Niklas Hjalmarsson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niklas Hjalmarsson |
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Hjalmarsson with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2014
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| Born | 6 June 1987 Eksjö, Sweden |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | HV71 Chicago Blackhawks HC Bolzano Arizona Coyotes |
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| National team |  Sweden |
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| NHL Draft | 108th overall, 2005 Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Playing career | 2004–2023 | ||
Niklas Hjalmarsson (born 6 June 1987) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player. He was a defence player known for his strong defensive skills. He played for teams like HV71 in Sweden, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Niklas Hjalmarsson was picked by the Blackhawks in the 2005 NHL Draft. He became a very important player for them. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times: in 2010, 2013, and 2015. He also won a silver Olympic medal with the Swedish national team at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
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Playing Career Highlights
Joining the Chicago Blackhawks
Niklas Hjalmarsson was chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2005 NHL Draft. He was the 108th player picked overall. Before joining the NHL, he played professionally in Sweden for three years with HV71.
In the 2007–08 season, Niklas played his first games in North America. He spent most of that season with the Rockford IceHogs, which is the Blackhawks' minor league team. But he soon earned a regular spot on the Blackhawks' main roster. He scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings.
Winning the Stanley Cups
Niklas Hjalmarsson became a key player for the Blackhawks. In the 2009–10 season, he played in 77 regular season games and all 22 playoff games. He was known for his strong defensive play. During the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, he took a powerful shot that was redirected by his teammate Andrew Ladd. This goal helped the Blackhawks win Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, and they went on to win the Stanley Cup!
After the 2010 season, another team, the San Jose Sharks, tried to sign Hjalmarsson. But the Blackhawks decided to keep him because he was such a valuable player.
During a break in the NHL season in 2012–13, Niklas played hockey in Italy for HC Bolzano.
He was also a big part of the Blackhawks' second Stanley Cup win in 2013. In a very important playoff game against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored a goal that was unfortunately disallowed. But his team still won that game and later went on to win the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again in 2015. This made Niklas Hjalmarsson one of only seven players to win the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Time with the Arizona Coyotes and Retirement
After playing 10 seasons with the Blackhawks, Niklas Hjalmarsson moved to the Arizona Coyotes in 2017. He was named an alternate captain for the Coyotes. He played several seasons with them before announcing his retirement from professional hockey in July 2021.
Coming Back to HV71
After being retired for one season, Niklas Hjalmarsson decided to play hockey again! He rejoined his old team, HV71, in Sweden in November 2022. He played for one more season before retiring again after the 2022–23 season.
International Achievements
Niklas Hjalmarsson also played for the Swedish national team in several big tournaments.
- He won a bronze medal at the 2005 IIHF World U18 Championships.
- He won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
- He also played in the 2012 Ice Hockey World Championship and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's ice hockey | ||
Representing  Sweden |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 2014 Sochi | |
| IIHF World U18 Championship | ||
| Bronze | 2005 Plzen | |
See also
- List of NHL players who have signed offer sheets
