Pentti Lund

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Pentti Alexander Lund (b. December 6, 1925 in Karijoki, Finland) was a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who played for the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He was also the recipient of the Calder Trophy in 1949. Lund is credited as being the first Finnish player in the National Hockey League. Lund moved to Canada from Finland at the age of six.

[edit] Junior career

Lund began his junior career with the Port Arthur Bruins and the Port Arthur Navy team from 1942 to 1945. Lund lead the league in scoring during his two seasons with the Navy team, where, in 19 regular season games, he scored an impressive 47 goals.

[edit] Professional career

Lund would turn pro in 1945-46 with the Boston Olympics of the EAHL, again, leading the league in scoring.

In 1947-48, Lund joined the Hershey Bears in the AHL where his excellent play was rewarded with two playoff game appearances with the Boston Bruins, thus becoming the first Finnish-born forward to play in the NHL. During the off-season, Lund was traded to the New York Rangers, where he won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year by scoring 14 goals and adding 16 assists in 59 games.

Lund was traded back to Boston in 1951 where he would end his professional career after an eye-injury from a high-stick on November 13, during the 13th game of the season, with Lund skating with number 13 on his jersey. Lund attempted a comeback after being sidelined for three-months, contributing 17 points with only one eye the following season.

Lund would skate for two seasons with an amateur club in Sault Ste. Marie before retiring from hockey in 1955.

On September 29, 1984. Lund was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and 8 years later, in 1992, inducted into the Finnish Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

Preceded by Jim McFadden

Winner of the Calder Trophy 1949

Succeeded by Jack Gelineau