This story appeared on<a href="https://hockeysverige.se/2024/05/28/henrik-lundqvist-jag-kommer-behova-gora-mer-operationer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hockeysverige.se/intervju/felix-unger-sorum-har-bytt-position-svarare-an-jag-trott/">hockeysverige.se</a><a href="https://hockeysverige.se/old-school-hockey/old-school-hockey-olli-jokinen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;</a>this week and has been translated from Swedish to English.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity">



Felix Unger Sörum has had quite an eventful 2024.



He was one of the players who represented Sweden in the World Junior Championship in Gothenburg last season. During the spring, he made big headlines back home when he made an NHL-studded&nbsp;roster for the World Championship in Czechia. 



After finishing last season with a WJC silver medal and a WC bronze medal, he joined the Carolina Hurricanes’ organization this fall, where he’s currently plying his trade with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.



Later this month, he will take a leave of absence to play his second straight World Junior Championship. There was never any hesitation about agreeing to suit up for the Swedes again.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“It was an easy decision”, he said. “Every opportunity I get to represent Sweden, I see it as a great honor. You never know when it might be the last time, so I seize every chance I get. Plus, I’m feeling a bit hungry for revenge after last season’s silver.”<div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="178"></div>



Unger Sörum was one of the standout players in last year’s WJC, scoring one goal and totaling six points in seven games. However, his strongest memory from the tournament is less positive.



“The first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly frustrating it was to lose the final. In general, losing is something I never want to experience again. Of course, I want to win. Otherwise, what I take from the tournament is basically everything. A lot of games in a short time. Every game matters. Quarterfinals are just one game. Semifinals, one game. Finals, one game. These are the kinds of things that teach you to be ready when it counts.”



Getting the experience of playing a WJC tournament, but also competing against men i the Worlds has been extremely valuable to the 19-year-old.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="135"></div>



“I wouldn’t say there’s a huge difference [compared&nbsp;to the regular season]. Everything is focused on winning. Practices were designed to ensure we were as ready as possible for the games. Now, midseason, I’ve been doing extra physical training because I know in a short tournament like this, it’s all about winning, and you have to be prepared.”



What potential do you see in this group? “I think it could be really good. When we [the 2005-born group] played in the U18 World Championship, we did very well, winning every game until the final, which we lost in overtime. We had a really strong team, and now we also have some very talented 2006-born players. I’m really excited and think we have a good chance.”



Who do you see as the toughest challengers for reaching the WJC final? “I don’t have a great overview of the other teams, but I know the U.S. has a really strong team with their 2005-born players. From what I understand, Canada does too. Basically, every team is good. And it’s just a quarterfinal, a semifinal, and so on — anything can happen. It’s all about playing your best hockey when it matters.”<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="193"></div>



When the Carolina Hurricanes drafted Felix Unger Sörum 62nd overall in the second round 2023, they did it with the notion of him being a winger. But after watching him play for two straight camps, and actually competing&nbsp;for a roster spot, they decided to try to get him to change positions.



“We placed him there just to see how the camp would go,” coach Rod Brind’Amour <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/players/hes-fearless-felix-unger-sorum-impressing-even-in-new-position">told&nbsp;The Hockey News</a> during camp. “He’s a special player, and I think he could be better suited as a center given his build and the way he thinks the game. I believe we can always move him back to the wing, but we didn’t want to look back in two years and think, ‘We should have tried him as a center.’ That wouldn’t have been the right approach.”<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="134"></div>



Unger Sörum admits that the transition has been challenging.



“It’s been harder than I thought. The ice is smaller, and I’ve never played center before, but now I have to”, he said. “I’m getting a lot of trust, which is fun, and I try to learn from every game. It feels better and more natural with each match.”



What has coach Magnus Hävelid said about your role as a center in the WJC? “We haven’t talked about it much. At the same time, it’s easier to go from center to winger, so there’s no problem if that happens.”



What has the club said about you going to the WJC during this adjustment process? “I think they’re supportive. The WJC is a great tournament, a rare opportunity, and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="134"></div>



This season, Unger Sörum has scored one goal and five points in 18 games as a center with the Wolves.



“It’s been an adjustment. I felt good during camp at the start, then began the season in Chicago,” he said. “There’s been a lot of new experiences. I’ve never lived on my own before. Now I’m living with Noel Gunler here. The small rink, playing center, and the style of hockey are all different from what I’m used to. It’s a very direct game with a lot of physicality. It takes time to adapt, but I feel better and better with each game. I’m not stressing about it and have created a lot of chances. The points will come with time. I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”



Unger Sörum and countryman Gunler live in Schaumburg, 25–30 minutes outside downtown Chicago.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="143"></div>



“I really enjoy it here. We have a pretty young team in Chicago, with many new players in the NHL and AHL, and we’re having a lot of fun,” he said.



“Noel and the Finns (Juha Jääskä and Aleksi Heimosalmi) and I hang out all the time. We live close to each other, too. It’s fun coming to the rink every day, though of course, I miss Leksand a bit because I’ve lived there as long as I can remember. All my family and friends are there. But like I said, I really like it here.”