Joel Eriksson Ek will be named captain of Team Sweden at the 2017 world juniors, reports Swedish hockey writer Uffe Bodin.

The 19-year-old forward was drafted 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2015. Eriksson Ek made his NHL debut this season, scoring five points in nine games. He has since been returned to Farjestad of the SHL, where he's recorded three points in eight games.

A native of Karlstad, Eriksson Ek recorded two points in six games with Sweden at last year's world juniors.