Gustafsson A Believer In Swedish Success

Carl Gustafsson was the key Swedish offensive cog in the 2-1 game against Finland in the recent U18 tournament, in which he ended up being the top scorer. The smallish winger is convinced that even better things are waiting around the corner for the Swedish crop.

Measuring only a mere 5'9, Carl Gustafsson was the smallest player on the Swedish team, but also the most prolific. In Mattias Tedenby's absences, Gustafsson was the offensive engine for the Swedish team in the last game of the tournament against Finland. The Stockholm native assisted on both the Swedish goals and ended up as the tournament's top scorer with four assists in three games.

"We played well against Finland and showed a lot of heart out there", Gustafsson said after the game.

"Our two first periods where really good and when the Finn's came out strong in the third, we didn't back down".

Aside from his four points in the tournament, Gustafsson also contributed to the Swedish team with a tremendous amount of energy and tenacity. Despite his smallish frame, he was arguably the most aggressive and gritty player on the team.

"I'm not thinking about my size when it gets physical".

"There's no reason to hesitate or back down for other players just because they're bigger", Gustafsson said, smiling.

The 17-year old winger is also quite convinced that this Swedish crop has what it takes to make an impression at U18 World Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland in April, the highlight of the season for all 17 to 18-year old hockey players.

"Looking at the way we have played in the previous tournaments, I think that we for sure have good chance at reaching the final. We have a really strong group of players this year", says Gustafsson.

When it comes to describing his own performance in the tournament, Gustafsson uses fewer words, but the message is just as clear.

"I'm really satisfied", he says.

Which he has every reason to be. The 2008 draft eligible winger have established himself as one of the key offensive players for the Swedish U18 team due his international play this fall. Something that once again proves that good things can come in really small packages in the game of hockey.