Robert Nordmark
Encyclopedia
Robert Ingemar Nordmark is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey
player. He was the headcoach for Almtuna IS
in Allsvenskan
(the Swedish second division) in the 2007/2008 season, but he was replaced by Leif Boork
in November 2007 because of poor results. He is currently the European scout of the Edmonton Oilers
.
by the Detroit Red Wings
, after helping Sweden to their first-ever gold medal at the World Junior Championships
in 1981. Despite solid performances in the Swedish Elite League in ensuing years, Nordmark was never signed by the Red Wings and his draft rights lapsed in 1984. After strong performances at the 1986 and 1987 World Championships
, Nordmark was re-drafted 59th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
by the St. Louis Blues.
In 1987–88, Nordmark stepped straight into the Blues' lineup, registering 3 goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 67 games. Following the season, however, he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks
with a draft pick for Dave Richter
. In 1988–89 with the Canucks, he would have a career year, registering 6 goals and 35 assists for 41 points while forming a terrific combination on the points of the powerplay with Paul Reinhart
. He added an excellent playoffs, with 3 goals and 5 points in 7 games.
However, Nordmark would be unable to duplicate his success of 1988–89. In 1989–90, he slumped to just 2 goals and 13 points in 44 games, while his defensive play became increasingly erratic and he became a target for boo-birds at Canuck home games, including famously being jeered after assisting on an overtime winning goal. The 1990–91 season was another disappointment, as he finished with just 8 points in 45 games, and following the year he was released by the Canucks and allowed to return to Sweden.
Nordmark returned to form in the Elitserien
and was a top defender in that league for several more seasons with VIK Västerås HK
and Djurgårdens IF
, earning another invitation to the World Championships in 1995. He would have one of the best seasons of his career in 1995–96, scoring 16 goals and 29 points for Lukko Rauma of the Finnish SM-Liiga
. He would have further stints in Switzerland, Austria, and Britain before retiring in 2001 and moving into coaching. In 2003–04, while coaching Djurgården, he would come out of retirement in an injury crisis and impressively score 7 points in 14 games at the age of 41.
Nordmark finished his NHL career with totals of 13 goals and 70 assists for 83 points in 236 games, along with 254 penalty minutes.
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. He was the headcoach for Almtuna IS
Almtuna IS
Almtuna IS is a Swedish ice hockey club based in Uppsala and is currently playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league of ice hockey in Sweden. Almtuna IS fan club is called "Red Lions"....
in Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan (hockey)
HockeyAllsvenskan, before the 2005–06 season called Allsvenskan and SuperAllsvenskan, is the name of the second highest-level Swedish ice hockey league...
(the Swedish second division) in the 2007/2008 season, but he was replaced by Leif Boork
Leif Boork
Leif Erik Boork is Swedish former ice hockey coach, who was the head coach for Djurgårdens IF, Brynäs IF, Almtuna IS, and Norway's national ice hockey team. He currently works as a color commentator for the TV4 Group...
in November 2007 because of poor results. He is currently the European scout of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
Playing career
Nordmark was originally drafted 191st overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft1981 NHL Entry Draft
The 1981 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The National Hockey League teams selected 211 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1980–81 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players...
by the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, after helping Sweden to their first-ever gold medal at the World Junior Championships
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
in 1981. Despite solid performances in the Swedish Elite League in ensuing years, Nordmark was never signed by the Red Wings and his draft rights lapsed in 1984. After strong performances at the 1986 and 1987 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...
, Nordmark was re-drafted 59th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
1987 NHL Entry Draft
The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1986–87 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players selected.-Selections...
by the St. Louis Blues.
In 1987–88, Nordmark stepped straight into the Blues' lineup, registering 3 goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 67 games. Following the season, however, he was dealt to 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,...
with a draft pick for Dave Richter
Dave Richter
David Richter is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 365 NHL games with the Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, and St. Louis Blues.-External links:...
. In 1988–89 with the Canucks, he would have a career year, registering 6 goals and 35 assists for 41 points while forming a terrific combination on the points of the powerplay with Paul Reinhart
Paul Reinhart
Paul Gerard Reinhart is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.Reinhart was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Flames in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft...
. He added an excellent playoffs, with 3 goals and 5 points in 7 games.
However, Nordmark would be unable to duplicate his success of 1988–89. In 1989–90, he slumped to just 2 goals and 13 points in 44 games, while his defensive play became increasingly erratic and he became a target for boo-birds at Canuck home games, including famously being jeered after assisting on an overtime winning goal. The 1990–91 season was another disappointment, as he finished with just 8 points in 45 games, and following the year he was released by the Canucks and allowed to return to Sweden.
Nordmark returned to form in the Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
and was a top defender in that league for several more seasons with VIK Västerås HK
VIK Västerås HK
VIK Västerås HK is an ice hockey club from Västerås, Sweden. The team is currently playing in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan. Västerås IK has played 12 seasons in the top Swedish league Elitserien .-History:Västerås IK was founded in 1913 and started playing ice hockey in...
and Djurgårdens IF
Djurgårdens IF Hockey
Djurgårdens IF Hockey are a professional ice hockey team based in Stockholm, Sweden. They are the ice hockey department of the sports club Djurgårdens IF. The department was formed in 1922 with the help of Wilhelm Arwe and have since then become Sweden's most successful team, having won the Swedish...
, earning another invitation to the World Championships in 1995. He would have one of the best seasons of his career in 1995–96, scoring 16 goals and 29 points for Lukko Rauma of the Finnish SM-Liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
. He would have further stints in Switzerland, Austria, and Britain before retiring in 2001 and moving into coaching. In 2003–04, while coaching Djurgården, he would come out of retirement in an injury crisis and impressively score 7 points in 14 games at the age of 41.
Nordmark finished his NHL career with totals of 13 goals and 70 assists for 83 points in 236 games, along with 254 penalty minutes.