Swedish coach makes no apologies for turning down Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark

“I fully respect Linus’ feelings of probably being really pissed off at me,” says Swedish coach

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.

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.