Jonas Frögren

Jonas Frögren (born August 28, 1980) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Playing career
Frögren was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft in the 8th round as the 206th pick overall. Frögren is known for being a strong, solid defenceman. He does not score many points but plays well at his end. He has played recently with the Swedish national team at the 2008 World Championships.

Frögren came to Färjestads BK as a junior in the mid 1990s and has, except for a one-year loan to Bofors IK, played his entire professional career with Färjestads BK. He has played seven seasons with Färjestads BK and has an impressive record, having won two Swedish Championships and four Swedish Championship silver medals. The only year that he did not play in the final of the playoffs 1998–99, when Färjestads BK lost in the quarter-finals against Djurgårdens IF.

On July 9, 2008, Frögren signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. However, the contract Frögren signed was rejected by the NHL due to a dispute over his status. While the League believes he is an entry level player (as he was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1998 but didn't sign with them), the Leafs and Frögren's agent, Don Meehan, believe he is an unrestricted free agent, thus signing him to a contract worth more than the $875,000 limit that is mandated by the NHL for entry level players.

Frögren scored his first NHL goal on December 20, 2008 against Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On April 1, 2009 the NHL came to a decision on the discipline of the handling of Frögren's contract. The Maple Leafs were fined $500,000 for paying Frögren the original contract, which included a $755,000 signing bonus. It is believed that Frögren used approximately $400,000 of his signing bonus to get out of the final year of his contract with Färjestad. The Maple Leafs were also forced to forfeit their 2009 fourth round draft pick (previously acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes via the Tampa Bay Lightning at the NHL trade deadline). Neither Frögren's salary or contractual status was affected by the NHL's decision.

Awards

 * Swedish Champion with Färjestads BK in 2002 and 2006.