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SJHN Daily: Sahlin Wallenius Wins Gold, Eklund Happy for Eklund, Kurashev Going to Olympics
William Eklund’s brother Victor has won World Junior Championships gold.
“I’m so happy for the whole country of Sweden, shows [that] we’ve does some good things,” the 23-year-old San Jose Sharks winger said on Tuesday. “And especially for [Victor,] I’m happy that he was able to do that.”
Victor was tied third in points on Team Sweden with eight and tied second in assists with six. With a goal and assist against Czechia in the gold medal game, Victor won Player of the Game.
The elder Eklund, jokingly, took some credit for the younger’s triumph. Namely, for toughening up the 19-year-old: “That’s one of the things too, when he was [younger], I was never letting him win.”
William said he shared a short FaceTime with Victor shortly after the gold medal game. Their dad, Christian “Fimpen” Eklund was able to make it to San Jose today for the team’s fathers and mentors’ trip after watching Victor win the gold medal in Minnesota on Monday.
Hey dads. 👋 pic.twitter.com/sDLwY5rVHm
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 7, 2026
William, meanwhile, was all eyes on the game during the dads and mentors’ dinner.
Still locked in to World Juniors though. 😏 pic.twitter.com/6bJh1PLSKY
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 6, 2026
Eklund revealed that some Sharks — San Jose doesn’t have any Czechs on the roster currently — were rooting for Czechia. He wouldn’t reveal who, but was happy to trash talk them afterwards.
Sweden’s last WJC gold was in 2012. A current San Jose Sharks player on that team? John Klingberg, 33.
“We haven’t won in a while. Klinger was the last guy who won for us,” Eklund said, smiling. “So that tells a lot. He’s an old man now.”
AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…
Sidney Crosby requested to play with Macklin Celebrini at the World Championships.
Zack Ostapchuk is showing speed and skill.
Celebrini and Eklund and Toffoli talk Alex Wennberg‘s contract extension.
Pavol Regenda talks Slovakia’s Olympic excitement.
OTHER SHARKS NEWS…
Philipp Kurashev will represent Switzerland at the Olympics:
🇨🇭 Switzerland revealed their 2026 Olympic Winter Games roster!➡️
Athlete participation requires confirmation by their respective NOC.@SwissIceHockey @olympics @nhl @nhlpa#Olympics #NHL #IIHF pic.twitter.com/Q58bBLlJPA
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 7, 2026
Shakir Mukhamadullin placed on injured reserve.
Patrick Giles joins the Sharks.
Biggest surprises from today's new NHL Awards Watch on ESPN:
– Non-zero chance Jesper Wallstedt (@mnwild) wins Vezina and Calder
– Nick Suzuki (@CanadiensMTL) might wire field for Selke
– If the @SanJoseSharks get in, our voters are saying Macklin Celebrini wins MVP. pic.twitter.com/twwwfqZPht— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 6, 2026
Gold medallist Leo Sahlin Wallenius impresses at World Junior Championship.
Congrats to Joshua Ravensbergen and Michael Misa on capturing Bronze at the World Junior Championship! 🥉#TheFutureIsTeal | #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/xMNUbR37o0
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 6, 2026
AROUND THE NHL…
Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar nearing returns from injury.
Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews both out week-to-week.
Former employee sues Anaheim Ducks over alleged harassment and discrimination.
Evgeni Malkin close to returning from injury.
Jeremy Swayman‘s hot streak helping the Boston Bruins.
Is Sheldon Keefe on the hot seat?
Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin will miss significant time with injury.
Justin Sourdif shining in elevated role with Washington Capitals.
Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t want the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers competing for fans.
🚨BLOCKBUSTER ALERT🚨
The Raiders have acquired forward Braeden Cootes from the Seattle Thunderbirds as part of a 12 piece deal!https://t.co/rRCQpb4Ihm pic.twitter.com/jmRVlwikqV— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) January 6, 2026
