Jesper Fast
Swedish right winger drafted by Rangers, played for HV71.
Jesper Fast (born 2 December 1991) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey right winger. A native of Nässjö, he changed his surname to "Fast" in 2012. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2010 NHL entry draft and joined the Rangers organization in 2013.
Fast began his career in Sweden with HV71’s junior teams. After two seasons in the J20 SuperElit—where he led his team in goals during his final season—he made his Swedish Hockey League debut in 2009–10, playing two games without a point. He joined HV71 full-time in 2010–11, recording 16 points in 36 games and crediting linemate Johan Davidsson for his development. The following season, he matched his career high with 16 points in just 21 games before a fractured ankle sidelined him for three months. In December 2011, he signed a two-year contract extension with HV71 worth 5 million krona annually.
In 2012–13, Fast tied for the team lead in goals with 18 and ranked third in points with 35 in 47 games. He earned the Rinkens riddare award, given by Swedish hockey journalists to the most sportsmanlike player, and was voted HV71’s favorite player of the year by readers of Jnytt.
Internationally, Fast represented Sweden at the 2011 World Junior Championships.
After HV71’s early playoff exit in 2013, the Swedish Hockey League agreed to loan Fast to the Rangers. He practiced with New York on 2 April 2013 but did not play for the club that season. He made his North American professional debut on 5 April 2013 with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL, scoring a power-play goal and being named the Third Star of the Game, though a knee injury ended his AHL season after that single game. He attended Rangers training camp ahead of the 2013–14 season.
- Born
- 2 December 1991
- Birthplace
- Nässjö, Sweden
- Position
- Right winger
- Drafted
- 2010, round 6 (157th overall) by New York Rangers
- Shl team
- HV71
- Nhl debut
- 3 October 2013 (New York Rangers vs. Phoenix Coyotes)
Lore & Background
Jesper Fast began his hockey career with HV71's U18 team in Sweden's J20 SuperElit junior league. He debuted in the 2007–08 season, tallying 26 points in 30 games. In 2009–10, he recorded 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists), leading his team in goals and tying for fifth in the overall league for regular season points. Fast made his Swedish Hockey League debut that same season, playing two games with HV71 without recording a point. He permanently joined the SHL in the 2010–11 season, scoring 16 points in 36 games as an 18-year-old. Fast credited playing alongside Johan Davidsson for his success. In 2011–12, he had a career-high four assists and five points against AIK on 4 October, but his season was cut short by a fractured ankle suffered on 29 November. He still matched his SHL career high in points with 16 in 21 games. Fast signed a two-year contract extension with HV71 in December 2011, which included a 900 percent raise to 5 million krona annually. In 2012–13, he finished the regular season with 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in 47 games, tying for HV71's lead in goals. He was awarded the Rinkens riddare (Knight of the Rink) for most sportsmanlike player and was voted favorite HV71 player of the year by readers of Jnytt.
Reader's Guide
Jesper Fast's significance lies in his transition from Swedish junior and SHL hockey to the NHL, representing a late-round draft pick who developed into a professional player. Drafted 157th overall by the New York Rangers in 2010, Fast signed a two-way, three-year entry-level contract in May 2012. After HV71's early playoff exit in 2013, he joined the Rangers organization, making his North American professional debut with the Connecticut Whale on 5 April 2013, scoring a power play goal. He made the Rangers' roster for the 2013–14 season, partially due to an injury to captain Ryan Callahan, and made his NHL debut on 3 October 2013 against the Phoenix Coyotes. Fast spent most of that season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he recorded 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 48 games, led the team in power play goals (8), and tied for first in game-winning goals (6). His career illustrates the path of a Swedish player adapting to North American ice, overcoming injuries, and contributing as a depth forward. Fast also played for Sweden at the 2011 World Junior Championships.
Did You Know?
- Jesper Fast changed his last name to 'Fast' in 2012.
- Fast scored a goal in the first seven seconds of a period on 24 January 2014, setting a Hartford Wolf Pack team record.
- He was drafted by the New York Rangers using a pick obtained from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Bobby Sanguinetti.
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