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Espen KnutsenHead coach of Norwegian Valerenga
Date of Birth: 12.01.1972
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Biography of Espen Knutsen
Espen Knutsen is a professional Norwegian ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Norwegian team Valerenga. Knutsen played five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is the only Norwegian player to have participated in the NHL All-Star Game.
Knutsen was drafted by the NHL in 1990 as the 204th overall pick in the tenth round. However, he continued to play in Europe until 1997, first with Valerenga and later with the Swedish team Djurgardens. In 1997, Knutsen's rights were acquired by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and he made his NHL debut that same year. After an unsuccessful season, he returned to Djurgardens.
In the 1999-2000 season, Knutsen became the highest-paid player in the Swedish Elite League with a salary of $280,000. He was given a second chance in 2000 when he was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, recommended by assistant coach George Kingston, who had previously coached the Norwegian national team. In his first season with Columbus, Knutsen performed well, earning 53 points (11 goals + 42 assists) in 66 games.
Although his performance declined in the following season, Knutsen was selected as a replacement player for the NHL All-Star Game in 2002, becoming the first Norwegian to participate in the game. The following seasons were plagued with injuries for Knutsen, and he retired from the sport in July 2005 after sustaining a serious injury.
Following his retirement, Knutsen returned to his hometown of Oslo, where he currently resides with his family. He is now the coach of Valerenga, the club where he began his career. In 2002, Knutsen was involved in a tragic incident during a game against the Calgary Flames. His shot deflected off defenseman Derek Morris' stick and struck thirteen-year-old fan Britany Cecil in the head, resulting in her death. As a result of this tragedy, the NHL mandated the installation of protective netting above the glass behind the goals in all arenas.