Viktor Stålberg

Viktor Stålberg
Stalberg with the New York Rangers in September 2015
Born (1986-01-17) 17 January 1986 (age 38)
Gothenburg, Sweden
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Left
Played for Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
Frölunda HC
Atlant Moscow Oblast
Nashville Predators
New York Rangers
Carolina Hurricanes
Ottawa Senators
EV Zug
Avangard Omsk
HC Fribourg-Gottéron
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 161st overall, 2006
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 2009–2021

Viktor Stålberg (born 17 January 1986) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2013.

Playing career

Amateur

During the 2005–06 season, Stålberg played for Frölunda HC in the J20 SuperElit. He led the team in scoring with 33 goals and 31 assists in 48 games during the regular season and playoffs.[1] After this season, Stålberg was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 6th round (161st overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

Stålberg joined the University of Vermont, hitting the ice for his freshman season in 2006–07.[1] He was one of only two freshmen on the team who played in all 39 of the club's games that season.[1] He finished the season with 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points.[2] During the season, he was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week on 13 November 2006, as well as being named to the Hockey East Weekly Honor Roll.[1] At the end of the season, Stålberg was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.[1]

During his sophomore season in 2007–08, Stålberg again played in all 39 games for the Catamounts, scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists.[2] During the year, he was named Hockey East Player of the Week three times, and was also named to the Hockey East Weekly Honor Roll three times.[1] At the end of the season, he was an honorable mention Hockey East All-Star and had earned a spot on the Hockey East All-Academic Team.[1]

Stalberg in February 2012 during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks.

During his junior year at Vermont, Stålberg again played in 39 games, scoring 24 goals and adding 22 assists.[2] His 24 goals ranked fourth in the nation, and he led Vermont in points.[1] He garnered many individual honors during this season. He was one of the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. He was the first player from the University of Vermont to be a finalist for the award since Martin St. Louis.[3] He was the fourth player in program history to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker award after Kirk McCaskill '83 (1982), Eric Perrin '97 (1996) and Martin St. Louis '97 (1995, 1996, 1997). He was named the Hockey East Player of the Month for January, and picked up two Hockey East Player of the Week honors.[1] During this year he and his teammates made it to the Frozen Four. Stalberg was also named a Division I First-Team All-American in 2008-09.

Professional

After his successful junior campaign at the University of Vermont, Stålberg decided to turn pro, signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on 14 April 2009.[4] Immediately after signing his contract, Stålberg was assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. He made his professional debut with the Marlies during the 2008–09 AHL playoffs.[4]

Stålberg made his NHL debut in the 2009–10 season opener on 1 October 2009 in a 4-3 OT loss to the Montreal Canadiens.[5] In that game, Stålberg recorded his first career assist and point with an assist on a goal scored by Matt Stajan.[6] On 18 December 2009, Stålberg recorded his first NHL goal in a 5–2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres against Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.[7] Stålberg finished his rookie season playing in 40 games with 14 points recorded (9 goals, 5 assists).

On 30 June 2010, Stålberg was traded along with prospects Philippe Paradis and Chris DiDomenico to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Kris Versteeg and Bill Sweatt.

On 15 December 2010, Stålberg suffered a concussion in a 4–3 loss against the Colorado Avalanche afer getting hit by Avalanche defenseman Ryan O'Byrne that led to Stålberg missing the next three games.[8] On 2 March 2011, Stålberg played his 100th NHL game in a 6–4 win over the Calgary Flames, which saw him get into his first NHL fighting major after a fight against Flames defenseman Mark Giordano.[9] Stålberg finished the 2010–11 season, his first season with the Blackhawks and second season in the NHL altogether with 12 goals, 12 assists for 24 points in 77 games. After the Blackhawks narrowly made the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, Stålberg made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on 13 April 2011 in game 1 of the Blackhawks first round series against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks and scored his first career playoff goal two days later in game two on Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo.[10]

Stålberg recorded his first career hat trick on 10 January 2012 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.[11] He finished the 2011–12 season with career highs in games played (79), goals (22), assists (21) and points (43). In game two of the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Phoenix Coyotes on 14 April 2012, Stålberg recorded his first career playoff assist on a goal scored by Bryan Bickell.

Stålberg won the Stanley Cup in 2013 as a member of the Blackhawks after they defeated the Boston Bruins in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals in six games.

On the back of his success in the post-season with the Blackhawks, Stålberg signed a four-year deal worth $12 million with the Nashville Predators on 5 July 2013. He ended the 2013–14 season playing in 70 games with 8 goals, 10 assists for 18 points.

In the 2014–15 season, his second season with the Predators and sixth in the NHL, failing to live up to the expectations of his contract, Stålberg was demoted to AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals for portions the 2014–15 season. He was however summoned back to the Predators towards the end of the 2014-15 season and for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs in which the Predators lost in the first round in six games to Stålberg’s former team and the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.[12] On 30 June 2015, after he was placed on unconditional waivers, Stålberg was bought out from the remaining two-years of his contract with the Predators and released to free agency.[13]

On 1 July 2015, with ambition to reclaim his status in the NHL, Stålberg was signed to a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.[14] Having made the Rangers opening night roster for the 2015–16 season and despite an early season concussion on 24 October 2015 against the Philadelphia Flyers, Stålberg enjoyed early offensive success, securing a role on the checking line as the season went on.[15] In 75 games with the Rangers, Stålberg contributed with 9 goals, 11 assists and 20 points.

On 1 July 2016, Stålberg left the Rangers as a free agent, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.[16] In the 2016–17 season, after recording 12 points in 57 contests with the Hurricanes, who were out of playoff contention, Stålberg was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2017 third-round draft choice on 28 February 2017.[17]

On 11 July 2017, Stålberg left the NHL as a free agent after eight seasons and agreed to a two-year contract with EV Zug of the National League (NL).[18] He instantly became an impact player in Switzerland, collecting 22 goals and 50 points in 48 games and in the 2017–18 season. Placing fourth in league points, Stalberg also earned selection to the NL Media All-Star Team and named as the NL Media's Best Forward.

In the following 2018–19 season, Stålberg appeared in just 10 games before receiving and accepting a contract offer for the remainder of the year to leave Zug and move to the KHL with Avangard Omsk on 30 October 2018.[19]

On 26 April 2019, Stålberg returned to Switzerland and agreed to a two-year contract through the 2020–21 season with HC Fribourg-Gottéron.[citation needed]

On 13 August 2021, Stålberg announced his retirement from professional ice hockey.[20]

International play

Stålberg was selected to represent Sweden in the 2012 IIHF World Championship.[21] He also represented Sweden at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he played in four games and registered one goal en route to Sweden placing 5th.[22][23]

Personal life

Stålberg's parents are Eddy and Maria Stålberg of Lerum, Sweden.[1] He has two younger brothers, Alexander, and Sebastian, who currently plays hockey for Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). His favorite athlete is former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin.[1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04 IF Mölndal Hockey J18 13 14 13 27 — — — — — —
2003–04 IF Mölndal Hockey J18 Allsv 18 25 10 35 — — — — — —
2003–04 IF Mölndal Hockey SWE.4 — 5 7 12 — — — — — —
2004–05 IF Mölndal Hockey J18 Allsv 11 16 7 23 — — — — — —
2004–05 IF Mölndal Hockey SWE.3 29 6 9 15 54 — — — — —
2005–06 Frölunda HC J20 41 27 26 53 89 7 6 5 11 6
2006–07 University of Vermont HE 39 7 8 15 53 — — — — —
2007–08 University of Vermont HE 39 10 13 23 34 — — — — —
2008–09 University of Vermont HE 39 24 22 46 32 — — — — —
2008–09 Toronto Marlies AHL — — — — — 2 0 1 1 0
2009–10 Toronto Marlies AHL 39 12 21 33 36 — — — — —
2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 40 9 5 14 30 — — — — —
2010–11 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 77 12 12 24 43 7 1 0 1 5
2011–12 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 79 22 21 43 34 6 0 2 2 8
2012–13 Frölunda HC SEL 11 7 5 12 10 — — — — —
2012–13 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 14 3 7 10 4 — — — — —
2012–13 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 47 9 14 23 25 19 0 3 3 6
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 70 8 10 18 32 — — — — —
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 25 2 8 10 18 6 1 2 3 0
2014–15 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 20 11 6 17 14 — — — — —
2015–16 New York Rangers NHL 75 9 11 20 22 5 0 0 0 6
2016–17 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 57 9 3 12 33 — — — — —
2016–17 Ottawa Senators NHL 18 2 2 4 8 17 0 2 2 2
2017–18 EV Zug NL 46 22 28 50 18 5 1 3 4 4
2018–19 EV Zug NL 10 3 4 7 4 — — — — —
2018–19 Avangard Omsk KHL 29 7 4 11 8 18 3 2 5 40
2019–20 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NL 46 14 17 31 39 — — — — —
2020–21 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NL 35 13 16 29 8 5 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 488 82 86 168 245 60 2 9 11 27

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Sweden WC 6th 8 3 1 4 2
2018 Sweden OG 5th 4 1 0 1 2
Senior totals 12 4 1 5 4

Awards and honours

Award Year
College
All-Hockey East First Team 2008–09
AHCA East First-Team All-American 2008–09
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2013

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Profile". University of Vermont. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Viktor Stalberg". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Hobey Baker Award Announces Top Ten Finalists". hobeybaker.com. 19 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Viktor Stalberg". The Sports Network. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  5. ^ NHL (1 October 2009). "MTL vs TOR". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  6. ^ NHL (1 October 2009). "MTL vs TOR". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Miller stymies Leafs as goalie's 40 saves back Sabres' big 2nd". espn.com. ESPN. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Blackhawks Injury Update". cbsnews.com. CBS. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Blackhawks beat Flames, 6-4, for their sixth win in a row". Los Angeles Times. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Daniel Sedin nets 2 as Canucks edge Hawks, take 2-0 series lead". espn.com. ESPN. Associated Press. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Boxscore - January 12, 2012". SI.com. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Duncan Keith scores winner as Blackhawks eliminate Predators". espn.com. ESPN. Associated Press. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Poile's off-season address". Nashville Predators. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Rangers agree to terms with Stalberg". New York Rangers. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  15. ^ Jared Clinton (24 October 2015). "SUSPEND HIM OR NOT: RADKO GUDAS LAYS OUT VIKTOR STALBERG WITH BORDERLINE HIT". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Canes agree to terms with Viktor Stalberg". Carolina Hurricanes. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Senators acquire forward Viktor Stalberg from Carolina". Ottawa Citizen. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  18. ^ "Deal done - Viktor Stalberg joins EV Zug" (in German). swisshockeynews.ch. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  19. ^ "Viktor Stalberg to Avangard Omsk of the KHL" (in German). EV Zug. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  20. ^ Jonnie Nonnie (13 August 2021). "Former Blackhawks Forward Viktor Stalberg Retires from Hockey". ontapsportsnet.com. On Tap Sports Net. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  21. ^ Rogers, Jesse (26 April 2012). "Several Hawks to play in Championships". ESPN.com. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  22. ^ "Teams". IIHF.
  23. ^ "Sweden's Viktor Stalberg '09 Becomes Third UVM Hockey Winter Olympian - University of Vermont". University of Vermont. 16 January 2018.

External links