Lars Zetterstrom
Encyclopedia
Lars Zetterström is a retired Swedish
professional ice hockey
player who spent many years with Färjestads BK
of the Elitserien
, and also played briefly in the National Hockey League
with the Vancouver Canucks
.
A smooth, mobile defender, Zetterström came up through the junior ranks at Färjestads and became a regular in 1972. He would become one of the club's top defenders, and represented Sweden at the 1977 and 1978 World Championships
, winning a Silver medal in 1977.
In 1978, Zetterström signed as a free agent with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Joining the team along with fellow Swedes Thomas Gradin
and Lars Lindgren
, the trio were the first Europeans to suit up for the club in their history. While Gradin and Lindgren were successful and went on to solid NHL careers, Zetterström struggled. He played in only 14 games for the Canucks, recording one assist and a -10 rating, and spent most of the season in the Central Hockey League with the Dallas Black Hawks
.
Zetterström was claimed by the Quebec Nordiques
in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft
, but returned to Sweden to once again suit up for Färjestads. He would play for them until 1983, helping them to the Swedish Championship in 1981. He then joined the third-division Hammarö HC club, and played for them until retiring in 1987.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who spent many years with Färjestads BK
Färjestads BK
Färjestads Bollklubb is a Swedish professional ice hockey team based in Karlstad. Färjestad has had 18 Swedish Championship final appearances, winning nine times since Elitserien was started in 1975. The team plays in the highest Swedish league, and have done so since 1965...
of the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
, and also played briefly in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
.
A smooth, mobile defender, Zetterström came up through the junior ranks at Färjestads and became a regular in 1972. He would become one of the club's top defenders, and represented Sweden at the 1977 and 1978 World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
, winning a Silver medal in 1977.
In 1978, Zetterström signed as a free agent with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Joining the team along with fellow Swedes Thomas Gradin
Thomas Gradin
Thomas Kjell Gradin was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1978 to 1987. He is best remembered for the 8 seasons he spent with the Vancouver Canucks, and remains one of the top players in that franchise's history.-NHL career:Gradin was already one of the top...
and Lars Lindgren
Lars Lindgren
Lars Sune Lindgren is a retired Swedish ice hockey defenceman and a professional scout with the Vancouver Canucks....
, the trio were the first Europeans to suit up for the club in their history. While Gradin and Lindgren were successful and went on to solid NHL careers, Zetterström struggled. He played in only 14 games for the Canucks, recording one assist and a -10 rating, and spent most of the season in the Central Hockey League with the Dallas Black Hawks
Dallas Black Hawks
The Dallas Black Hawks were a minor-league professional ice hockey team in Dallas, Texas. They were a member of the Central Hockey League and played home games at State Fair Coliseum....
.
Zetterström was claimed by the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft
1979 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1979 NHL Expansion Draft was held on June 13, 1979. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's new teams for the 1979–80 season: the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets...
, but returned to Sweden to once again suit up for Färjestads. He would play for them until 1983, helping them to the Swedish Championship in 1981. He then joined the third-division Hammarö HC club, and played for them until retiring in 1987.