Mats Lindgren
Encyclopedia
Mats Lindgren is a former Swedish
professional ice hockey
forward. He was selected in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
, 15th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets, although he never had the opportunity to play for them.
Despite versatility and a good on-ice work ethic, Lindgren never lived up to the offensive potential that Winnipeg had seen when they drafted him, scoring only thirteen goals in his best NHL season. In fact, in 387 games with the Edmonton Oilers
, New York Islanders
and the Vancouver Canucks
, Lindgren scored only 54 goals.
A large reason for Lindgren's poor offensive record has been the number of injuries he has suffered. In 9 seasons playing in North America, Lindgren only played one where he missed no time due to injury. Back surgery effectively ended his career. He announced his retirement due to injury on 20 January 2005, despite being only thirty years old.
Lindgren represented Sweden
at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano, Japan
.
After his professional career ended he moved back to his hometown of Skellefteå
, Sweden
where he became assistant coach for Skellefteå AIK
.
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...
forward. He was selected in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
, 15th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets, although he never had the opportunity to play for them.
Despite versatility and a good on-ice work ethic, Lindgren never lived up to the offensive potential that Winnipeg had seen when they drafted him, scoring only thirteen goals in his best NHL season. In fact, in 387 games with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and 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,...
, Lindgren scored only 54 goals.
A large reason for Lindgren's poor offensive record has been the number of injuries he has suffered. In 9 seasons playing in North America, Lindgren only played one where he missed no time due to injury. Back surgery effectively ended his career. He announced his retirement due to injury on 20 January 2005, despite being only thirty years old.
Lindgren represented Sweden
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....
at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
After his professional career ended he moved back to his hometown of Skellefteå
Skellefteå
-Industry:*Boliden AB, a big mining and smelting company*Alimak*Natural User Interface Technologies AB - NUITEQ, a promising emerging technology start-up company-Sports:*Skellefteå AIK, an ice hockey team in the highest Swedish league, Elitserien....
, Sweden
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....
where he became assistant coach for Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK
Skellefteå AIK Hockey is a Swedish professional ice hockey club from Skellefteå, playing in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.- History :...
.