Mats Näslund
Encyclopedia
Mats Näslund nicknamed "Le Petit Viking", is a retired Swedish ice hockey
player. He played as a left wing
.
, by the Montreal Canadiens
. After three more years of playing hockey in Sweden, he joined the Canadiens for the 1982–83 NHL season. He was the first European-born player to ever play for the Canadiens.
In his rookie season of 1982–83, Näslund recorded 71 points in 74 games, finishing third on the team in scoring behind Guy Lafleur
and Ryan Walter
. That year, he was recognized as the left winger on the NHL All-Rookie Team
.
His offensive abilities quickly endeared him to Montreal fans, and he was given the nickname of "Le Petit Viking" (The Little Viking), a reference to his Nordic heritage and his diminutive stature. Teammate Mario Tremblay
jokingly said on the arrival of Näslund that they only received one half of a player and the other half would arrive later.
Näslund's best NHL
season came in 1985–86. He recorded 43 goals and 67 assists for 110 points, the first Montreal player to top 100 points since Lafleur in 1979–80, and the last Canadien to reach 100 points as of the 2009–10 season
or finish in the top 10 of NHL scoring. His 67 assists were an NHL
record for a left winger until Kevin Stevens
of the Pittsburgh Penguins
recorded 69 in 1991–92. In the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, the speedy Näslund led all Montreal scorers with 19 points as the Canadiens won their 23rd Stanley Cup
championship, their first since 1979. He continued to lead the Montreal Canadiens in scoring through the 1986–87 season, however his output was lower than the that of the preceding season.
During his NHL career, Näslund was an infrequent visitor to the penalty box. Never logging more than 19 penalty minutes in any season during his career, his gentlemanly play was recognized when he was voted the winner of the 1988 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
, beating Wayne Gretzky
in the voting. During the 1988 NHL All-Star Game
, his five assists established a record, and he was instrumental in helping Mario Lemieux
set the All-Star Game record with six points.
After a sub-par 1989–90 season, worn down by the relatively long NHL seasons, Näslund left the Canadiens to return to Europe. He played one year in Switzerland
, followed by three seasons in his native Sweden. He returned to the NHL to play for the Boston Bruins in the lockout shortened 1994–95 season, and retired from hockey thereafter.
Näslund ranks twelfth on the Canadiens all-time scoring list, with 612 points in 617 regular season games.
Though sometimes assumed to be the brother of former NHL
player Markus Näslund
, the two are actually not related.
Näslund would go on to participate in five World Hockey Championships
, winning a bronze in 1979, a silver in 1981 and a gold in 1991, his last appearance at the event. Because the World Championships occur at the same time as the Stanley Cup playoffs, Näslund was often not available for the event during his best years in Montreal. His sole appearance as an active NHL player came in 1983.
Näslund did get the chance to play for Sweden against the NHL's best players at the 1984, 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup, the forerunner to the World Cup
. The Swedes lost to Canada in the finals of the 1984 event. They reached the semifinal game in both 1987 and 1991, losing to the USSR
and Canada respectively.
Näslund also participated in two Winter Olympics
, in 1980
and 1994
. Sweden won the bronze medal in 1980 and the gold medal in 1994, that year defeating Canada in a memorable shootout. The gold medal in 1994 gave Näslund the distinction of having won the Stanley Cup, World Championship and Olympic Championship in his career, and (along with Håkan Loob
and Tomas Jonsson
) becoming the first member(s) of the Triple Gold Club
.
As general manager
for the Swedish national men's ice hockey team
, Näslund helped construct the gold medal-winning team at the 2006 Winter Olympics
.
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...
player. He played as a left wing
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
.
NHL career
Näslund was selected in the second round as the 37th overall pick in the 1979 NHL Entry DraftNHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
, by the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. After three more years of playing hockey in Sweden, he joined the Canadiens for the 1982–83 NHL season. He was the first European-born player to ever play for the Canadiens.
In his rookie season of 1982–83, Näslund recorded 71 points in 74 games, finishing third on the team in scoring behind Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur
Guy Damien "The Flower" / "Le Démon Blond" Lafleur, OC, CQ is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted and popular players ever to play professional ice hockey...
and Ryan Walter
Ryan Walter
Ryan William Walter is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League...
. That year, he was recognized as the left winger on the NHL All-Rookie Team
NHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
.
His offensive abilities quickly endeared him to Montreal fans, and he was given the nickname of "Le Petit Viking" (The Little Viking), a reference to his Nordic heritage and his diminutive stature. Teammate Mario Tremblay
Mario Tremblay
Mario Tremblay is a former professional ice hockey player and former coach in the National Hockey League...
jokingly said on the arrival of Näslund that they only received one half of a player and the other half would arrive later.
Näslund's best NHL
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...
season came in 1985–86. He recorded 43 goals and 67 assists for 110 points, the first Montreal player to top 100 points since Lafleur in 1979–80, and the last Canadien to reach 100 points as of the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
or finish in the top 10 of NHL scoring. His 67 assists were an NHL
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...
record for a left winger until Kevin Stevens
Kevin Stevens
Kevin "Artie" Stevens is a retired ice hockey player and current NHL scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played left wing on a line with Mario Lemieux during the Penguins' Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992...
of the 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...
recorded 69 in 1991–92. In the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, the speedy Näslund led all Montreal scorers with 19 points as the Canadiens won their 23rd Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship, their first since 1979. He continued to lead the Montreal Canadiens in scoring through the 1986–87 season, however his output was lower than the that of the preceding season.
During his NHL career, Näslund was an infrequent visitor to the penalty box. Never logging more than 19 penalty minutes in any season during his career, his gentlemanly play was recognized when he was voted the winner of the 1988 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
, beating Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
in the voting. During the 1988 NHL All-Star Game
39th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 39th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, home to the St. Louis Blues, on February 9, 1988.-Lemieux makes his mark:...
, his five assists established a record, and he was instrumental in helping Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
set the All-Star Game record with six points.
After a sub-par 1989–90 season, worn down by the relatively long NHL seasons, Näslund left the Canadiens to return to Europe. He played one year in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, followed by three seasons in his native Sweden. He returned to the NHL to play for the Boston Bruins in the lockout shortened 1994–95 season, and retired from hockey thereafter.
Näslund ranks twelfth on the Canadiens all-time scoring list, with 612 points in 617 regular season games.
Though sometimes assumed to be the brother of former NHL
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...
player Markus Näslund
Markus Näslund
Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey...
, the two are actually not related.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1975–76 | Timrå IK Timrå IK Timrå IK is a Swedish ice hockey team from Timrå, who currently plays in the top division, Elitserien. Seasons in the top division include 1956–57 to 1975–76, 1977–78, 1981–82, and 2000–01 until present.-History:... |
SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Timrå IK | SEL | 35 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Brynäs IF Brynäs IF Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:... |
SEL | 36 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Brynäs IF | SEL | 36 | 18 | 19 | 37 | 34 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 1980–81 | Brynäs IF | SEL | 36 | 17 | 25 | 42 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | Brynäs IF | SEL | 36 | 24 | 18 | 42 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL 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... |
74 | 26 | 45 | 71 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1983–84 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 29 | 35 | 64 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 4 | ||
| 1984–85 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 42 | 37 | 79 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 6 | ||
| 1985–86 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 43 | 67 | 110 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 4 | ||
| 1986–87 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 79 | 25 | 55 | 80 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 11 | ||
| 1987–88 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 78 | 24 | 59 | 83 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 1988–89 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 33 | 51 | 84 | 14 | 21 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 6 | ||
| 1989–90 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 72 | 21 | 20 | 41 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1990–91 | HC Lugano | Swiss-A | 31 | 27 | 29 | 56 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 13 | ||||
| 1991–92 | Malmö IF | SEL | 39 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 1992–93 | Malmö IF | SEL | 33 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1993–94 | Malmö IF | SEL | 40 | 14 | 30 | 44 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1994–95 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 34 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Elitserien totals | 294 | 124 | 155 | 279 | 145 | 29 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 8 | ||||
| NHL totals | 651 | 251 | 383 | 634 | 111 | 102 | 35 | 57 | 92 | 33 | ||||
International career
Näslund is one of Swedish hockey's all-time great players, and as such represented his country at numerous international tournaments. As a junior, he represented Sweden at the 1978 and 1979 World Junior Hockey Championship, winning a silver medal in 1978 and a bronze medal the following year.Näslund would go on to participate in five World Hockey Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
, winning a bronze in 1979, a silver in 1981 and a gold in 1991, his last appearance at the event. Because the World Championships occur at the same time as the Stanley Cup playoffs, Näslund was often not available for the event during his best years in Montreal. His sole appearance as an active NHL player came in 1983.
Näslund did get the chance to play for Sweden against the NHL's best players at the 1984, 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup, the forerunner to the World Cup
World Cup of Hockey
The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991...
. The Swedes lost to Canada in the finals of the 1984 event. They reached the semifinal game in both 1987 and 1991, losing to the USSR
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and Canada respectively.
Näslund also participated in two Winter Olympics
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
, in 1980
1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIII Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event which was celebrated from 13 February through 24 February 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, United States of America. This was the second time the Upstate New York village hosted the Games, after 1932...
and 1994
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
. Sweden won the bronze medal in 1980 and the gold medal in 1994, that year defeating Canada in a memorable shootout. The gold medal in 1994 gave Näslund the distinction of having won the Stanley Cup, World Championship and Olympic Championship in his career, and (along with Håkan Loob
Håkan Loob
Per Håkan Loob is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who is currently the president of hockey operations of Färjestads BK in the Swedish Elitserien, for whom he played much of his playing career....
and Tomas Jonsson
Tomas Jonsson
Tomas Jonsson, is a former ice hockey player from Sweden. He is the current head coach of EfB Ishockey in the Danish AL-Bank Ligaen and assistant coach for the Danish national ice hockey team...
) becoming the first member(s) of the Triple Gold Club
Triple Gold Club
The Triple Gold Club is a term used to describe ice hockey players and coaches who have won an Olympic Games gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Stanley Cup, the championship trophy of the National Hockey League...
.
As general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Swedish national men's ice hockey team
Swedish national men's ice hockey team
The Swedish men's national ice hockey team, or Tre Kronor , as it is called in Sweden, is one of the most successful ice hockey teams in the world...
, Näslund helped construct the gold medal-winning team at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
.
Awards, honors and championships
- World Junior Ice Hockey Championship All-Star Team, 19781978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships-Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:-Group B:-Group A:-Gold medal game:-Leading scorers:-Tournament awards:-Blue group:...
- Golden Puck (Swedish Player of the Year), 1980
- Swedish league champion, 1980, 1992, 1994
- NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie TeamThe NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
, 1983 - Played in NHL All-Star Game, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989 (injured, did not play)
- NHL Second All-Star Team, 1986
- Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion, 19861986 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1986 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Calgary Flames in their first Final appearance and the Montreal Canadiens in their 32nd. The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win their twenty-third Stanley Cup, and their seventeenth in their... - Lady Byng Trophy, 1988
- World Champion, 19911991 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships-Final Round:-Consolation Round:No team was relegated because of the expansion to twelve teams.-World Championship Group B :...
- Olympic gold medal, 1994Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics was held at the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik and the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. The competition, held from February 12 to February 27, was won by Sweden and Canada as runner-up.-Final rankings:Source:* Gold -...