WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Viktor Stalberg Signs With Toronto Maple Leafs
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4/14/09
BURLINGTON, VT - Junior Viktor Stålberg (Gothenburg, Sweden) of the University of Vermont men's hockey team has signed a professional contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and will not return for his senior season. Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, made the announcement today.
Stålberg will complete his junior year academically this spring. He plans to continue his education at UVM by taking summer and online courses to earn the remaining credits needed to finish his degree in the near future. Stålberg carries a 3.6 grade point average in business administration.
"After speaking with my family, teammates, and coaching staff, I have decided to sign a professional contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs," Stålberg said. "Although an extremely difficult decision to leave school early, it's a dream come true for me; one that every player hopes to fulfill. I couldn't have accomplished this without the support of my family, friends, teammates, and the coaches and staff here at UVM. The University of Vermont provided me with the necessary resources on and off the ice to excel in the classroom, on the ice, in the weight room and within the great city of Burlington."
"I will miss the fans at Gutterson as well as all of my friends within the program," Stålberg added. "I will be keeping close tabs on the Cats as I am certain they will be back in the hunt for a NCAA title soon. I also look forward to finishing my degree from one of the best schools in the country. To everyone here at the University of Vermont, thank you for everything!"
"While we are disappointed that Vik won't be in a Vermont jersey next season, we are equally thrilled that he has an opportunity to play in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs," Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon said. "Viktor was a great student-athlete for us garnering much deserved consideration for the Hobey Baker award as well as earning First-Team All-American honors. Viktor's physical and mental maturity will allow him to excel in his professional career while working toward his college degree from UVM. On behalf of the coaching staff, players, and fans, I want to wish Viktor the very best in his professional career."
Stålberg was on a flight Tuesday morning to join the Toronto Marlies, the AHL-affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Marlies begin their North Division Semifinal series against the Manitoba Moose, the AHL-affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Stålberg will be joining former Catamount defenseman Jaime Sifers '06, who also is a member of the Marlies.
Stålberg, a finalist for the 2009 Hobey Baker award, ranked fifth in the country in goals (24) and he led Vermont in points with 46. He became just the fourth player in program history to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker award along with Kirk McCaskill '83 (1982), Eric Perrin '97 (1996) and Martin St. Louis '97 (1995, 1996, 1997).
Stålberg was also named a Division I First-Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Stålberg is the 21st All-American in UVM program history and the first since Martin St. Louis in 1997.
A First-Team Hockey East All-Star and runner-up for Hockey East Player of the Year, other honors for Stålberg included: College Hockey News First-Team All-American, Inside College Hockey Second-Team All-American, New England Division I All-Star and Most Improved Player in New England (Paul Hines Award).
Stålberg's 24 goals were the most for a Catamount since Eric Perrin, now with the Atlanta Thrashers, had 26 goals in 1996-97. Stålberg ranked first in Hockey East play in goals (19) and was third in points (34). He recorded at least one point in 22 of 27 league games and completed the season with points in 26 of the final 29 contests. With 46 points, Stålberg became just the third Catamount in the last 12 years to reach 40 points in a season. Torrey Mitchell '07, now with the San Jose Sharks, had 40 points in 2005-06 and Scott Mifsud '05 had 48 points in 2004-05.
In addition to leading the team in goals and points, Stålberg also led the team in assists (22), power-play goals (7), power-play points (15), short-handed goals (2), short-handed points (3) and shots (165). His plus-12 rating led all UVM forwards. He posted a career best 11-game scoring streak from Nov. 21 through Jan. 27 and ended the season with an eight-game scoring streak.
Stålberg helped lead Vermont to a 22-12-5 record and the second-ever Frozen Four appearance for the Catamounts. The 22 wins were the most since the 1996-97 season and Vermont also posted a fifth straight winning year at the Division I level for the first time in program history.
Vermont has now had a player sign a NHL contract in four consecutive seasons. Sifers signed with Toronto in 2006 and since has earned a contract extension. He played 23 games in the NHL with the Maple Leafs this season.
Torrey Mitchell '07 signed with the San Jose Sharks in 2007 and played in all 82 games in the NHL as a rookie with the Sharks last season before battling injuries this year.
Joe Fallon '08 signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008 and has played for Chicago's ECHL and AHL affiliate this season.
Stålberg becomes the fourth player in as many years to ink a NHL deal. He is the ninth former Catamount to currently have a NHL contract along with Joe Fallon (Chicago), Graham Mink '01 (Washington), Torrey Mitchell (San Jose), Eric Perrin (Atlanta), Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay), Patrick Sharp '02 (Chicago), Jaime Sifers (Toronto) and Tim Thomas '97 (Boston).
Stålberg was a sixth-round selection (161 overall) by Toronto in the 2006 NHL Draft. In 117 games with Vermont over three seasons (2006 to 2009), Stålberg collected 84 points (41 goals, 43 assists) and 119 penalty minutes.
---COURTESY VERMONT ATHLETICS
