Anders Eriksson

Lore & Background

Eriksson was drafted 22nd overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft by the Detroit Red Wings. In his NHL career, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, and New York Rangers. He also played for the St. John's Maple Leafs, Syracuse Crunch, Springfield Falcons, Quad City Flames, San Antonio Rampage, and Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. In 1999 the Red Wings sent Eriksson and two first round draft picks to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Chris Chelios. After a two-year absence from the NHL, he re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on 2 July 2006, for a one-year deal. He then signed with the Calgary Flames, his second time signing with them (he signed a contract in 2004 but never played due to the NHL lockout, instead playing for HV71 in the Swedish Elite League). On 26 June 2008, Calgary placed him on waivers. After being placed on waivers again during training camp and not being picked up, he was sent to the Quad City Flames. He was recalled by the Flames for the beginning of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, appearing in their first game and game six. Without an NHL club to start the 2009-10 season, he signed with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL on 4 December 2009. After eight games, he was signed by the Phoenix Coyotes on 21 December 2009, playing his first game the same day. On 3 March 2010 he was traded from the Coyotes to the New York Rangers for Miika Wiikman and a 2011 7th round pick. He was initially assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, then recalled and made his Rangers debut on 27 March 2010. On 27 September 2010, he was invited to the New York Islanders' training camp on a tryout basis, but was released on 4 October 2010. In November 2010, he signed a short-term contract for Timrå IK of the Swedish Elitserien, playing six games, before returning to Modo Hockey on 19 December 2010.

In Their Own Story

The Coliseum was half-empty, the kind of Tuesday in February where the cold crept in through the gaps in the old building and the ice had that pale, tired sheen. Eriksson skated his usual shift, collecting a loose puck along the blue line and turning it into a quiet, two-tap pass that set up a chance he'd never be credited for in the box score. The crowd barely stirred. But on the bench, the coach gave a single, slow nod — the kind of acknowledgment that meant *that's the job, that's the game*. Eriksson skated back to his corner, breathed through his mouth, and waited for the next face-off. No one in the stands would remember the play. But the team would, and that was enough.

Reader's Guide

Anders Eriksson is a Swedish defenseman (not a forward) who played for eight NHL teams. He was never a member of the New York Islanders organization during the 1970s; his only connection to the Islanders was a training camp tryout in 2010, from which he was released.

Did You Know?

• Anders Eriksson has represented more NHL teams (8) than any other Swedish hockey player.
• He was a Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings in 1998.
• He was named Best Defenseman at TV-pucken in 1990.
• He was named to the World Junior Championships All Star Team in 1995.
• He was named Swedish Rookie of the Year in 1995.