Junior hockey in Sweden
Junior hockey in Sweden crowns national champions at the U16 through U20 age levels.
The U20 champions receive the Anton Cup, a trophy donated by Anton Johansson, chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association between 1924–1948, in 1952, as an award for Sweden's top-ranking ice hockey club, decided by a national tournament without Swedish Championship status.
From 1956-57, the tournament gained Swedish Championship status and district teams were allowed to participate. In 1961, the tournament was limited to only associations and clubs. The winner of the J20 SuperElit are presently bestowed the Anton Cup.
Below the SuperElit, the J20 Elit operates as the second-tier junior league, followed by the J20 Division 1 and the J20 Division 2.
At the U18 level, the J18 Elit serves as the national competition to begin the season. The top 20 teams (five from each regional group) advance to play in the J18 Allsvenskan for the second half of the season, while the other teams remain in the Elit for the remainder of the year. The winner of the national playoffs (consisting primarily of Allsvenskan teams but also containing several from Elit) is crowned Swedish champion. Below the Allsvenskan and the Elit lie the J18 Division 1 and the J18 Division 2.
The top U16 teams form four regional, known as "Elite" in some regions, groups (North, South, East, and West) to begin the seasons. The top teams from each group then advance to the national championship. U16 Division 1 and U16 Division 2 are lower-levels of competition at this age level.
The TV-pucken is the national U15 district championship in Sweden, and has served this purpose since 1959. Teams from the various Swedish districts (not club affiliated) participate in the tournament.
At the U12 through U14 age levels, the leagues are conducted solely on a regional basis, with no national championships existing at these age groups.
See also
