Peter Forsberg

Peter Mattias Forsberg (IPA: fɔʂbærj / i; born July 20, 1973 in Örnsköldsvik ) is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and current - functionary. Between 1995 and 2011 he played in the National Hockey League ( NHL ) for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Nashville Predators at the position of the center. In his 14 seasons lasting NHL career he won, among other twice with the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup and the 2003 Hart Memorial Trophy as most valuable player in the league. At the international level Forsberg won with the Swedish national team at the Olympic Winter Games in 1994 and 2006 gold medal and 1992 and 1998 Ice Hockey World Championship. Forsberg is therefore a member of the Triple Gold Club, as well as support other honors and awards. His original club Colorado Avalanche honors the player with the fact that his shirt number is 21 not awarded since his retirement from active competition.

  • 2.1 National Competitions 2.1.1 NHL All-Star Game
  • 6.1 Sweden
  • 6.2 North America
  • 6.3 International Competitions
  • 6.4 Other

Career

Beginnings in Sweden (1973-1995)

Peter Forsberg was born on 20 July 1973 in the Swedish city Örnsköldsvik and began at the age of five years with the hockey games. Since the age of six he was a member of the MoDo Hockeyklubb and initially went through all the children and youth departments of the association. His idol growing up was Håkan Loob. At the age of 14 he was elected to a regional all-star team, a year later with MoDo he succeeded in winning the national junior championship.

From the season 1989/90 he first played for the youth team of MoDo Hockeyklubb in the junior league J20 SuperElit, in addition, he had this season is also a commitment to MODOS men's team in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second highest league. The following season, Forsberg scored in 39 - J20 SuperElit games 102 points scorer, moreover, he was a regular for the Ascended in the Elitserien professional club to use. He was then, in the first round at a total of sixth position selected in the Entry Draft of the National Hockey League ( NHL), an annual event in which the teams of the National Hockey League can secure the rights to promising young players from the Philadelphia Flyers. This early election was as surprising as the Swede had been evaluated in the Entry Draft as the 25th best junior players and thus as good second-round choice.

After the Draft Forsberg remained for another three years in Sweden. At the end of the 1992/93 season he was the best Swedish ice hockey player the Guldpucken (Golden Puck ), in addition to the offensive player was named most valuable player of the Elitserien with the Guldhjälmen (Golden Helmet ). Both awards Forsberg also received at the end of the following season, after the MoDo Hockeyklubb out into the championship final, which lost its team in the fifth game of the best- of-five series against Malmo IF. At this point, Forsberg was not to be the best in the NHL active players in the world.

The Lindros transfer

Eric Lindros was selected at the NHL Entry Draft 1991 first overall by the Quebec Nordiques position. After the players had refused to enter into with the French-Canadian franchise contract negotiations, he was transferred on 30 June 1992 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Nordiques were next Forsberg five other players, two first-round voting rights for 1993 and 1994 and 15 million U.S. dollars in return. This transfer business is one of the most one-sided of all time, the manifested the following ten years of the successful franchises. This addition is also considered to be the best thing that could happen Forsberg in terms of his NHL career.

Instant success in North America (1995-2001)

In October 1993, Forsberg signed a four year contract with the Quebec Nordiques, who assured him a salary of 6.5 million dollars for this period. In addition, he received a signature bonus of 4.275 million U.S. dollars. In the summer of 1994, Forsberg finally decided for a change to North America to play from the season 1994/95 for the Nordiques in the National Hockey League. However, the start of the season was delayed because of a lockout for a few weeks, so he started this season in the Elitserien and ran aground in eleven games for MoDo Hockeyklubb. After the NHL had taken up the game running again in January 1995, Forsberg graduated on January 21, 1995 against the Philadelphia Flyers their first NHL game. His first goal he scored six days later against goalie Grant Fuhr of the Buffalo Sabres. Overall, Forsberg played in his rookie season 47 games for the Quebec Nordiques, where reach 15 goals and 50 points scorer him. He was behind team captain Joe Sakic second highest points scorer in Québec. The Nordiques finished the regular season as the second- best team in the NHL, but dropped out in the first play-off round against the reigning Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers from. At the end of the season, Peter Forsberg won the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best Neuprofi.

Despite the success, the sporty Nordiques plagued financial problems. The former team owner Marcel Aubut decided in 1995 to a sale of the team to the COMSAT Corporation after financial assistance from local officials had been rejected. In the summer of 1995, the franchise was relocated to Denver in the State of Colorado and renamed Colorado Avalanche.

In the first year in Denver Forsberg graduated with 116 points his most successful season. Colorado Avalanche finished at the end of the preliminary round behind the Detroit Red Wings in second place in the Western Conference. In the subsequent play-offs, the Avalanche won the Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks, the Conference Semifinals against the Chicago Blackhawks, as well as the Conference Finals against the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 games. In the Stanley Cup final played Colorado against the winning team of the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the team from Miami with 4-0 wins, one sweep and won their first Stanley Cup.

In the 1996/97 season Forsberg denied due to a thigh injury, only 65 of 82 possible games. The Quebec / Colorado franchise won for the third time in a row, a division title and the first time the Presidents' Trophy as point- best team in the regular season. In the subsequent play-offs, the avalanche failed in the Western Conference Finals to the Detroit Red Wings. Forsberg presented in the NHL 1998/99 season with 30 goals scored its previous Karrierebestmarke one. At the end of the main round of this season be the end of season expiring contract was extended for three years. The new contract had a value of 26.5 million U.S. dollars, in addition Forsberg received a 3.5 million dollar high signature bonus. Thus, he was among the top earners of the National Hockey League this time.

Second Stanley Cup success, Lockout (2001-2005)

The 2000/01 season was very successful for Forsberg and the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado was at the end of the regular season with 118 points, the best team in the NHL and was therefore again the Presidents' Trophy. In the play-offs defeated the Avalanche in the Conference Quarterfinals, the Vancouver Canucks, in the Conference semi-finals, the Los Angeles Kings and in the Conference Finals, the St. Louis Blues. In the Stanley Cup Final Colorado won the best- of-seven series against the New Jersey Devils 4-3 games. Forsberg retired in the last game of the Conference semi-finals to a ruptured spleen. As a result, the organ was removed and the Swede fell for the rest of the play- offs. At the time of his failure Forsberg was the best points scorer of the Avalanche.

After an ankle injury Forsberg had to stop from playing the entire regular season of 2001/ 02. He returned in April 2002 in time for the play-off beginning in the squad of the Colorado Avalanche and reached back with his team, the Western Conference Finals, in which the Colorado Detroit Red Wings defeated. Despite the long break and the third-round leaving the Avalanche Forsberg scored in 20 play-off games 27 points scorer; more than any other NHL player this season. In the following season, he became the most successful scorer of the main round, the Art Ross Trophy. In addition, Forsberg was awarded at the end of this season as most valuable player of the National Hockey League with the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Finally, in Philadelphia, guest appearance in Nashville (2005-2007)

The NHL season 2004 /05 was due to a lockout completely. Forsberg spent the season in his training club MODO Hockey, in which his father Kent Forsberg worked as a head coach. At the beginning of the NHL season 2005/ 06 Colorado was forced to give more players to stay under the newly introduced salary cap ( salary cap ). While stars like captain Joe Sakic and Rob Blake defenders were kept, had to leave the team has years of service providers such as Forsberg and Adam Foote. On 3 August 2005 the Swede signed a two-year contract worth 11.5 million U.S. dollars at the Philadelphia Flyers, the franchise that Forsberg had 14 years previously drafted.

Forsberg scored in his first season for the Philadelphia Flyers 75 scorer points in 60 games before his team in the first play-off round of the Buffalo Sabres defeated. At the beginning of the season 2006/ 07 he was appointed captain of the Flyers. For the Flyers this season was athletic unsuccessful, the team was a few days before the end of the transfer window at the last place of the National Hockey League. Since Forsberg not known clearly intended to extend his expiring contract at the end of the season with the Flyers, and he could not completely rule out a career end, he was transferred on 20 February 2007 on the Nashville Predators. Philadelphia received in return the player Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, and a first-and third-round option for the NHL Entry Draft in 2007. Through the commitment Forsberg to the Predators hoping next sporting success in the upcoming play-offs even more fans and higher attendances in the Sommet Center, the home arena in Nashville.

Forsberg played across teams 57 games this season, scoring 55 points scorer. It was the first time in his NHL career that he reached a point average of less than 1 per match. The Nashville Predators dropped out in the first play-off round after five games of the best- of-seven series against the San Jose Sharks.

Out, return to Colorado, career finale in Sweden (2008-2010)

After Forsberg could deny because of various injuries of 246 possible only 156 games between 2003 and 2007, he underwent an operation on his right ankle, which had prepared him for the play-offs in 2003 more and more problems in the summer of 2007. Then the contract players sat for several weeks with the training in order to fix exclusively on his physical healing. The variety of injuries made ​​a commitment to Forsberg's big risk. In autumn 2007, Forsberg trained with the Swedish national team to participate in the taking place in November this year Karjala Cup can. However, he broke from the training after an hour, since the foot injury occurred again. Then he canceled his participation in the tournament. By his own testimony he was at this time just before the End of career.

February 25, 2008 Forsberg signed a contract again at the Colorado Avalanche. The contract had until the end of the NHL season 2007/ 08 validity and was endowed with five million U.S. dollars. Due to the ongoing already for almost five months season of actual merit Forsberg was approximately one million U.S. dollars.

Forsberg played in the following nine games for the Avalanche, but he scored 14 points scorer. His average of 1.56 points per game was the league 's highest. In addition, he came in seven playoff games for use before Colorado in the second round of the Detroit Red Wings defeated. Despite the ten -month break and surgery in the summer of 2007 limited during this short return to the NHL injuries to ankles and strip the number of its maximum possible applications.

After another surgery followed by competition break Forsberg signed on 30 January 2009 a contract with MODO Hockey. Subsequently, however, he was able to complete only three games for the team from his hometown Örnsköldsvik before he was sidelined due to injury again. The following season he played 23 games for MODO, thereby pass him 30 points scorer.

NHL comeback and End of career (2011)

In August 2010, Forsberg expressed pessimistic about continuing his career. He explained his persistent foot problems. After another surgery on his right foot, he began early December 2010 to train with MODOS junior team.

As of January 22, 2011 Forsberg took part in the team training of the Colorado Avalanche. A few days earlier he had instructed his agent to ask for a training opportunity in the franchise from Denver. His foot did not make him as little trouble as long before, he also wanted to compete with NHL players to assess their own performance workload realistically. On February 6, 2011 Forsberg signed a running until the end of the NHL season 2010/11 contract with the Avalanche. Subsequently, however, he finished only two games and gave reoccurring problems with his right foot on 14 February 2011 end of his career known.

International career with the Swedish national team

Junior competitions

Peter Forsberg represented his country with the Swedish national team for a total of 14 international competitions. He was present at the U18 European Junior Championships in 1991, when his team finished fourth and consequently missed a medal win its first outing. Forsberg scoring five goals in six games and 17 total points scorer and thus was the best scorer of the tournament. He had with the Swedes won at the U20 World Youth Championship 1992, after a final defeat against the national team of the Commonwealth of Independent States the silver medal for the next job. In 1993, he presented at the U20 World Youth Championship with 24 assists and 31 total points scorer on new tournament records. Forsberg took second place with his team.

A-team

Forsberg debuted at the 1992 World Cup for Sweden Mr. selection. He came here in all eight games for use and earned with his team after a final victory against the Finnish selection the gold medal. At the World Cup a year later Forsberg took second place with his team. At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, the Swedish team won the gold medal with a 3-2 victory against the Canadian National Team. The final match was decided in the shootout mode; Forsberg scoring the decisive goal. From this moment was specially made ​​a stamp in Sweden. Forsberg was the first hockey player, which in Sweden was bestowed this honor.

At the Olympic Winter Games 1998, the Swedish team was the fifth- placed team without winning a medal. A few months later Forsberg was honored as the best striker in the 1998 World Cup after scoring in seven games eleven points scorer and had occupied with his team after a victory in the final series against Finland the first place. At the World Championships in 2003 and 2004, the Swedes were subject each in the finals of the Canadian team.

On February 26, 2006 Forsberg won his second Olympic gold medal when he defeated the Finnish selection 3-2 with his team in the final of the 2006 Winter Games. He had his next and final international use. During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada Forsberg served at the opening ceremony as flag carrier of the Swedish delegation. The decision to choose him as a flag carrier was not made until just before the ceremony.

"I only found out yesterday night that I may wear the flag. It's a huge honor. Of this I have not even dared to dream as a little child. "

At the Olympic ice hockey tournament, the Swedish national team finished fifth and thus missed a medal rank.

Career Stats

National Competitions

NHL All-Star Game

International Competitions

( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )

After the career

At the time of his retirement from active competition Peter Forsberg was an average of 0,898 Assists per game behind Wayne Gretzky ( 1,320 ), Mario Lemieux ( 1,129 ) and Bobby Orr ( 0.982 ) ranked four of the National Hockey League history. In the category scorer points per game, the center occupied by a value of 1.25 the tenth in the league history.

On April 20, Forsberg was appointed Deputy CEO of MODO Hockey.

According to Forsberg's career end his jersey was hung with the shirt number 21 8 October 2011 against Colorado's opening game of the 2011/12 season against the Detroit Red Wings in a ceremony of the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center of the hall ceiling. During the warm-up phase, all players of the Avalanche wore in honor Forsberg a jersey with the number 21, the number never again be awarded to a player the Avalanche. Forsberg is the fourth player the Avalanche, which was bestowed this honor, after the defender Ray Bourque, Patrick Roy goalie and center Joe Sakic.

"I would have gone and had bought me a ticket to see him. You never knew what he would do. He was someone very special. He had an unmistakable movement in which he was skating with the puck behind the net, the defender hit and the puck kept, things like that. I was lucky enough that I got to play with him for several years and it was a lot of fun. I always tried to find the free space and he played the puck through 15 skates and bat through exactly on the racket of his goal. "

"He's just a very nice guy, very humble, very bodenstädig. He had a great significance for hockey in Sweden. For me personally, especially the way he dominated the game physically and technically. His will to win was enormous. "

Game style

Peter Forsberg was a playmaker whose passing game was compared in its effectiveness with that of Wayne Gretzky. The Center was considered a tough player and tireless worker. He was a very fast player who also had a very hard and accurate shot next to a good stick technique. In addition, his creativity was mentioned positively on the ice. At the height of his career, Forsberg was considered the best player in the world. In addition, players and coaches him certified good leadership skills. In addition to his offensive skills and his defensive work stood out positively. His longtime teammate Joe Sakic said Forsberg was the most complete player in the National Hockey League; Also similar to Claude Lemieux expressed. Sports Illustrated called Forsberg 1998 as the best two-way players in the world.

Forsberg's physical game resulted in numerous injuries. Its high susceptibility to injury at the end of his career is based on the fact that he maintained his hard stance many years and in his style of play made ​​no concessions to his age. So Forsberg denied because of several physical ailments between the end of the NHL season 2006/ 07 and end of his career in February 2011, only 44 season and play- off games and four games at the Olympic Winter Games 2010. Especially his right foot caused him repeatedly problems. According to his own statement moves the number of operations, which he had to undergo because of various complications in this walk, in the " double digits ." These foot problems occurred the first time in the play-offs of the NHL season 2002/ 03 and led ultimately to the End of career of the athlete.

Private and activities away from the ice hockey

Forsberg began at the age of five years with ice hockey games to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Roger. In his youth he attended a specially geared to the promotion of hockey players high school together with Markus Naslund. After ending his playing career, he began studying economics.

Together with his father Kent Peter Forsberg founded the development company Forspro Company. Forspro funded include the construction of the Fjällräven Center, a sports and entertainment arena in his hometown of Örnsköldsvik. In addition, Forsberg had Pforce with a company that imported and marketed Crocs. In July 2010, had to file for bankruptcy Pforce after the company had been run in 2008 and 2009 losses.

Forsberg is a supporter of the harness racing and participates with their own race horses in competitions. In addition, he is a founding member of Icebreakers, a hockey team consisting of current and former Swedish NHL players, denies the charity games for children and young people from the province Västernorrland.

Its often used nickname Foppa has no special meaning in the Swedish language. With his girlfriend Nicole Nordin he 's engaged since November 2010. In February 2012, announced Forsberg Nicole's pregnancy. The couple is expecting a boy.

Awards and achievements

Sweden

North America

International Competitions

Other

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