Johan Hedberg

Johan Hedberg
File:Johan Hedberg.jpg
Born	(1973-05-05) May 5, 1973 Leksand, SWE
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	Atlanta Thrashers NHL  Pittsburgh Penguins  Vancouver Canucks  Dallas Stars SEL  Leksands IF
NHL draft	218th overall, 1994 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1993–present

Johan "Moose" Hedberg (born May 5, 1973, in Leksand, Sweden) is a professional hockey goaltender currently with the Atlanta Thrashers of National Hockey League.

Playing career

Hedberg was drafted in the ninth round, 218th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Before signing in Atlanta in 2006, Hedberg played for the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has also played for other clubs: Leksands IF (Sweden), Baton Rouge Kingfish (ECHL), Detroit Vipers (IHL), Manitoba Moose (IHL/AHL), Kentucky Thoroughblades (AHL)

Hedberg's nickname is "Moose" or rarely but more preferably "Jo-Jo", pronounced yo-yo. When he played for Pittsburgh, the home crowds would cheer for him after a spectacular save by yelling "Moooooseeee". This was often heard incorrectly as a boo. Fans quickly nicknamed him "Moose" out of necessity - Hedberg started a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and as a result was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet which, not surprisingly, had a large moose painted across it.

On December 26, 2005, Hedberg scored two assists in a game against the St. Louis Blues. This is the first time a Dallas Stars goalie has ever accomplished this feat, and the first time any goalie in the NHL has done it since Patrick Roy on December 29, 2000. One assist came from a pass that met Stars Captain Mike Modano at the Blues' blue line, granting him a 1-on-1 opportunity.

Hedberg signed a two year contract with Atlanta in July 2006, and has since served as backup for starter Kari Lehtonen.

External links

• Johan Hedberg career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database