Quite a year. Since the Flyers drafted Samuel Ersson in the fifth round last June, the Swedish netminder has catapulted himself from virtual unknown to one of the best goalie prospects in Europe. Ersson, 19, recently won the Allsvenskan award for best junior player following a season that arguably put him in MVP contention in the second-highest league in Swedish hockey. But it was his exceptional performance at the World Junior Championship that really made fans take notice.



The Swedish national team also took note of his fantastic play. Earlier this month, Ersson made his senior debut for the Tre Kronor in a 4-3 win over Hungary. He’s performed well thus far for the national team, leading to his selection to travel to Denmark and Finland ahead of the World Championship. While Ersson is not in serious contention for a roster spot for the May tournament in Slovakia, his presence with the national team is another positive sign.



I sat down with Ersson in Copenhagen...