Andreas Karlsson

Andreas Karlsson (born August 19,1975 in Ludvika, Sweden) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player, currently with Frölunda HC in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.

Playing career
Karlsson is a good skater and playmaker with good technical skills. During the season 2005–06 he also showed that he is an efficient goal scorer. He is sometimes called "Pastorn", which is Swedish for "The Pastor".

He played his first international game with Team Sweden on December 16, 1995, against the Czech Republic in Helsinki, Finland. Karlsson was drafted by Calgary Flames with their 6th pick, 148th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Since then he has played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Orlando Solar Bears, and Chicago Wolves in the U.S..

In 2006, Karlsson signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, as their third line center with both scoring and defensive capabilities. After two seasons, totalling 13 points in 111 regular season games, he returned to his native Sweden and signed a three-year deal with Frölunda HC in Elitserien.

Awards

 * TV-pucken champion with Dalarna in 1990.
 * Baltica Brewery Cup's Best forward in 1998.
 * Calder Cup winner with the Chicago Wolves in 2002.
 * Awarded the Håkan Loob Trophy (Most goals scored in Elitserien) in 2006.
 * Awarded Guldhjälmen (Elitserien's Most Valuable Player) in 2006.
 * Gold medal at the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2006.
 * Named to the Swedish All-Star Team in 2006.

Records

 * Elitserien regular season 2005–06 record for points (55)
 * Elitserien regular season 2005–06 record for goals (26) -- (Shared with Tomi Kallio)

International play
Karlsson has played for Sweden in the following competitions:


 * 1995 World Junior Championships
 * 1996 World Championships
 * 2006 World Championships (gold medal)