Pontus Åberg

Pontus Åberg (born on September 23, 1993 in Stockholm) is a Swedish professional ice hockey left/right winger currently playing with the Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. He was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 37th overall, by the Nashville Predators.

Junior hockey
Åberg represented team Stockholm 1 at the Rikspucken, a national tournament in Sweden. He played junior hockey with the Djurgårdens IF organisation.

Sweden
He made his Elitserien debut with the Djurgårdens IF during the 2010–11 season, as an extra forward in the second game of the season against Modo Hockey, but did not get any time on the ice. Åberg extended his contract with the Djurgårdens IF to the 2013–14 season in May 2011. Åberg played a total of five games, scoring two points in the 2011 edition of the pre-season tournament European Trophy. Åberg received his first time on the ice in an Elitserien game and also scored his first goal in Elitserien in the league game against HV71 on September 15, 2011. He scored the game-winning goal in the shootouts against Färjestad BK on September 29, 2011.

After a start to the 2011–12 Elitserien season that included getting five goals and three assists in the first fourteen games, Åberg was announced to be the first of four candidates for that season's Elitserien Rookie of the Year.

All in all, Åberg played 6 regular season games and 1 play-off game with the junior team of the Djurgårdens IF and 47 regular season games and 7 Kvalserien SHL games with the Djurgårdens IF of the Elitserien. Djurgårdens IF was relegated to the HockeyAllsvenskan for the next season.

The 2012-13 season was Åberg's last junior season. He played 3 regular season games and 1 play-off game with the junior team of the Djurgårdens IF and 52 regular season games and 6 qualification games with the Djurgårdens IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan.

In the 2013–14 season, Åberg transferred to play for fellow SHL club, Färjestad BK.

Nashville Predators
After signing an entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators of the NHL, he began his first North American season in 2014–15 season playing for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

In the 2015-16 season, Åberg played 74 regular season games and 3 play-off games with the Admirals, but he also made his NHL debut playing 2 play-off games with the Predators.

In the 2016–17 NHL season Åberg appeared in 15 regular season games posting 1 goal and 1 assist with the Predators. In the AHL Åberg was effective potting 31 goals in just 56 games, and he added 21 assists to bring his point total to 52 with the Admirals.

After Ryan Johansen went down in Game 4 of the WCF he was announced to be out for the remainder of the playoffs, and with Predators captain Mike Fisher being sidelined as well, the Predators called upon Sissons and Åberg to help carry the offensive load. In game 5 Åberg scored the game-winning goal in Anaheim in a 3–1 win to give the Predators a 3–2 series lead. In Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena, Åberg assisted 2 of Sissons' 3 goals to help the Predators advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals. Åberg played 16 play-off games in this season in total.

On July 18, 2017, the Predators re-signed Aberg to a two-year, $1.3 million contract worth $650,000 annually. During his time with the Predators', he was given the nickname "The Pope".

During the 2017-18 season, Åberg played 37 games with the Predators and 4 games with the Admirals.

Edmonton Oilers
In the 2017–18 season, at the NHL trade deadline on February 25, 2018, Åberg was dealt by the Predators to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Mark Letestu. He made his Oilers debut on February 27 against the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first point as an Oiler in his debut with an assist on a goal from Jesse Puljujärvi, in a 5–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. In remaining with the Oilers to play out the season, Åberg contributed with 2 goals and 8 points in 16 games. All in all, he played 16 games with the Oilers.

Anaheim Ducks
After attending the Oilers 2018 training camp, Åberg was unable to retain his roster spot approaching the 2018–19 season. On October 1, 2018, he was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. He made his debut with the Ducks in an opening night 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on October 3, 2018. After a two-game stint with AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, Åberg returned to the Ducks scoring two goals in consecutive games on October 28 and October 30 against the Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers. Through 37 games with the Ducks, Åberg had already eclipsed career highs offensively, placing second on the team with 11 goals and recording 19 points before he was relegated as a healthy scratch through a franchise record losing streak.

Minnesota Wild
On January 16, 2019, Åberg's tenure with the Ducks ended as he was dealt to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Kloos. Åberg was unable to replicate his offensive pace with the Wild, remaining on the roster through the conclusion of the regular season to post 1 goal and 6 points in 22 games.

On June 25, 2019, Åberg was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs
On July 24, 2019, Åberg signed as a free agent to a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the 2019–20 season, Åberg was primarily assigned to AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He was productive with the Marlies, registering 20 goals and 44 points in 55 games, while making just 5 appearances with the Maple Leafs adding 1 assist. With the remainder of the AHL season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Åberg as an impending restricted free agent returned to his native Sweden.

KHL
Left off the Maple Leafs return to play training camp roster, Åberg effectively left the NHL by signing a one-year contract with Russian club, Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL on July 13, 2020. On August 25, 2020, Åberg's NHL rights were included in a six player trade by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, David Warsofsky, Filip Hållander and the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

International career
Åberg represented Sweden at the 2010 World U17 Hockey Challenge.