Filip Ekberg leaves impact on U18 Worlds with awards haul

Filip Ekberg left his mark on the U18 Worlds.

Ekberg, unlisted in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft, was named most valuable player at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship on Saturday after helping Sweden to a silver finish.

The 18-year-old led the tournament with 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) — the sixth-most productive showcase in the tournament’s history.

“Ekberg was outstanding at this tournament because of the way he played without the puck,” FCHockey scout Kyle Pereira said. “He played with his heart on his sleeve on every single shift, working incredibly hard on the forecheck to win pucks back for his team. He also constantly attacked dangerous areas without the puck as an option for his teammates to find.”

Ekberg was also named to the media all-star team, and was named top forward.

“Transition to North America early really helped him get used to simple and more physical style of play,” FCHockey scout Samuel Tirpak said. “Not necessarily in terms of actually hitting players but playing between checks, getting into high danger areas and going straight to the net instead of overthinking it. He plays a straight forward game that translates well into smaller ice and despite slower start to the year, him getting used to that limited ice surface and time on puck really set him up to be a dominant player.”

Defenseman Sascha Boumedienne of Sweden and goaltender Jack Ivankovic of Canada also earned double nods.

Boumedienne, who set a tournament record for production by a defenseman with 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) was named best defender by the IIHF Directorate and to the media’s all-star team.

Ivankvoic was named best goalkeeper by the IIHF Directorate and to the media’s all-star team after registering a 1.05 goals-against average and .960 save percentage in the tournament en route to helping Canada to gold.

Here’s a look at the tournament awards at the U18 Worlds:

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Filip Ekberg (Sweden)

Media All-Star Team

Goalkeeper – Jack Ivankovic (Canada)
Defender – Sascha Boumedienne (Sweden)
Defender – Drew Schock (Team USA)
Forward – Filip Ekberg (Sweden)
Forward – Ivar Stenberg (Sweden)
Forward – Brady Martin (Canada

IIHF Directorate Awards

Best goalkeeper – Jack Ivankovic (Canada)
Best Defender : Sascha Boumedienne (Sweden)
Best Forward – Filip Ekberg (Sweden)

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Filip Ekberg leaves impact on U18 Worlds with awards haul

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Media All-Star Team

IIHF Directorate Awards

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