Filip Forsberg Explained

Filip Forsberg
Birth Date:1994 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Östervåla, Sweden
League:NHL
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Right
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:212
Ntl Team:Sweden
Draft:11th overall
Draft Team:Washington Capitals
Draft Year:2012
Career Start:2012

Carl Filip Anton Forsberg[1] (in Swedish pronounced as /ˈfǐːlɪp ˈfɔ̂ʂːbærj/; born 13 August 1994), nicknamed "Fil", is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Forsberg was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Swedish career

Forsberg had standout performances at both the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Břeclav, Czech Republic, and the World U18 Championships Tournament in Brno, Czech Republic, where he was a member of the silver-medal winning Sweden teams. At the World Juniors in Brno, he was also named Best Forward of the tournament.[2] [3] In the final rankings of NHL Central Scouting, Forsberg was the highest-rated European-based forward available in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[4] He was selected 11th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals.

On 13 July 2012, while attending his first Capitals development camp, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract.[5] Forsberg was returned to his former club, Leksands IF, on loan for the duration of the 2012–13 season. He again improved upon his season totals for the third consecutive year to finish with 33 points in 38 games to help Leksand gain promotion to return to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the following season.

North America career

On 3 April 2013, while playing in Allsv, Forsberg was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Martin Erat and Michael Latta.[6] When his Swedish season completed, Forsberg joined the Predators in Tennessee for the remainder of the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season.[7] After participating in one practice with the team, Forsberg made his NHL debut on 14 April 2013 against the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded two shots on goal and finished with a minus 2 rating through 18:37 minutes of ice time.[8] Upon making his debut at 18 years, 244 days, Forsberg became the third-youngest player in franchise history to suit up for the Predators.[9] He recorded his first career NHL point with a secondary assist on David Legwand's 200th career NHL goal on 24 April against the Calgary Flames.[10]

Forsberg scored his first NHL goal on 8 October 2013 against Niklas Bäckström of the Minnesota Wild.[11] He finished the 2013–14 season with five points (one goal and four assists) in 13 games played with the Predators, in addition to 34 points (15 goals and 19 assists) in 47 games with the Predators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

On 22 January 2015, Forsberg was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus, replacing the Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin, who pulled out of the game due to injury.[12]

In the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, Forsberg became the youngest Nashville Predator to score a playoff goal in franchise history and also recorded the first playoff hat-trick in franchise history in the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks.[13] Forsberg was voted to the playoff NHL All-Rookie Team for the 2014–15 season.

During the 2015–16 season, Forsberg continued to surpass franchise milestones, recording two natural hat-tricks in a four-day span, the shortest time period between natural hat tricks since 1987–88. He also became the youngest Predator to record a regular season hat-trick.[14] Forsberg became the first player in Predators history to record multiple hat-tricks in a single season.[15] He also led the team in scoring for the second consecutive year and set a new career high (64) in points and goals, with 33. His 33 goals tied the Predators' franchise record.[16] In March 2016, Forsberg was named to Sweden's 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster.[17]

On 27 June 2016, Forsberg agreed to a six-year, $36 million contract to keep him in Nashville through to the 2021–22 season. In late February 2017, Forsberg scored back-to-back hat-tricks against the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche, making him the first player in Predators history and the first NHL player in over seven years to accomplish the feat.[18]

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Forsberg was named an alternate captain alongside Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen.[19] On 30 December 2017, the Predators placed Forsberg on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. With this, Forsberg's streak of 325 consecutive games (regular season and playoffs) played came to an end.[20]

During the 2019–20 season, on January 14, 2020, Forsberg successfully scored a "Michigan goal", being only the second player in NHL history to do so, at the time, only behind Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes.[21]

In the 2021–22 season, Forsberg enjoyed a resurgent year offensively, alongside Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen. On March 19, 2022, Forsberg surpassed David Legwand as the leading goal scorer in Predators history, scoring his 211th goal in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished the regular season setting career highs with 42 goals and 42 assists for 84 points in just 69 games.

As a pending free agent for the first-time in his career, Forsberg opted to remain with the Predators after signing an eight-year, $68 million contract extension to stay until the 2029–30 season on 9 July 2022.[22]

Personal life

Forsberg was born to Carina Dahlberg and Patrik Forsberg. At birth, he was named Carl Filip Anton Forsberg, although he is referred to by his second name, "Filip". He has a younger brother, Fredrik Forsberg, who plays hockey in the HV71 organization. The brothers are of no relation to Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg or Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg.

Filip Forsberg married American country singer Erin Alvey on July 23, 2022.

He is a supporter of Liverpool FC.[23]

Forsberg, along with professional basketball players Alex, Thanasis, Kostas, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, were announced as joining the Nashville SC ownership group in the MLS.[24]

In 2017, Forsberg became part owner of a five-year-old female Italian race horse named Trilly of Nando with fellow Swedish hockey player Jacob de la Rose of the Montreal Canadiens. [25]

On Mothers Day, May 10th, 2024, Forberg's son, Felix Forsberg, was born to him and his wife, Erin Alvey, weighing 8lbs and 8oz.[26]

Career statistics

International

YearTeamEventResult GPGAPtsPIM
2011SwedenU1864262
2011SwedenIH1854152
2012SwedenWJC60112
2012SwedenU1865276
2013SwedenWJC63250
2014SwedenWJC748122
2015SwedenWC5th881910
2016SwedenWCH3rd41120
2018SwedenWC42130
Junior totals3620163614
Senior totals161131410

Awards

NHL
Rookie of the Month November 2014
2015, 2024
All-Rookie Team
Second All-Star Team
International
World U-18 Best Forward 2012
2013
World Junior All-Star Team 2013, 2014
2014
2014

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 5 Minute Majors: Filip Forsberg . . 5 February 2015 . 26 November 2014 . 6 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206035322/http://video.predators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=683081 . dead .
  2. Web site: Button: Prospects turning heads at Ivan Hlinka tournament . . 12 August 2011 . 12 August 2011 . 13 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140813191345/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373782 . live .
  3. Web site: Five who have impressed at Hlinka tournament. Fox News. 12 August 2011. 16 August 2011. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152410/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/08/12/five-who-have-impressed-at-hlinka-tournament/. live.
  4. European Skaters Final Rankings http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=79333
  5. Web site: Capitals sign Filip Forsberg . . 13 July 2012 . 13 July 2012 . 16 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120716015609/http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=637864 . live .
  6. Web site: Capitals acquire Martin Erat and Michael Latta from Nashville . . 3 April 2013 . 3 April 2013 . 6 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130406024706/http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=663885 . live .
  7. Web site: Johnston . Mike . Preds’ Forsberg could make NHL debut Monday . Sportsnet . 17 November 2023 . 11 April 2013.
  8. News: Cooper . Josh . Filip Forsberg passes NHL debut . 17 November 2023 . USA Today . 15 April 2013.
  9. Web site: Red Wings shutout Predators . . 14 April 2013 . 14 April 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130616151525/http://predators.nhl.com/club/recap.htm?id=2012020623 . 16 June 2013.
  10. Web site: Third period rally give Predators win over Flames . Red Deer Advocate . November 16, 2023 . 24 April 2013.
  11. Web site: Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators . Nashville Predators . 9 October 2013 . 9 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160308031558/http://predators.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013020042 . 8 March 2016 . dead .
  12. Web site: Predators' Forsberg added to All-Star Game roster. NHL.com. 22 January 2015. 22 January 2015. 23 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150123025126/http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=36191. live.
  13. News: Filip Forsberg has hat trick after rookie award snub . 31 May 2018 . The Tennessean . 24 April 2015 . A few hours later, Forsberg made his own statement, notching the first hat trick of his NHL career – and the first hat trick in Preds' playoff history.
  14. Web site: Predators' Filip Forsberg records second natural hat trick in a week. 20 May 2023. 16 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316104748/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25497871/predators-filip-forsberg-records-second-natural-hat-trick-in-a-week. live.
  15. Web site: Filip Forsberg Sets Predators' Hat Trick Record - TSS. www.todaysslapshot.com. 11 May 2016. 3 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160503163328/http://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/filip-forsbergs-sets-predators-hat-trick-record. live.
  16. Web site: Forsberg ties Predators' record for goals - Nashville Post. Nashville Post. 11 May 2016. 30 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530235607/http://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/blog/20493097/forsberg-ties-predators-record-for-goals. live.
  17. Web site: Filip Forsberg named to Sweden's 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster. 15 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160317183915/http://nashville.suntimes.com/nashville-predators/7/118/263069/filip-forsberg-named-to-swedens-2016-world-cup-of-hockey-roster. 17 March 2016. dead.
  18. Web site: Filip Forsberg has Predators' first back-to-back hat tricks. .
  19. Web site: Roman Josi Named Captain of the Nashville Predators . NHL.com . 31 May 2018 . Press Release . 19 September 2017 . 11 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210111223605/https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/roman-josi-named-captain-of-the-nashville-predators/c-291169938 . live .
  20. Web site: Forsberg streak for Predators ends with undisclosed injury . NHL.com . 31 May 2018 . 30 December 2017 . 19 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519155850/https://www.nhl.com/news/nashville-filip-forsberg-on-injured-reserve/c-294502032 . live .
  21. Web site: Skrbina. Paul. Predators' Filip Forsberg becomes second NHL player to score lacrosse goal. 2021-03-23. The Tennessean. en-US.
  22. Web site: Predators, Forsberg agree to terms on eight-year extension . . 9 July 2022 . 9 July 2022 . 9 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220709145407/https://www.tsn.ca/filip-forsberg-contract-extension-nashville-predators-1.1823462 . live .
  23. Web site: Filip Forsberg interview: Meet the Liverpool-obsessed NHL star. Liverpool FC. 5 May 2020. 6 May 2020. 19 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519155846/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/394755-filip-forsberg-interview-meet-the-liverpool-obsessed-nhl-star. live.
  24. MLS. 1631295244565204993. Filip Forsberg .
  25. Web site: Jacob de la Rose: Horse Whisperer . . 2018-03-07 . 2023-10-07 . 13 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231013141428/https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/jacob-de-la-rose-horse-racing-trilly-of-nando-296707852 . live .
  26. https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2024/05/12/nashville-predators-filip-forsberg-erin-alvey-baby-born-mothers-day/73666913007/