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Eric Nystrom

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Eric Nystrom
Upper body of a hockey player who is wearing a white uniform with "DALLAS 24" on his chest. He is leaning against another player's stick as he anticipates a faceoff.
Nystrom with theNashville Predatorsin 2014
Born (1983-02-14)February 14, 1983(age 41)
Syosset,New York,U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 193 lb (88 kg; 13 st 11 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Calgary Flames
Minnesota Wild
Dallas Stars
Stavanger Oilers
Nashville Predators
National team United States
NHL draft 10th overall,2002
Calgary Flames
Playing career 2005–2016

Eric Thore Nystrom(born February 14, 1983) is an American former professionalice hockeyplayer. He was a first round selection of theCalgary Flames,taken 10th overall in the2002 NHL Entry Draft,and made his NHL debut with Calgary in 2005. Nystrom has also played for theMinnesota Wild,Dallas StarsandNashville Predators.He played four seasons of college hockey with theMichigan Wolverinesbefore he turned professional. On four occasions, Nystrom has played with theUnited States national team,most recently at the2010 World Championship.He is the son of former NHL playerBob Nystrom.

Early life[edit]

Nystrom was born and raised inSyosset, New York,where his father,Bob,was an NHL player for theNew York Islanders.[1]Bob, who was himself born in Sweden but grew up inHinton, Alberta,won four consecutiveStanley Cupsbetween 1980 and 1983.[2]Bob coached his son during his formative years in hockey.[1]Nystrom is Jewish[3]as is his mother.[4][5]He attended high school atPortledge Schoolin Locust Valley, New York.[1]He has an older sister, Marissa.[6]

Nystrom grew up playing several sports, includingsoccerandbaseball,and only seriously considered a hockey career in his mid-teens.[7]He played in the 1997Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournamentwith the New York Islandersminor ice hockeyteam.[8]

While Eric was regarded as an NHL prospect himself, his father encouraged him to seek an education first, which the younger Nystrom did upon earning a scholarship to play for theUniversity of MichiganWolverinesin 2000.[9]He spent four years at Michigan where he earned a degree in liberal arts.[7]

Playing career[edit]

Junior and college[edit]

Nystrom established a hard-working style similar to his father's, which helped earn him an invite to play with theUS National Development Program(USDP).[9]He played 55 games for USDP in theNorth American Hockey Leaguein 1999–2000, scoring seven goals and 23 points.[10]He split the 2000–01 season with the national under-18 program and the junior team in theUnited States Hockey League,also representing theUnited Statesat the2001 IIHF World U18 Championships.[10]He later represented the United States at the2002and2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[11]

He moved onto theUniversity of Michigan,earning a place on theCentral Collegiate Hockey Association(CCHA) All-Rookie team in 2002 after scoring 18 goals and 31 points.[12]On the strength of that season, theCalgary Flamesselected him with their first pick, 10th overall, at the2002 NHL Entry Draft.[13]Before turning professional, Nystrom completed his final three seasons of college eligibility, finishing with 111 points in 160 career games, and serving as the Wolverines' captain in his senior year of 2004–05.[14]

Calgary Flames[edit]

A hockey player stands and looks to his right during a pre-game warm up. He is wearing a red uniform with white and yellow bands at the waist and elbows, and a stylized "C" logo on his chest.
Nystrom with theFlamesin 2009

Upon turning professional in 2005, Nystrom was assigned to theOmaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knightsof theAmerican Hockey League(AHL). He was recalled by the Flames at the start of the2005–06 seasonand made his NHL debut against theColorado Avalancheon October 10, 2005.[14]He played two games with the Flames before being returned to the AHL to complete the season.[10]Nystrom missed most of the 2006–07 after suffering a tear in his right shoulder during a pre-season game. He attempted to rehab the injury and then play, before opting on surgery. The injury limited Nystrom to just 12 regular season games for Omaha, but he returned in time to play five playoff games for the Knights.[15]

Nystrom split the2007–08 seasonbetween the Calgary and theQuad City Flames.He appeared in 44 regular season games for Calgary, and scored his first NHL goal on October 30, 2007, against theNashville Predators.[14]He scored a career-high four points, two goals and two assists, in the Flames final game of the regular season, a 7–1 victory over theVancouver Canucks.[16]Following the season, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Flames.[17]

Nystrom played his first full NHL season with the Flames in2008–09,playing in 76 games and scoring five goals, three of them game-winning. He added a fourth game-winning goal in the2009 Stanley Cup Playoffsagainst theChicago Blackhawks.[14]He more than doubled his career high in2009–10,scoring 11 goals despite struggling through a groin injury for a large part of the season. He was invited to play with the American team at the2010 IIHF World Championships.[18]

Minnesota and Dallas[edit]

Nystrom battles for position against an opposing player.
Nystrom with the Dallas Stars

Nystrom chose to leave Calgary as afree agent,signing a three-year, $4.2 million contract with theMinnesota Wildon July 1, 2010.[19]He scored four goals and eight assists in his first season with the Wild,[10]a season which Nystrom admitted was not good, and "snowballed negatively" for him.[20]The2011–12 seasonposed early challenges for Nystrom. In a pre-season game against theEdmonton Oilers,his attempt to avoid anicingcall resulted in his stick getting caught up in the skates of Edmonton'sTaylor Fedun,sending the latter player crashing into the boards at high speed. Fedun suffered a broken leg and the play renewed calls for the NHL to move to no-touch icing to avoid similar incidents in the future.[21]He waswaivedby Minnesota prior to the season's start, but went unclaimed by any other team and was demoted to the AHL'sHouston Aeros,with whom he appeared in one game.[22]

On October 12, 2011, the Wild dealt him to theDallas Stars.Minnesota had to place him through re-entry waivers first, and while Dallas could have claimed him at that point and been responsible for only half of his $1.4 million salary, they took on his full salary via trade so as to meet the league's minimum payroll rules.[22]Dallas general managerJoe Nieuwendykpraised Nystrom as being an effective penalty killer who would add depth to his team.[23]Though he was anticipated to play in a defensive checking role, Nystrom added an offensive touch for Dallas, scoring 10 goals in his first 21 games with the team.[24]His 12th goal of the season set a new career high,[20]and he finished the year with 16.[25]

Due to the2012–13 NHL lockout,Nystrom signed withStavanger Oilerslate November and made his debut in the NorwegianGET-ligaenin a match againstVålerengaon December 20. Nystrom had four goals and three assists in his first game.[26]He played only six games with the team, but recorded 14 points. Returning to the NHL once the lockout was resolved, Nystrom scored 11 points in 48 games with Dallas.[27]

Nashville Predators[edit]

Nystrom left the Stars as a free agent following the2012–13 NHL seasonand signed a four-year deal with theNashville Predatorsworth $10 million.[28]He recorded the firsthat trickof his NHL career on January 24, 2014, against the Calgary Flames and finished with a franchise record four goals. The Predators lost the game, however, 5–4 in ashootout.[29][30]

On June 29, 2016, Nystrom's three-year tenure with the Predators was brought to an end, as he was placed on waivers for the intent to buy out the remaining year of his contract.[31]As a free agent, Nystrom was unable to attain an NHL contract opting to attend the St. Louis Blues training camp on a professional try-out offer on September 8, 2016.[32]

Off the ice[edit]

Nystrom has frequently involved himself with charitable endeavors throughout his career. While with Quad City, he performed an on-ice striptease that mimicked the one performed by the character Ned Braden in the movieSlap Shotas part of a team jersey auction. The event raised $30,000.[33]He served as a player ambassador for theReading... Give it a Shot!program as a member of the Flames and visited local schools as part of the team's campaign to increase literacy among students.[34]Nystrom is active withGarth Brooks' Teammates for Kids Foundation.[35]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 New York Apple Core EJHL — — — — — — — — — —
1999–00 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 55 7 16 23 57 3 0 0 0 0
2000–01 U.S. NTDP Juniors USHL 23 5 5 10 50 — — — — —
2000–01 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 43 10 12 22 52 — — — — —
2001–02 University of Michigan CCHA 39 18 12 30 36 — — — — —
2002–03 University of Michigan CCHA 39 15 11 26 24 — — — — —
2003–04 University of Michigan CCHA 43 10 12 22 50 — — — — —
2004–05 University of Michigan CCHA 38 13 19 32 33 — — — — —
2005–06 Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights AHL 78 15 18 33 37 — — — — —
2005–06 Calgary Flames NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2006–07 Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights AHL 12 2 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Calgary Flames NHL 44 3 7 10 48 7 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Quad City Flames AHL 18 4 3 7 15 — — — — —
2008–09 Calgary Flames NHL 76 5 5 10 89 6 2 2 4 0
2009–10 Calgary Flames NHL 82 11 8 19 54 — — — — —
2010–11 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 4 8 12 30 — — — — —
2011–12 Houston Aeros AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Dallas Stars NHL 74 16 5 21 24 — — — — —
2012–13 Stavanger Oilers GET 6 4 10 14 6 — — — — —
2012–13 Dallas Stars NHL 48 7 4 11 61 — — — — —
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 79 15 6 21 60 — — — — —
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 60 7 5 12 15 — — — — —
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 47 7 0 7 20 1 0 0 0 2
2015–16 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Stavanger Oilers GET 8 1 3 4 8 14 4 8 12 55
NHL totals 593 75 48 123 401 14 2 2 4 2

International[edit]

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2000 United States U17 4th 6 1 1 2 0
2001 United States WJC18 6th 6 3 3 6 6
2002 United States WJC 5th 7 0 0 0 0
2003 United States WJC 4th 7 1 2 3 2
2010 United States WC 13th 6 0 0 0 4
Junior totals 26 5 6 11 8
Senior totals 6 0 0 0 4

Awards and honors[edit]

Award Year
All-CCHARookie Team 2001–02 [12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcManley, Brendan (July 28, 2010)."Nystrom just can't get a decent bagel in Minnesota".Syosset Patch.RetrievedMarch 27,2012.
  2. ^"Bob Nystrom player profile".Hockey Hall of Fame.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  3. ^"Professional Hockey Review: 2010–11; National Hockey League".Jewish Sports Review.8(87): 7. September–October 2011.
  4. ^"Jews (and Mel) on the big screen, Winter sports roundup".J.Jweekly.com. January 21, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 7,2011.
  5. ^Bob Wechsler (2008).Day by day in Jewish sports history.KTAV Publishing House, Inc.ISBN978-1-60280-013-7.RetrievedJanuary 30,2011.
  6. ^Lapointe, Joe (June 22, 2002)."Another Nystrom seeks shot at Cup".New York Times.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  7. ^abBoard, Mike (October 3, 2008)."Nystrom making father proud".Calgary Flames Hockey Club.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  8. ^"Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA"(PDF).Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.2018. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 6, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 11,2019.
  9. ^abAllen, Kevin (November 22, 2000). "Nystrom takes father's game to another level".USA Today.p. C.04.
  10. ^abcd"Eric Nystrom player profile".Hockey Hall of Fame.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  11. ^"Helminen, Nystrom named to U.S. National Junior Team".University of Michigan. December 4, 2002.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  12. ^ab"Three Wolverines in scouting service's final ranking".University of Michigan. April 26, 2002.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  13. ^Lefebvre, Jean (June 23, 2002)."Here comes the son".CNN/SI.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  14. ^abcdHanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean (2009).2009–10 Calgary Flames Media Guide(PDF).Calgary Flames Hockey Club. p. 83.
  15. ^MacFarlane, Steve (September 7, 2007)."Nystrom hungry to shoulder the load".Calgary Sun.Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^"Iginla nets 50th goal of year, two assists as Flames roll in regular season finale".ESPN. April 5, 2008.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  17. ^Lefebvre, Jean (June 28, 2008)."Nystrom's back and ready for more ice time".Calgary Herald.Archived fromthe originalon July 24, 2011.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  18. ^Busby, Ian (April 14, 2010)."Nystrom not aiming for the Isles".Toronto Sun.RetrievedJuly 1,2010.
  19. ^Andreson, Glen (July 1, 2010)."Wild signs LW Eric Nystrom".Minnesota Wild Hockey Club.RetrievedJuly 1,2010.
  20. ^abHunt, Steve (January 31, 2012)."Career High in Goals Just Starting Point for Nystrom".Dallas Stars Hockey Club.RetrievedMarch 23,2012.
  21. ^"Taylor Fedun breaks leg".ESPN. October 1, 2011.RetrievedMarch 27,2012.
  22. ^abBrehm, Mike (October 12, 2011)."Stars trade for Eric Nystrom".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 27,2012.
  23. ^"Stars acquire forward Nystrom from Wild".The Sports Network. October 12, 2011.RetrievedMarch 27,2012.
  24. ^Staple, Arthur (December 3, 2011)."Eric Nystrom finding a place with Stars".Newsday.RetrievedMarch 27,2012.
  25. ^"Eric Nystrom profile".National Hockey League.RetrievedApril 9,2012.
  26. ^"Pointstreak: Eric Nystrom Player Page for Stavanger Oilers".RetrievedJanuary 14,2013.
  27. ^"Eric Nystrom player card".National Hockey League.RetrievedMay 17,2012.
  28. ^Cooper, Josh (July 5, 2013)."Nashville Predators sign four forwards as free agency begins".The Tennessean.RetrievedJuly 5,2013.
  29. ^"Flames rally over Predators, Eric Nystrom's 4 goals".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.January 25, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 25,2014.
  30. ^Wilson, Kevin, ed. (2013).2013–14 Nashville Predators Media Guide.Nashville Predators Hockey Club. p. 257.
  31. ^"Predators waive Eric Nystrom".The Tennessean.June 29, 2016.RetrievedJune 29,2016.
  32. ^James Mirtle (September 8, 2016)."More players offered PTO's".Twitter.RetrievedSeptember 8,2016.
  33. ^Cruickshank, Scott (March 1, 2008)."Nystrom striptease scores for charity".Calgary Herald.Archived fromthe originalon July 24, 2011.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  34. ^"Player programs and initiatives".Calgary Flames Hockey Club. Archived fromthe originalon January 21, 2011.RetrievedDecember 13,2009.
  35. ^Sickman, Aaron, ed. (2011).2011–12 Minnesota Wild Official Team Guide.Minnesota Wild Hockey Club. p. 71.

External links[edit]

Preceded by CCHA Best Defensive Forward
2004–05 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Calgary Flames first round draft pick
2002 		Succeeded by
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