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Mikael TellqvistSwedish ice hockey player, goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 19.09.1979
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
- Mikael Tellqvist: A Swedish Hockey Legend
- North American Odyssey
- Phoenix and Olympic Glory
- Buffalo and Kazan
- Present Day
Mikael Tellqvist: A Swedish Hockey Legend
Early Life and CareerMikael Tellqvist was born on September 19, 1979, in Sundbyberg, Sweden. Like many Swedish boys, he grew up playing hockey. He started out as a forward but switched to goaltending at the urging of his coach.
Tellqvist's professional career began with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Hockey League, where he played from 1998 to 2001. After an impressive 2000-01 season, he caught the attention of overseas managers and was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
North American Odyssey
Initially, Tellqvist played for the Toronto Maple Leafs' affiliate team, the St. John's Maple Leafs. In the 2002-03 season, he made his debut with the Maple Leafs but struggled to establish himself in the starting lineup. After 15 games over a season and a half, he returned to St. John's in mid-2003-04.
Tellqvist earned another chance with the Maple Leafs the following season when he filled in for injured starter Ed Belfour. He played 25 games but once again found himself on the bench for long stretches.
Phoenix and Olympic Glory
In 2006, Tellqvist was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. By this time, he had already made a name for himself. He had also been selected to the Swedish national team and helped win the Olympic gold medal at the Turin Games.
For three seasons from 2006 to 2009, Tellqvist was a regular starter for the Coyotes, appearing in 67 games with an average of three goals allowed per game.
Buffalo and Kazan
In the 2008-09 season, Tellqvist was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. However, his stay there was short-lived. On May 1, 2009, he was traded to Ak Bars Kazan in the Kontinental Hockey League, where he signed a contract.
Present Day
Tellqvist continues to play actively. He remains hopeful that he will have more opportunities to showcase his skills and delight his fans in the years to come.
