Gustavsson into a starting role. What this means for Ullmark's status for the 2026 Winter Olympics next February in Milan, Italy, remains to be seen. Article content Captain Brady Tkachuk, along with defencemen Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven, won't be suiting up for the United States. Tkachuk has injury issues that need to heal, Sanderson decided not to go and Kleven is a restricted free agent and can't afford the risk of getting injured.
Ottawa Citizen
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Senators goalie Linus Ullmark told thanks, but no thanks by Team Sweden
Linus Ulmark offered to suit up for his country on home soil at the 2025 IIHF world hockey championships. Article content Though Team Sweden officials appreciated the offer, they didn't allow the Ottawa Senators' top goaltender to wear the Tre Kronor at the tourney, which will begin on May 9 in Stockholm and Herning, Denmark. Article content Ullmark confirmed on locker cleanout day at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday that his agent, Joakim Perrson, reached out to Swedish officials on Friday after the Senators were eliminated from Round 1 of the National Hockey League playoffs and was told the club already had its goalies. Article content Article content 'I have an interest, but they've decided not to go with me,' Ulllmark said. 'That's the decision that they made. I just found out.' Article content Article content Ullmark suited up for Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February in Montreal and Boston, but would have been excited to have the opportunity to play for Sweden in Stockholm. 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. Article content '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.' Article content Article content If the 31-year-old Ullmark isn't an option, then the Swedes must be looking at either Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils or Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild. Both were eliminated in the first round. Article content Article content Well-respected New York-based writer Per Bjurman, who is a columnist for Swedish-based newspaper Aftonbladet, told me he thinks management must want Markstrom to be the starter. Article content He wasn't available for the 4 Nations Face-Off because he was out with an injury at the time, and that vaulted Gustavsson into a starting role. What this means for Ullmark's status for the 2026 Winter Olympics next February in Milan, Italy, remains to be seen. Article content Captain Brady Tkachuk, along with defencemen Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven, won't be suiting up for the United States. Tkachuk has injury issues that need to heal, Sanderson decided not to go and Kleven is a restricted free agent and can't afford the risk of getting injured.
