Peter Forsberg

Peter Mattias Forsberg {{Audio|sv-Peter_Forsberg.ogg|listen}} (born July 20, 1973 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) is a center/left wing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He played for his hometown team MODO Hockey in Sweden during the 2004 NHL Lockout, before that he was one of the top players in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche. He planned his return to his homeland even before the current NHL labor dispute turned into a full-fledged lockout. When the NHL resolved its labor dispute he ended up signing with the Philadelphia Flyers for 11.7 million dollars over two years, turning down an offer of 13.5 million dollars over four years to play with the Colorado Avalanche.

Related Topics:
July 20 - 1973 - Örnsköldsvik - Sweden - Center - Left wing - Philadelphia Flyers - MODO Hockey - 2004 NHL Lockout - NHL - Colorado Avalanche - NHL labor dispute - Lockout

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsberg is recognized as one of the NHL's top players both offensively and defensively, and thus as one of the top stars in the league. He is especially noted for his incredible strength on his skates and how difficult it can be to knock him down. His greatest weakness is a tendency to become injured. He has not played a full NHL season since the 1995-1996 season, and he missed the entire 2001-2002 regular season due to a variety of injuries.

Related Topics:
1995 - 1996 - 2001 - 2002

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From a young age, Forsberg was recognized as a top athlete. At age 15, Swedish hockey officials made a video of Forsberg, showing off his superior agility and vertical leap. He played junior hockey with MODO Hockey, debuting in 1989. After playing 23 games with the senior club in 1991, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers with the 6th pick of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

Related Topics:
Swedish - 1989 - 1991 - Philadelphia Flyers - 1991 NHL Entry Draft

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first pick of that same draft, Eric Lindros would be permanently connected to Forsberg when, with Eric having refused to sign with the Quebec Nordiques, they traded him, on June 30, 1992. The Nordiques gave Lindros to the Flyers in exchange for Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, Mike Ricci, two first round draft picks, and $15,000,000 cash. Many consider this trade to be the foundation of the Nordiques-turned-Colorado Avalanche's pair of Stanley Cup-winning teams. Indeed, many have suggested that Forsberg, by himself, has had a better, more valuable career than Eric Lindros, and so this trade is frequently listed as one of the all-time most lopsided deals in NHL history.

Related Topics:
Eric Lindros - Quebec Nordiques - June 30 - 1992 - Ron Hextall - Steve Duchesne - Kerry Huffman - Chris Simon - Mike Ricci - Colorado Avalanche - Stanley Cup

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsberg remained in Sweden, playing for MoDo for the next 2 years, where he starred. In 1994, he led the Swedes to a gold medal in the Winter Olympics, scoring the winning goal of the penalty shootout that decided the gold medal game. An image of Forsberg scoring this goal was later placed on a Swedish postage stamp, making Peter the only hockey player so far to be placed on a Swedish stamp.

Related Topics:
1994 - Winter Olympics - Postage stamp

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsberg first played in the NHL in the 1994-1995 season. He was an instant success, scoring 50 points in the strike-shortened season, and winning the Calder Trophy. In 1995, the Nordiques moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. Forsberg played a large role in the team's success in their first year in Denver. He scored 116 points in the regular season, and 21 points in 22 games during the playoffs, helping the Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup.

Related Topics:
1994 - 1995 - Calder Trophy - Colorado - Denver - Florida Panthers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsberg continued to star in the league, although the Avalanche failed to win the cup again in their next few tries. In 1999, he led all players in scoring in the playoffs, but the Avalanche were defeated by the Dallas Stars, who would go on to win their first Stanley Cup. Defeat came again in 2000, despite the acquisition of Ray Bourque. However, in 2001, the Avalanche would win their second Stanley Cup. This victory was somewhat bittersweet for Forsberg, though. After the Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the playoffs, Forsberg had to have his spleen removed and would not play again in the playoffs. He decided to take the entire next season off to recuperate, and only returned for the playoffs, which he again led in scoring with 27 points, but again with his team losing before the Stanley Cup Finals, this time to the Detroit Red Wings.

Related Topics:
1999 - Dallas Stars - 2000 - Ray Bourque - 2001 - Los Angeles Kings - Detroit Red Wings

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2002-2003 was a banner year for Forsberg. Much healthier and more rested than he had been in the previous few years, he went on to lead the league with 106 points, and was rewarded with the Hart Trophy. Despite this regular-season glory, the Avalanche lost to the underdog Minnesota Wild in the playoffs.

Related Topics:
2002 - 2003 - Hart Trophy - Minnesota Wild

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peter Forsberg has been one of the biggest stars in the NHL throughout much of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. He has played in five National Hockey League All-Star Games and been named to the NHL First All-Star Team three times, in addition to his two Stanley Cups, Hart Trophy, Calder Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Olympic Gold Medal. His two-way play made him one of the most coveted players in the league.

Related Topics:
National Hockey League All-Star Game - Art Ross Trophy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsberg is well-known in Sweden by the nickname "Foppa", which contrary to popular belief, does not have any definite meaning like "puck wizard." It is merely a nickname for some people in Sweden with the surname Forsberg, similar to "Smitty" for Smith.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also: List of Swedes in sports

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~