Johan Hedberg

Infobox Ice Hockey Player
team= Atlanta Thrashers
former_teams = "NHL"
Pittsburgh Penguins
Vancouver Canucks
Dallas Stars
"SEL"
Leksands IF
league = NHL

---

image_size = 250px
position = Goaltender
catches = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 185
draft = 218^th overall
draft_year = 1994
draft_team = Philadelphia Flyers
nickname = Moose [cite news | url = http://sharks.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=357326&page=NewsPage&service=page | title = What's In A Name? | last = Schwartz | first = Adam | publisher = NHL.com | date = 2008-03-17 | accessdate = 2008-04-24] Jo-Jo
nationality = SWE
birth_date = birth date and age|1973|05|05
birth_place = Leksand, SWE
career_start = 1993

Johan "Moose" Hedberg (born May 5, 1973, in Leksand, Sweden) is a professional hockey goaltender currently with the Atlanta Thrashers of National Hockey League.

Playing career

Hedberg was drafted in the ninth round, 218th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Before signing in Atlanta in 2006, Hedberg played for the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has also played for other clubs: Leksands IF (Sweden), Baton Rouge Kingfish (ECHL), Detroit Vipers (IHL), Manitoba Moose (IHL/AHL), Kentucky Thoroughblades (AHL)

Hedberg's nickname is "Moose" or rarely but more preferably "Jo-Jo", pronounced "yo-yo". When he played for Pittsburgh, the home crowds would cheer for him after a spectacular save by yelling "Mooooose". This was often heard incorrectly as a boo. Fans quickly nicknamed him "Moose" out of necessity - Hedberg started a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and as a result was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet which, not surprisingly, had a large moose painted across it.

On December 26, 2005, Hedberg recorded two assists in a game against the St. Louis Blues. This is the first time a Dallas Stars goalie has ever accomplished this feat, and the first time any goalie in the NHL has done it since Patrick Roy on December 29, 2000. One assist came from a pass that met Stars Captain Mike Modano at the Blues' blue line, granting him a 1-on-1 opportunity.

Hedberg signed a two year contract with Atlanta in July 2006, and served as backup for starter Kari Lehtonen during the first year of that contract. With a long term injury that hindered Lehtonen during the 2007-08 season, Hedberg took over as Atlanta's starting goaltender for much of the season.

On June 16, 2008, Hedberg signed a multi-year contract extension with the Thrashers and should be expected to provide additional support for Kari Lehtonen on a rebuilding Atlanta team.

References

External links

*hockeydb|19097