Mikkel Bødker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mikkel Bødker
Bødker with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2014
Born	(1989-12-16) 16 December 1989 (age 35) Brøndby, Denmark
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Frölunda HC Arizona Coyotes Lukko Colorado Avalanche San Jose Sharks Ottawa Senators HC Lugano HV71
National team	Denmark
NHL Draft	8th overall, 2008 Phoenix Coyotes
Playing career	2006–2023

Mikkel Bødker (born December 16, 1989) is a former professional ice hockey player from Denmark. He played as a right winger. He was chosen very early in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. This made him the highest-drafted Danish player ever! He even appeared on the cover of the video game NHL 10 in Denmark and Norway.

Playing Career

Mikkel grew up playing hockey in a great youth program in Rødovre, Denmark. When he was 15, in 2005, he moved to Sweden to play for the Frölunda HC junior team. He had an amazing season in 2006–07, scoring 49 points (19 goals and 30 assists) in 39 games. His team won the national junior championships. Mikkel also played his first games with the main men's team in the Swedish Hockey League.

After that season, Mikkel was picked by the Kitchener Rangers in a special draft for players from other countries. He joined them for the 2007–08 season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in Canada. He had a very good first season, scoring 29 goals and 44 assists for 73 points in 62 games. He did even better in the playoffs, getting 35 points in 20 games. He helped the Rangers win the OHL championship.

Joining the NHL

Mikkel Bødker was selected 8th overall by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Arizona Coyotes in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first game for the Coyotes in the 2008–09 NHL season. He scored his first NHL goal on October 12, 2008. Mikkel also played in the NHL YoungStars Game in 2009.

In the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Mikkel played very well. He scored two goals in a row that won the game in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Coyotes had their best playoff run ever, reaching the Western Conference Finals. They eventually lost to the Los Angeles Kings. Mikkel scored four goals and four assists during this playoff run.

Playing Overseas and Back to NHL

Because of a player lockout in the NHL in 2012, Mikkel went to play in Finland. He signed with Lukko in the Finnish League. When the NHL season started again, he returned to the Coyotes.

In the 2013–14 NHL season, Mikkel had his best year yet. He scored 19 goals, 32 assists, and 51 points in 82 games. On October 15, 2014, Mikkel scored his first ever NHL hat-trick (three goals in one game) against the Edmonton Oilers. He helped the Coyotes win 7–4. He finished that season with 14 goals and 28 points. His season ended early because he had surgery to remove his spleen.

Moving to New Teams

In February 2016, Mikkel was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. He had been playing very well for the Coyotes. He was fifth in team goals and third in points when he was traded. He added four goals and 12 points with the Avalanche.

After that, Mikkel became a free agent. He signed a four-year contract with the San Jose Sharks in July 2016. In the 2016–17 NHL season, he scored another hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers. In the 2017–18 NHL season, he scored two goals to help the Sharks beat the Dallas Stars.

In June 2018, Mikkel was traded again, this time to the Ottawa Senators. He played fewer games in Ottawa. In the 2019–20 NHL season, his last season with the Senators, he played only 20 games. The season ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Later Career and Retirement

In May 2020, Mikkel signed a two-year deal with HC Lugano in Switzerland. He then signed a one-year contract with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League in June 2022. Mikkel Bødker announced he was retiring from professional ice hockey on May 23, 2023.

International Play

Mikkel's older brother, Mads Bødker, also played ice hockey. He was a defenceman for the Danish national team. The two brothers played together on the Danish junior national team in 2007. They helped Denmark get promoted to the top division for the first time. Mikkel scored one goal in five games, even though he was playing against opponents up to two years older.

Mikkel also played for Denmark at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He was second in scoring for his team, with two goals and four assists in six games. He has represented Denmark many times in international tournaments, including the World Ice Hockey Championships and the Olympic Games.

Images for kids

• 

  Bødker pictured during his time with the Colorado Avalanche

• 

  Bødker playing for Lukko in 2012