Johan Hedberg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
Nickname	Moose, Yo-yo
Height Weight	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	Atlanta Thrashers Pittsburgh Penguins Vancouver Canucks Dallas Stars
Nationality	Sweden
Born	May 5, 1973, Leksand, SWE
NHL Draft	218th overall, 1994 Philadelphia Flyers
Pro Career	1999 – present

Johan "Moose" Hedberg (born May 5, 1973, in Leksand, Sweden) is a Swedish professional hockey goaltender with the Atlanta Thrashers in NHL.

[edit] 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 "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, where he will likely serve as cover for starter Kari Lehtonen.