Team Sweden won their opening game of the 2026 Olympic Games against Italy, 5-2. St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg made his Olympic Debut with his native country, and competed well.
It might not have reflected on the stat sheet, but with the eye-test, the youngest defenseman on the team fit in perfectly. Let’s be real for a second, even though Sweden peppered Italy with 60 shots on goal, and only got five past them for goals, it does not mean that this team is a phony. The Three Crowns have a legitimate shot at winning this tournament, and it starts with their blue line.
Broberg might be one of the most important Blues players to watch, as he might be able to grow the most from this tournament. Dalibor Dvorsky made a major stride in his Olympic debut with Slovakia, but it might have just been a fluke.
Broberg can hang with the big boys
Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, Oliver Ekman-Larson, Rasmus Andersson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Gustav Forsling surround Broberg as a heavyweight class of elite defensmen. There is no doubt that this is the deepest unit for the entire 12-team roster, and Sweden will either succeed or fail due to this group.
Broberg proved in his first game that he was able to work with and play alongside these top-tier players. With the Blues, he was cycled around a good group, but nowhere near the kind of talent he has right now. For this 2025-26 campaign, he has been regarded as the best defenseman on the Blues roster this season.
After his first game, Broberg did not have anymore than two shots on goal. But he skated well, defended better, and it gives you hope that he will continue to be a driving force for the rest of these Olympic Games.
Can Broberg continue to be a solid part of Team Sweden for the rest of this tournament?