From TSN's Frank Seravalli:

Four representatives from the Swedish Ice Hockey Association flew more than 8,000 kilometres to speak with NHL general managers in South Florida on Wednesday, proving no trip is too far to try and save the Swedish Hockey League.

“Distance is not a problem,” federation general secretary and CEO Tommy Boustedt said of the journey. “We are more or less losing a team every year.”

Their message to the GMs was polite but firm: We are proud that nearly 10 per cent of the NHL is comprised of Swedes, but let us grow the other 50 or so other NHL draft picks at home with our proven development model rather than having them play in the American Hockey League.

They believe the Swedish Hockey League’s 14 clubs, as well as the players, their NHL clubs and the overall Swedish system, would all be best served with players remaining in the SHL until they’re ready to make the jump to the NHL.

“We explained the Swedish system – how the league is run and how we invest in our youth,” Boustedt said. “The system is Sweden is a proven system. It was an open discussion about what kind of possibilities there are to keep players until they are more ready for the NHL. We think we can both be winners for that.”

Continued