Selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Arvid Costmar now finds himself in an excellent position with Sweden at the World Junior Championship.

There’s a lot to like about the young Swedish prospect, who will be playing centre on one of the top two lines for Sweden at this year’s WJC.

It’s been a big step in development for Costmar over in Sweden as he began the season playing in the J20 Swedish league before quickly being called up to play in the SHL. Since being called up, he has played in 16 games and has one goal on the season. Since October 10th, Costmar has been used in a fourth-line role for Linköping HC. He plays a strong two-way game and tiptoes the line of being a pest after whistles.

Though he plays a gritty game, he knows the line and how not to cross it. Through 16 SHL games, Costmar has only been allotted two minor penalties.

At this year’s WJC, Costmar will get time on Sweden’s second line with the likeliness to kill penalties and potentially get some power play time as well.

At 5’11”, 187 lbs, he is not undersized as he enters this tournament and should be willing to throw the body around against his fellow U20 competitors.

There’s a lot of hype to be gained here in this tournament for Costmar as he is a relatively unknown prospect for the Canucks. He doesn’t put up a ton of points in the SHL but should be given some very offensive wingers and defencemen to play with as a part of Sweden’s top six group.

Saturday, December 26th at 11am vs Czech Republic

Monday, December 28th at 3pm vs Austria

Wednesday, December 30th at 6:30pm vs Russia (and Vasili Podkolzin)

Thursday, December 31st at 6:30pm vs United States

Costmar will be put in a spot to succeed in this tournament. He’s surrounded by extremely skilled players and his motor should show well for the coaching staff to use him more and more as the tournament goes on.

He’s not likely to rip this tournament up and be one of the top scorers, but given that he’s only scored one goal this season in the SHL, it could be a nice confidence boost if he were to put up 5-10 points by the end of the tournament.

Expectations aren’t super high for him but he could be the one prospect with the most to gain here in this tournament. Many of us know what the Canucks are getting with Vasili Podkolzin. However, not many of us know what they are getting in Arvid Costmar.

Costmar will be wearing number 14 for Sweden, so be sure to keep your eye on him as the tournament goes on.

Here at CanucksArmy, we will strive to bring you the best coverage on both the Canucks prospects currently in Edmonton as the tournament goes on.