Viktor Fasth
Encyclopedia
Erik Sixten Viktor Fasth (born 8 August 1982) is a Swedish
professional ice hockey
goaltender
currently playing in AIK
of the Elitserien
.
, but grew up in Vänersborg
. As an 18-year-old goaltender, Fasth played with the Brooklyn Tigers in the Swedish Division 2
. The following season he played with Vänersborgs HC in Division 1
. The following season, in 2002–03, he turned to the Tvåstad Cobras HC to return to Division 2. Tvåstad became promoted to Division 1 that season, and Fasth continued to play for them in the 2003–04 season. However, the Tvåstad Cobras HC team was shut down after the 2003–04 season due to financial problems, and Fasth therefore moved to play in Tingsryds AIF
in Division 1 for three seasons. In his 2006–07 season with Tingsryd he was the third best goaltender in Division F, with a 92.47% save percentage
in 33 games. His biggest success in the team came in that season, when he helped the team reach the Kvalserien
qualification for HockeyAllsvenskan for the first time since their relegation to Division 1 in the 2002–03 season. However, the team finished fourth in the Kvalserien qualification and thus remained in Division 1.
Fasth then signed with Växjö Lakers Hockey
in the 2007–08 season (at that time in HockeyAllsvenskan) and played there for three seasons. He played well in all of these seasons, placing, in the leading goaltenders league, second in the 2007–08 season and first in the 2009–10 season.
After a successful 2009–10 season, which ended with play in the Kvalserien
qualification for Elitserien
, he signed a one-year contract with Elitserien newcomers AIK
to make his debut season in Elitserien, the top ice hockey league in Sweden. Playing in 42 games, he posted an impressive 92.45% save percentage and placed third in the leading goaltenders league. He significantly contributed to AIK's success that season, reaching the semifinals in the playoffs. Viktor Fasth received both the Honken Trophy
award and the Guldpucken
(Golden Puck) award. In February 2011, Fasth extended his contract with the team by 2 years, which means the contract will expire after the 2012–13 season.
refused to play for Sweden in the 2011 World Championship, Fasth was given a chance to play for Sweden in the 2011 World Championship. Fasth made his debut in Sweden's national team on April 6, 2011, in an exhibition game
against Germany
. In the World Championship tournament he helped Sweden reach the final
and led the leading goaltenders league until the gold medal game against Finland. However, Sweden lost the final and Fasth allowed 6 goals out of 32 shots in that game, and Fasth therefore landed in second place in the leading goaltenders league, with a 94.57% save percentage in 7 games and three shutout
s. Despite the loss, Fasth was named the tournament's MVP
(most valuable player) and best goalkeeper. He was also selected to the tournament's All-Star
Team.
in the then third-tier Division 2
. Viktor Fasth has a sambo
named Linda Bäcktorp, and they live together in an apartment located in Johanneshov
, Stockholm
. The couple gave birth to a daughter in July 2011.
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 in AIK
AIK IF
Allmänna Idrottsklubben Ishockeyförening is the ice hockey section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben based in Stockholm, Sweden...
of the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
.
Career
Viktor Fasth was born in KalixKalix
Kalix is a locality and the seat of the Kalix Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden. The name Kalix is believed to have come from nomadic tribes, possibly of Sapmí origin, and is derived from the word "Kalasätno", meaning "The cold river"...
, but grew up in Vänersborg
Vänersborg
Vänersborg is a locality and the seat of Vänersborg Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 21,672 inhabitants in 2005. Until 1997 it was the capital of Älvsborg County, which was dissolved in 1998. Since 1999 Vänersborg is the seat of the regional parliament of Västra Götaland County...
. As an 18-year-old goaltender, Fasth played with the Brooklyn Tigers in the Swedish Division 2
Swedish Division 2 (ice hockey)
-Participating teams:* Åkers Hockey* Alfta GIF* Alingsås Hockey* Alvesta SK* Älvsby IF* Åmåls SK* Ånge IK* Arvika HC* Åseda IF* Asplöven HC B* Avesta BK* Boden HF U20* Bolidens FFI* Boro/Vetlanda HC* Brooklyn Rebels U20* Brooklyn Tigers...
. The following season he played with Vänersborgs HC in Division 1
Swedish Division 1 (ice hockey)
The Swedish Division 1 is the third highest-level ice hockey league in Sweden, consisting of 57 teams. The top teams of the league earn the right to take part in the Kvalserien qualification, where the two top teams are promoted to the HockeyAllsvenskan...
. The following season, in 2002–03, he turned to the Tvåstad Cobras HC to return to Division 2. Tvåstad became promoted to Division 1 that season, and Fasth continued to play for them in the 2003–04 season. However, the Tvåstad Cobras HC team was shut down after the 2003–04 season due to financial problems, and Fasth therefore moved to play in Tingsryds AIF
Tingsryds AIF
Tingsryds AIF, also known as just Tingsryd or TAIF, is an ice hockey club based in Tingsryd, Sweden. The club was founded in 1923. Since the 2010–11 season, Tingsryd is playing in Sweden's second highest division, HockeyAllsvenskan. The club has been quite successful and played in Division I when...
in Division 1 for three seasons. In his 2006–07 season with Tingsryd he was the third best goaltender in Division F, with a 92.47% save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
in 33 games. His biggest success in the team came in that season, when he helped the team reach the Kvalserien
Kvalserien (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Kvalserien, also known as Kvalserien till HockeyAllsvenskan, is the name of the Swedish round-robin ice hockey tournament to qualify for play in the next season of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second highest ice hockey league for men.-Teams:...
qualification for HockeyAllsvenskan for the first time since their relegation to Division 1 in the 2002–03 season. However, the team finished fourth in the Kvalserien qualification and thus remained in Division 1.
Fasth then signed with Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey
Växjö Lakers Hockey is an ice hockey club from Växjö in Sweden. They play their home games in the Vida Arena. The club makes their debut in the Elitserien , Sweden's top ice hockey league, in the 2011–12 season...
in the 2007–08 season (at that time in HockeyAllsvenskan) and played there for three seasons. He played well in all of these seasons, placing, in the leading goaltenders league, second in the 2007–08 season and first in the 2009–10 season.
After a successful 2009–10 season, which ended with play in the Kvalserien
Kvalserien
Kvalserien, also known as Kvalserien till Elitserien, is the name of the Swedish round-robin ice hockey tournament to qualify for play in the next season of Elitserien, Sweden's top-level ice hockey league for men.-Teams:...
qualification for Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
, he signed a one-year contract with Elitserien newcomers AIK
AIK IF
Allmänna Idrottsklubben Ishockeyförening is the ice hockey section of the sports club Allmänna Idrottsklubben based in Stockholm, Sweden...
to make his debut season in Elitserien, the top ice hockey league in Sweden. Playing in 42 games, he posted an impressive 92.45% save percentage and placed third in the leading goaltenders league. He significantly contributed to AIK's success that season, reaching the semifinals in the playoffs. Viktor Fasth received both the Honken Trophy
Honken Trophy
Honken Trophy is awarded annually to the Swedish goaltender of the year, playing in Sweden , as decided on by EventHouse and Kamratföreningen Hockeyjournalisterna. It was installed in 2002 and resembles the Vezina Trophy of the NHL. The trophy is named in honour of goalie Leif "Honken" Holmqvist.-...
award and the Guldpucken
Guldpucken
Guldpucken is awarded annually to the ice hockey player of the year in Sweden. It is similar to the NHL's Hart Memorial Trophy. Normally it goes to a player in the Swedish Elite League...
(Golden Puck) award. In February 2011, Fasth extended his contract with the team by 2 years, which means the contract will expire after the 2012–13 season.
International career
After goaltender Stefan LivStefan Liv
Stefan Daniel Patryk Liv was a Polish-born Swedish professional ice hockey player. Liv played professionally in Sweden, North America and Russia. Liv played nine seasons for HV71 in Sweden. He played one season of minor league hockey in North America then returned to Europe...
refused to play for Sweden in the 2011 World Championship, Fasth was given a chance to play for Sweden in the 2011 World Championship. Fasth made his debut in Sweden's national team on April 6, 2011, in an exhibition game
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Germany
Germany men's national ice hockey team
The German men's national ice hockey team first participated in serious international competition at the 1911 European Hockey Championship. When Germany was split after World War II, a separate East German national ice hockey team existed until 1990...
. In the World Championship tournament he helped Sweden reach the final
2011 IIHF World Championship Final
The 2011 IIHF World Championship final was played at the Orange Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia on 15 May between Sweden and Finland. Finland won the match 6–1 and became world champions for the first time since the 1995 tournament, and for the second time in history...
and led the leading goaltenders league until the gold medal game against Finland. However, Sweden lost the final and Fasth allowed 6 goals out of 32 shots in that game, and Fasth therefore landed in second place in the leading goaltenders league, with a 94.57% save percentage in 7 games and three shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s. Despite the loss, Fasth was named the tournament's MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
(most valuable player) and best goalkeeper. He was also selected to the tournament's All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
Team.
Personal life
Viktor Fasth is the son of Kenteric Fasth, a former goaltender who played for IFK VänersborgIFK Vänersborg
IFK Vänersborg is a Swedish sports club in Vänersborg, Sweden, most famous for its success in bandy for men.-History:The club was formed on 9 March 1903. The first years, the club also competed in sports such as gymnastics and athletics....
in the then third-tier Division 2
Swedish Division 2 (ice hockey)
-Participating teams:* Åkers Hockey* Alfta GIF* Alingsås Hockey* Alvesta SK* Älvsby IF* Åmåls SK* Ånge IK* Arvika HC* Åseda IF* Asplöven HC B* Avesta BK* Boden HF U20* Bolidens FFI* Boro/Vetlanda HC* Brooklyn Rebels U20* Brooklyn Tigers...
. Viktor Fasth has a sambo
Cohabitation
Cohabitation usually refers to an arrangement whereby two people decide to live together on a long-term or permanent basis in an emotionally and/or sexually intimate relationship. The term is most frequently applied to couples who are not married...
named Linda Bäcktorp, and they live together in an apartment located in Johanneshov
Johanneshov
Johanneshov is a district located at the intersection of national road 73 and Södra länken in Stockholm, Sweden....
, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. The couple gave birth to a daughter in July 2011.