The Hockey Hall of Fame is welcoming six new members into its prestigious halls on Friday November 14th, 2014. Join us here at Last Word On Sports as we take an in depth look every day at the new inductees. Today we are looking at the legendary centre Peter Forsberg.
2014 HHOF Induction Profile: Peter Forsberg
When you think of Peter Forsberg, you see amazing. You see crisp, “how in the world did he do that” passes. You see a player who had it all, except for one important thing you need to play in the NHL: durability. Forsberg played one full season, in his sophomore year, and then could never get past 78 games. It was a shame, because Forsberg definitely had the talent and skill to put himself in the top twenty of all time scorers.
NHL Debut
Forsberg was drafted sixth overall in the 1991 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, but never suited up for them. He was sent to the Quebec Nordiques in the offseason of 1992 in the Eric Lindros deal, a trade which the Nordiques, who later relocated and changed to the Colorado Avalanche, wondue to receiving many key pieces in their future success.
Despite being traded, Forsberg continued playing for the MODO in the Swedish hockey league, the SEL, up until he signed a six-year deal with the Nordiques in 1994-95. The lockout that year stalled his widely anticipated debut, but once he did, the Nordiques organization knew they had gotten a gem when he scored 50 points in 47 games.
Powerhouse
The next nine seasons, he played for the Colorado Avalanche on a powerhouse team that included Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Claude Lemieux, Adam Deadmarsh, Adam Foote, Chris Drury, Theo Fleury for a season, Patrick Roy (after the 95-96 debacle involving the Montreal Canadiens), and many others. The Avs won two Cups and finished 1st in their conference for eight straight seasons.
Thanks in large part to the incredible play of Forsberg, they enjoyed huge playoffs success, getting to the Conference Final four times in that span, two Cup wins, and only bowing out in the first round twice (but both times in a seven-game series). The Avs went 315-166-80-13 during that nine year span with Forsberg in the lineup (Forsberg missed the 01-02 season due to a season-ending injury but returned for the playoffs and led the entire NHL in post-season scoring with 27 points in 20 games, despite the Avalanche getting eliminated in the Conferece Final).
Moving On
After the lockout of 04-05 was lifted, the salary cap was implemented and that forced the Avs to let go of Forsberg in favor of Sakic. Forsberg signed with the Flyers, who had orginally drafted him in 1991. He played a season and a half with the Flyers, but wasn’t a good fit, as the Flyers traded him halfway through the 06-07 season to the Nashville Predators for two players and picks. He lasted only 17 games with Nashville and left for free agency.
Forsberg sat out most of the 07-08 season, due to a lingering injury in his ankle, but he gave in and returned to the Avs in February. He got injured only three games in and only managed to play nine games that season, but did put up 14 points, ranking him first in point per game ratio with a 1.56, beating league leader Alex Ovechkin, even though Ovie played all 82 games. Forsberg breifly retired from the NHL soon after, but still played in the SEL for MODO. He came back to the NHL and the Avs in 2010-11 for a two-game tryout, but he couldn’t stick and hung up the skates for good.
Triple Gold Club
Forsberg has also had immense success at the international level. He is a member of the Triple Gold Club, for winning an Olympic Gold Medal ( 94, 06), Gold at World Championship ( 94,98), and the Stanley Cup (96,01). He set a record for most points in the World Junior Championship, notching 31 points in just 7 games. He also has three silver medals from his play in the World Championship, along with two medals from the World Junior Championship.
His International Junior totals are 20 games played and an incredible 59 points, while his International Senior totals is 63 games played with 20 goals and 57 points.
Legacy
The legendary forward has won many accolades in his name, with the Calder (1995), Art Ross (2003), Hart Memorial (2003), and the Bud Light Plus/Minus Award (2003, shared with former teammate Hejduk). He has also made the All Star Team on three occasions, in 1998, 1999, and 2003, and also made the All Rookie Team in 1995.
In 2002, Forsberg and his friend and fellow NHL’er Markus Naslund, along with other players and businessmen, founded the IceBreakers hockey team, which plays games to raise money and also give scholarships to disabled children or children that are in need of funds. They also set up auctions and charity events like celebrity golf tournaments to raise funds.
It is safe to say that Forsberg was one of the best players to play in the NHL during the mid-90s and if it was not for his style of play and reoccurring injuries, he could have planted himself in the top twenty for all-time scorers. Forsberg definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He finished with 708 games played, 249 goals, 636 assists, and 885 points. Prior to his 2010-11 comeback, he had never had a minus season, with a plus 242 in his career. The last two games he went -4, so he is now plus 238.
Congratulations on your induction, Peter Forsberg. Your career was definitely one of the best to watch.
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