Projected 2021 top 10 pick leaves Sweden's World Junior camp

As Sweden prepares for the 2021 World Juniors, they'll be without one of the SHL's breakout stars. Projected top 10 pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, William Eklund, has been deemed unable to play for Sweden at the World Juniors after testing positive for COVID-19. Prior to all nine other countries travelling to Canada next weekend, players and staff need to produce three negative COVID-19 test, and Eklund tested positive on his first test.

According to @cmoresport, 2021 draft eligible forward William Eklund will be stopped from participating in the World Juniors. This due to a positive Covid-19 test. A huge loss for the Swedish team as Eklund has been a breakthrough player in the SHL this season.— Uffe Bodin (@UffeBodin) December 5, 2020

Eklund is enjoying a remarkable start to the 2020-21 SHL season. He has 12 points (7 G, 5 A), 0 penalty minutes, and is a +8 in 16 games for Djurgardens IF. His solid start this year will likely lead to him solidifying a spot in the top 10 or top 15 of the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Eklund has spent the past five years in the Djurgardens IF system, playing for them at the U16, U18, and U20 levels before finding his way into the SHL.

Internationally, Eklund has represented Sweden on a few occasions, most recently at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In 5 games he put up 5 points (1 G, 4 A), 2 penalty minutes, and was a +3 as Sweden went on to win the bronze medal by defeating rivals, Finland, 5 to 1.

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