Thomas Gradin's Seamless Move from Sweden to NHL Success

Thomas Gradin, a skilled Swedish forward, was selected in the third round of the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Rather than immediately heading to North America, Gradin chose to continue developing his game with Skellefteå AIK in the Swedish Elite League. 

It wasn't until the Vancouver Canucks acquired his rights prior to the 1978-79 NHL season that he made the jump to the NHL.Transitioning from European hockey to the North American style, especially in the 1970s, was often a tough challenge. But for Gradin, the adjustment appeared effortless.

In his NHL debut on October 11, 1978, at the Pacific Coliseum, Gradin made an instant impact. The Vancouver Canucks dominated the Colorado Rockies with an 8-2 victory. Just 4:14 into the game, Gradin scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Doug Favell, assisted by veteran defenseman Dennis Kearns.

Gradin continued his stellar performance by opening the second period with another goal, this time assisted by Curt Fraser, and later assisted on a Fraser goal. He finished the game with two goals on two shots and one assist, totaling three points in a dream debut.

Two nights later, Gradin proved his performance was no fluke, netting two more goals in an 8-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. After four games, he had already tallied five goals and three assists, averaging two points per game.

Though his torrid scoring pace eventually leveled out, Gradin’s rookie season remained impressive. He finished the year with 20 goals and 51 points, earning a tie for 7th place in Calder Trophy voting alongside Brad Marsh of the Atlanta Flames. Gradin’s early NHL success helped pave the way for more Swedish players to make the leap to the NHL, showing that European talent could thrive on North American ice.

About Thomas Gradin

Along with being drafted by Chicago in the third round of the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft, 45th overall, Thomas Gradin was a first round pick by the Winnipeg Jets that year in the 1976 WHA Amateur Draft. He played for neither. 

Between 1978-79 and 1986-87, Gradin played 677 regular season and 42 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. He reached the 20 goal plateau in his first seven seasons and had a career best 37 with the Canucks in 1981-82.

In that 1981-82 NHL season, Thomas helped Vancouver reach the Stanley Cup final, contributing 19 points in 17 games. Vancouver was finally knocked out by the defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.

5 Over 40 in Men's Hockey at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games

With the exclusion of Joe Thornton, Martin Brodeur and Martin St. Louis, Canada’s roster for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games cannot be called an ‘old boys club’ like in previous years. In fact, the oldest players on the team are Roberto Luongo, Patrick Marleau and Chris Kunitz, all 34 years of age.

However, at the other end of the spectrum, there are five players that will be competing in Men’s Ice Hockey at the Sochi Olympics that are over 40 years old. Two of those players are on the Czech Republic roster.

Jaromir Jagr – Czech Republic (42 on February 15)

The current member of the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League began his pro career in 1988-89 with HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga, a team he now has a 70% ownership stake in. Jagr was the fifth overall pick at the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. If he continues to play into the 2014-15 NHL season, Jaromir will reach the 1,500 regular season game plateau.

Jagr has played in the NHL since 1990-91 with the Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and the Devils. He has also played in the Russia based KHL.

For Jagr, this will be his fifth Olympic Games for the Czech Republic. He competed in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010, appearing in 23 games. Jaromir has also competed in eight IIHF World Championships for his home country between 1990 and 2011, appearing in 60 tournament games.

Petr Nedved – Czech Republic (42)

Nedved’s long NHL career ended after the 2006-07 season but he has continued on in the Czech Republic’s Extraliga since. He is in his sixth year and sixth year as team captain with Bili Tygri Liberec.

Petr has played pro hockey since 1990-91 in the NHL, Extraliga, IHL and AHL. He was the second overall pick at the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. Nedved played 982 regular season NHL games between 1990-91 and 2006-07 with the Canucks, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. Over that time, Petr scored 310 goals and assisted on 407 for 717 points.

Nedved played in one previous Winter Olympics. In a twist, Petr played for Canada at the 1994 Olympic Games. He played in the World Championships for his home country in 2012. Petr had played a total of 51 games on the international front.

Teemu Selanne – Finland (43)

Selanne has played pro hockey since 1989-90 in Finland’s Liiga and the NHL. Teemu was the tenth overall pick at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. Like Jagr, if he plays into the 2014-15 season, Selanne will reach the 1,500 NHL game plateau. Teemu has been in the NHL since 1992-93, playing for the Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. He is currently in the ninth year of his second stint with the Ducks.

Teemu has played for Finland at the Olympic Games on five previous occasions between 1992 and 2010. Selanne has also played for his home country at the IIHF World Championships on five occasions between 1991 and 2008.

Sandis Ozolins – Latvia (41)

Ozolins has played pro hockey since 1990-91 in the Soviet Union, IHL, NHL, AHL and KHL. He was a second round pick by the San Jose Sharks at the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, 30^th overall. Sandis played 875 regular season games in the National Hockey League between 1992-93 and 2007-08 with the Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.

Currently, Ozolins is the team captain of Dinamo Riga of the KHL. 2013-14 is his fifth year in the KHL. Sandis played for Latvia at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. He also played for his country at the 1998, 2001 and 2002 World Championships.

Daniel Alfredsson – Sweden (41)

Alfredsson has played pro hockey since 1990-91 in Sweden’s Division 1 and SHL, along with the NHL. Daniel was a lowly sixth round pick by the Ottawa Senators at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, 133^rd overall. He has played in the NHL since 1995-96 with the Senators and Detroit Red Wings. 2013-14 is his first year with Detroit after being team captain in Ottawa from 1999-00 to 2012-13.

2014 will be Alfredsson’s fifth time on the Sweden roster at the Olympics. He has also competed for his home country at the IIHF World Championships on seven occasions.