Anders Hedberg

Anders Hedberg (born 25 February 1951) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who was one of the first European-born players to make an impact in North America. He played internationally for the Sweden men's national ice hockey team, and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1997. Along with countryman Ulf Nilsson, Hedberg signed a contract to play for the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1974, after having represented both Modo Hockey and Djurgårdens IF in his native Sweden. Hedberg subsequently played during seven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers. He was twice voted best junior in Sweden (1969 and 1970) and is a graduate from the Stockholm School of Physical Education (GIH). As part of the "Hot Line" with teammates Bobby Hull and Ulf Nilsson that played from 1974 to 1978, Hedberg won two Avco World Trophies as WHA champions with the Winnipeg Jets. In 1977, he became the first player to score more than 50 goals in the first 50 games in a season, doing so with 51 goals.