Johan Hedberg
Encyclopedia
Johan "Moose" Hedberg is a Swedish
professional ice hockey
goaltender
currently playing with the New Jersey Devils
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
by the Philadelphia Flyers
. Before signing in Atlanta in 2006, Hedberg played for the Dallas Stars
, Vancouver Canucks
, and Pittsburgh Penguins
. He has also played for other clubs: Leksands IF
(Sweden), Baton Rouge Kingfish
(ECHL
), Detroit Vipers
(IHL), Manitoba Moose
(IHL/AHL
), Kentucky Thoroughblades
(AHL
)
Hedberg's nickname is "Moose" or rarely but more preferably "Jo-Jo", pronounced yo-yo. When he played for Pittsburgh, the home crowds would cheer for him after a spectacular save by yelling "Mooooose". This was often heard incorrectly as a boo. Fans quickly nicknamed him "Moose" out of necessity – Hedberg started a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and as a result was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet which, not surprisingly, had a large moose painted across it.
On December 26, 2005, Hedberg recorded two assists in a game against the St. Louis Blues. This is the first time a Dallas Stars goalie has ever accomplished this feat, and the first time any goalie in the NHL has done it since Patrick Roy
on December 29, 2000. One assist came from a pass that met Stars Captain Mike Modano
at the Blues' blue line, granting him a 1-on-1 opportunity.
Hedberg signed a two year contract with Atlanta in July 2006, and served as backup for starter Kari Lehtonen
during the first year of that contract. With a long term injury that hindered Lehtonen during the 2007–08 season, Hedberg took over as Atlanta's starting goaltender for much of the season.
On June 16, 2008, Hedberg signed a multi-year contract extension with the Thrashers. During the season of 2009–10 he shared time with Ondrej Pavelec
as the primary starter after Lehtonen missed most of the season and was then traded. Despite Hedberg's good performance he and the Thrashers parted ways after the season.
On July 1, 2010 Johan Hedberg signed a one year deal with the New Jersey Devils
, which included a no-trade clause. His contract was renewed on July 1, 2011 which again included a no-trade clause.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
currently playing with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
Playing career
Hedberg was drafted in the ninth round, 218th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Before signing in Atlanta in 2006, Hedberg played for the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, and Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. He has also played for other clubs: Leksands IF
Leksands IF
Leksands Idrottsförening is a Swedish ice hockey team from the town of Leksand in the region of Dalarna. The team is currently playing in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan. Leksand has played 53 seasons in the top Swedish league – between 1951 to 2001, 2002 to 2004, and 2005–06...
(Sweden), Baton Rouge Kingfish
Baton Rouge Kingfish
The Baton Rouge Kingfish were a minor professional ice hockey team in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a member of the East Coast Hockey League. The franchise arrived in Baton Rouge in 1996 after relocating from Erie, Pennsylvania, where they had played as the Erie Panthers since 1988 as one of the...
(ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
), Detroit Vipers
Detroit Vipers
The Detroit Vipers was an International Hockey League team. The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills.-Beginning:...
(IHL), Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
(IHL/AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
), Kentucky Thoroughblades
Kentucky Thoroughblades
The Kentucky Thoroughblades were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, who existed from 1996 to 2001. The Thoroughblades were based in Lexington, Kentucky, playing home games at Rupp Arena...
(AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
)
Hedberg's nickname is "Moose" or rarely but more preferably "Jo-Jo", pronounced yo-yo. When he played for Pittsburgh, the home crowds would cheer for him after a spectacular save by yelling "Mooooose". This was often heard incorrectly as a boo. Fans quickly nicknamed him "Moose" out of necessity – Hedberg started a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and as a result was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet which, not surprisingly, had a large moose painted across it.
On December 26, 2005, Hedberg recorded two assists in a game against the St. Louis Blues. This is the first time a Dallas Stars goalie has ever accomplished this feat, and the first time any goalie in the NHL has done it since Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
on December 29, 2000. One assist came from a pass that met Stars Captain Mike Modano
Mike Modano
Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
at the Blues' blue line, granting him a 1-on-1 opportunity.
Hedberg signed a two year contract with Atlanta in July 2006, and served as backup for starter Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League...
during the first year of that contract. With a long term injury that hindered Lehtonen during the 2007–08 season, Hedberg took over as Atlanta's starting goaltender for much of the season.
On June 16, 2008, Hedberg signed a multi-year contract extension with the Thrashers. During the season of 2009–10 he shared time with Ondrej Pavelec
Ondrej Pavelec
Ondřej Pavelec is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
as the primary starter after Lehtonen missed most of the season and was then traded. Despite Hedberg's good performance he and the Thrashers parted ways after the season.
On July 1, 2010 Johan Hedberg signed a one year deal with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, which included a no-trade clause. His contract was renewed on July 1, 2011 which again included a no-trade clause.