Pontus Åberg ( ; born 23 September 1993) is a
Swedish professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
forward currently under contract with
EHC Kloten in the
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
(NL). He was drafted in the second round of the
2012 NHL Entry Draft, 37th pick overall, by the
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...
.
Playing career
Professional
SHL
Åberg represented team Stockholm at the Rikspucken, a national tournament in Sweden. He made his
Elitserien debut during the 2010–11 season, as an extra forward in the second game of the season against Modo Hockey, but did not get any time on the ice. Åberg extended his contract with Djurgården to the 2013–14 season in May 2011. Åberg played a total of five games, scoring two points in the
2011 edition of the pre-season tournament
European Trophy. Åberg received his first time on the ice in an Elitserien game and also scored his first goal in Elitserien in the league premier against
HV71 on 15 September 2011. He scored the game-winning goal in the
shootouts against
Färjestad BK on 29 September 2011.
After a start to the
2011–12 Elitserien season that included getting five goals and three assists in the first fourteen games, Åberg was announced to be the first of four candidates for that season's
Elitserien Rookie of the Year.
In the
2013–14 season, Åberg transferred to play for fellow SHL club,
Färjestad BK.
Nashville Predators
After signing an entry-level contract with the Predators, he began his first North American season in
2014–15 season playing for the Predators
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate, the
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team based in Milwaukee. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Nashville Predators. They play their homes games at the UW–Milwaukee Panther ...
.
In the
2016–17 NHL season
The 2016–17 NHL season was the 100th season of operation (99th season of play) of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams were competing in an 82-game regular season from October 12, 2016, to April 9, 2017. The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs began ...
Åberg appeared in 15 regular season games posting 1 goal and 1 assist with the Predators. In the AHL Åberg was effective potting 31 goals in just 56 games with the Admirals.
After
Ryan Johansen went down in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and it was announced that Johansen would be out for the remainder of the playoffs, and with Predators captain
Mike Fisher being sidelined as well, the Predators called upon
Colton Sissons and Åberg to help carry the offensive load.
In game 5 Åberg scored the game-winning goal in Anaheim in a 3–1 win to give the Predators a 3–2 series lead. In Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena, Åberg assisted 2 of Sissons' 3 goals to help the Predators advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals.
On 18 July 2017, the Predators re-signed Aberg to a two-year, $1.3 million contract worth $650,000 annually.
During his time with the Predators', he was given the nickname "''The Pope''".
Edmonton Oilers
In the
2017–18 season, at the NHL trade deadline on 25 February 2018, Åberg was dealt by the Predators to the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
in exchange for
Mark Letestu. He made his Oilers debut on 27 February against the
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
. He scored his first point as an Oiler in his debut with an assist on a goal from
Jesse Puljujärvi, in a 5–2 loss to the Sharks. In remaining with the Oilers to play out the season, Åberg contributed with 2 goals and 8 points in 16 games.
Anaheim Ducks
After attending the Oilers 2018 training camp, Åberg was unable to retain his roster spot approaching the
2018–19 season. On 1 October 2018, he was claimed off waivers by the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
. He made his debut with the Ducks in an opening night 5–2 victory over the
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
on 3 October 2018. After a brief stint with AHL affiliate, the
San Diego Gulls
The San Diego Gulls are a professional ice hockey team based in San Diego. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Anaheim Ducks. The team plays its home games at Pechanga Arena.
History
On Jan ...
, Åberg returned to the Ducks scoring two goals in consecutive games on 28 and 30 October against the Sharks and
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
. Through 37 games with the Ducks, Åberg had already eclipsed career highs offensively, placing second on the team with 11 goals and recording 19 points before he was relegated as a healthy scratch through a franchise record losing streak.
Minnesota Wild
On 16 January 2019, Åberg's tenure with the Ducks ended as he was dealt to the
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
in exchange for
Justin Kloos
Justin Kloos (born November 30, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey Forward (ice hockey), forward. He is currently playing with Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He has previously played in the National Hockey League with t ...
.
Åberg was unable to replicate his offensive pace with the Wild, remaining on the roster through the conclusion of the regular season to post 1 goal and 6 points in 22 games.
On 25 June 2019, Åberg was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.
Toronto Maple Leafs
On 24 July 2019, Åberg signed as a free agent to a one-year, $700,000 deal with the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
.
In the
2019–20 season, Åberg was primarily assigned to AHL affiliate, the
Toronto Marlies. He was productive with the Marlies, registering 20 goals and 44 points in 55 games while making just 5 appearances with the Maple Leafs adding 1 assist. With the remainder of the AHL season cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, Åberg as an impending restricted free agent returned to his native Sweden.
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Left off the Maple Leafs return to play training camp roster, Åberg effectively left the NHL by signing a one-year contract with the Russian club,
Traktor Chelyabinsk of the
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL; ) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008. It comprises member clubs based in Russia (20), Belarus (1), Kazakhstan (1), and China (1) for a total of 23 clubs.
It was considered in ...
(KHL) on 13 July 2020. On 25 August 2020, Åberg's NHL rights were included in a six player trade by the Maple Leafs to the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
, along with
Kasperi Kapanen and
Jesper Lindgren, in exchange for
Evan Rodrigues,
David Warsofsky,
Filip Hållander and the 15th overall pick in the
2020 NHL Entry Draft. Åberg continued in the KHL for the duration of the
2020–21 season, where in 49 games he had 10 goals and 23 points for Traktor.
Ottawa Senators
After his lone season in Russia, Åberg returned to the NHL as a free agent, securing a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadian club, the
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
, on 29 July 2021.
After attending the Senators 2021 training camp, Åberg failed to make the opening night roster and was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the
Belleville Senators
The Belleville Senators (colloquially known as the B-Sens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Belleville, Ontario. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ottawa Senators. The Senators pl ...
, to begin the season.
Åberg collected 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points through 17 games with Belleville. Unable to earn a recall to Ottawa, on 6 December 2021, he was placed on unconditional waivers to mutually terminate the remainder of his contract with the Senators.
Return to Europe
Åberg as a free agent from the Senators immediately opted to return to his native Sweden, signing for the remainder of the season with
Timrå IK
Timrå IK is a professional Swedish ice hockey team based in Timrå, north of Sundsvall. It competes in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), which is the top-tier league in Sweden, since being promoted by winning 2021 SHL qualifiers. Previous sea ...
of the SHL on 7 December 2021.
After helping the club avoid relegation, Åberg left Timrå in the off-season and initially joined the Czech club,
BK Mladá Boleslav of the
Czech Extraliga (ELH) on 15 June 2022. In the following 2022–23 season, Åberg registered 3 goals and 13 points through 26 games before opting to conclude his contract to continue his journeyman career, in joining Swiss club,
SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
(NL), for the remainder of the season on 10 December 2022.
Åberg having left Switzerland after his contract, opted to return to the KHL, by agreeing to a one-year contract with Kazakh-based club,
Barys Astana
Hockey Club Barys ( ), also referred to as Barys Astana or HC Barys, is a professional ice hockey club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. It is a member of the Chernyshev Division in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
It is one of the founding members ...
for the
2023–24 season on 1 July 2023.
After a lone season with Barys, Åberg returned for a second tenure with his previous club, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, in agreeing to an option two-year contract on 15 July 2024.
On 21 January 2025, Åberg agreed to be released from his contract with the Lakers, as the team's excess of import players meant that he had trouble getting into the lineup. He was immediately signed by rival National League club
EHC Kloten.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aberg, Pontus
1993 births
Living people
Anaheim Ducks players
Barys Astana players
Belleville Senators players
BK Mladá Boleslav players
Djurgårdens IF (men's hockey) players
Edmonton Oilers players
Expatriate ice hockey players in the Czech Republic
Färjestad BK players
Ice hockey people from Stockholm
Milwaukee Admirals players
Minnesota Wild players
Nashville Predators draft picks
Nashville Predators players
San Diego Gulls (AHL) players
SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers players
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Russia
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Swedish expatriate sportspeople in the Czech Republic
Swedish ice hockey forwards
21st-century Swedish sportsmen
Timrå IK players
Toronto Maple Leafs players
Toronto Marlies players
Traktor Chelyabinsk players