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Pontus Åberg
Born September 23, 1993,
Stockholm
Height
Weight
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
194 lb (88 kg; 13 st 12 lb)
Position Left/Right winger
Shoots Right
KHL team
F. teams
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Elitserien
Djurgårdens IF
HockeyAllsvenskan
Djurgårdens IF
SHL
Färjestad BK
AHL
Milwaukee Admirals
San Diego Gulls
Toronto Marlies
NHL
Nashville Predators
Edmonton Oilers
Anaheim Ducks
Minnesota Wild
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ntl. team Flag of Sweden Sweden
NHL Draft 37th overall, 2012
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2008–present

Pontus Åberg;[1] 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.

Club career[]

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.[2] Åberg extended his contract with the Djurgårdens IF to the 2013–14 season in May 2011.[3] 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.[4][5] He scored the game-winning goal in the shootouts against Färjestad BK on September 29, 2011.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

NHL[]

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.[9] During his time with the Predators', he was given the nickname "The Pope".[10]

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.[11] He made his Oilers debut on February 27 against the San Jose Sharks.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] He made his debut with the Ducks in an opening night 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on October 3, 2018.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]

International career[]

Åberg represented Sweden at the 2010 World U17 Hockey Challenge.

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Djurgårdens IF J20 11 0 1 1 4
2010–11 Djurgårdens IF J20 41 13 17 30 16 4 2 3 5 2
2010–11 Djurgårdens IF SEL 1 0 0 0 0
2011–12 Djurgårdens IF SEL 47 8 7 15 6
2012–13 Djurgårdens IF Allsv 52 12 28 40 6 6 3 1 4 2
2013–14 Färjestad BK SHL 52 15 16 31 41 13 2 2 4 4
2014–15 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 69 16 18 34 28
2015–16 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 74 25 15 40 32 3 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 2 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 56 31 21 52 40
2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 15 1 1 2 4 16 2 3 5 2
2017–18 Nashville Predators NHL 37 2 6 8 8
2017–18 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 4 4 2 6 16
2017–18 Edmonton Oilers NHL 16 2 6 8 2
2018–19 Anaheim Ducks NHL 37 11 8 19 14
2018–19 San Diego Gulls AHL 2 1 1 2 4
2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 22 1 5 6 6
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 55 20 24 44 36
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 5 0 1 1 0
SHL totals 100 23 23 46 47 13 2 2 4 4
NHL totals 132 17 27 44 34 18 2 3 5 2

International[]

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2010 Sweden U17 Bronze medal icon 6 2 0 2 4
Junior totals 6 2 0 2 4

References[]

  1. National Hockey League 2017–18 Pronunciation Guide. Retrieved 18 December 2018
  2. Uhlin, Daniel (18 September 2010). Tung eftermiddag i Örnsköldsvik (Swedish). difhockey.se. Djurgårdens IF Hockey. Retrieved on 6 September 2011.
  3. Juniortrio förlänger med DIF (Swedish). difhockey.se. Djurgårdens IF Hockey. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved on 6 September 2011.
  4. Runemo, Staffan. "Liv hyllades när HV71 förlorade", Dagens Nyheter, 15 September 2011. Retrieved on 15 September 2011. (Swedish) 
  5. Peterson, Jimmy (15 September 2011). Ja, han är sjutton år - Åberg matchvinnare (Swedish). difhockey.se. Djurgårdens IF Hockey. Retrieved on 15 September 2011.
  6. Grefve, Daniel. "Sämsta mästarna", Aftonbladet, 29 September 2011. Retrieved on 29 September 2011. (Swedish) 
  7. Pontus Åberg årets rookiekandidat (Swedish) (1 November 2011).
  8. Åberg moves to Färjestad BK (Swedish). hockeyligan.se (2013-08-19). Retrieved on 2013-08-19.
  9. Predators Sign Pontus Aberg to Two-Year Contract. Nashville Predators (18 July 2017). Retrieved on 25 February 2018.
  10. "JONES: Oilers lose another strong presence in the locker room", 25 February 2018. Retrieved on 20 March 2018. 
  11. BLOG: Oilers acquire Aberg for Letestu. Edmonton Oilers (25 February 2018). Retrieved on 25 February 2018.
  12. "Pontus Aberg makes debut with Edmonton Oilers", The National Post, 27 February 2018. Retrieved on 19 March 2018. 
  13. Evander Kane makes immediate impact in Sharks' win over Oilers (28 February 2018). Retrieved on 20 March 2018.
  14. Ducks claim Aberg off waivers from Oilers. Sportsnet (2018-10-01). Retrieved on 2018-10-01.
  15. Ducks spoil Karlsson's Shark debut with 5-2 victory. ESPN (2018-10-03). Retrieved on 2018-10-03.
  16. Wild acquires Aberg from Ducks (2019-01-16).
  17. Wild announces qualifying offers. Minnesota Wild (25 June 2019). Retrieved on 25 June 2019.
  18. Maple Leafs Announce Free Agent Signings. Toronto Maple Leafs (24 July 2019). Retrieved on 24 July 2019.
  19. "Pontus Aberg becomes a player for Traktor" (in Russian). Traktor Chelyabinsk (13 July 2020). Retrieved on 13 July 2020.
  20. "Maple Leafs trade Kapanen to Pengiuns". The Sports Network (August 25, 2020). Retrieved on August 25, 2020.

External links[]

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