- P. J. Axelsson
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P. J. Axelsson 
Born 26 February 1975
Kungälv, SwedenHeight 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb) Position Left wing Shoots Left SEL team
Former teamsFrölunda Indians
Boston Bruins (NHL)National team 
SwedenNHL Draft 177th overall, 1995
Boston BruinsPlaying career 1993–present Medal record Men's ice hockey Olympic Games Gold 2006 Turin Ice hockey World Championships Silver 2004 Team Silver 2003 Team Bronze 2002 Team Bronze 2001 Team Anders Per-Johan Axelsson (born 26 February 1975), commonly abbreviated to P. J. Axelsson, is a Swedish professional ice hockey player with Frölunda HC of the Swedish Elitserien. His nickname in Sweden is "Pebben". He was the longest-tenured Bruin at the time of his departure from the NHL, having been with the Boston team from 1997–2009.
Axelsson plays as a left winger. Although he has not gained the reputation of a premier goal scorer, Axelsson's gritty, unrelenting attitude as a solid, defensive-minded forward, and his ability to make smart plays on the ice, has made him a fan favourite of the Boston Bruins, Frölunda HC, and the Swedish national team, Tre Kronor.
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Playing career
Axelsson played four seasons for his hometown team, Frölunda HC, in the Swedish Elitserien before being drafted 177th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.
Axelsson played all 82 games in his rookie season with the Bruins, helping them to reach the playoffs after the Bruins had missed out the previous season. He was one of the Bruins' key skill players during his career with them.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout Axelsson played for Frölunda HC in Sweden and helped the team become the champion of Elitserien. After the lockout, he returned to the United States to rejoin the Bruins. He became an Olympic champion with Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
On 23 March 2006, he signed a three year extension to his contract with the Boston Bruins.[1]
On 21 February 2008, Axelsson played his 700th NHL game, in Sunrise, Florida, a 5–4 shootout win over the Florida Panthers.
After helping the Bruins to the Eastern Conference semifinals during the 2008–09 NHL season, Axelsson signed a four year contract with Frölunda HC on 27 July 2009. Upon his return, he was named as one of two alternate captains for the team.
Off the ice
Axelsson is married and has two children, a daughter named Wilma and a son named Wilson. In his spare time he enjoys golf and football.[2]
Career achievements
- Bronze medal at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2001 and 2002.
- Silver medal at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2003 and 2004.
- Elitserien champion with Frölunda HC in 2005.
- Gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Records
- Elitserien record for most assists in playoffs (10)
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1993–94 Västra Frölunda HC SEL 11 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 1994–95 Västra Frölunda HC SEL 8 2 1 3 6 — — — — — 1995–96 Västra Frölunda HC SEL 36 15 5 20 10 13 3 0 3 10 1996–97 Västra Frölunda HC SEL 50 19 15 34 34 3 0 2 2 0 1997–98 Boston Bruins NHL 82 8 19 27 38 6 1 0 1 0 1998–99 Boston Bruins NHL 77 7 10 17 18 12 1 1 2 4 1999–00 Boston Bruins NHL 81 10 16 26 24 — — — — — 2000–01 Boston Bruins NHL 81 8 15 23 27 — — — — — 2001–02 Boston Bruins NHL 78 7 17 24 16 6 2 1 3 6 2002–03 Boston Bruins NHL 66 17 19 36 24 5 0 0 0 6 2003–04 Boston Bruins NHL 78 7 17 24 16 6 2 1 3 6 2004–05 Frölunda HC SEL 33 4 9 13 83 14 1 10 11 18 2005–06 Boston Bruins NHL 59 10 18 28 4 — — — — — 2006–07 Boston Bruins NHL 55 11 16 27 52 — — — — — 2007–08 Boston Bruins NHL 75 13 16 29 15 7 0 0 0 2 2008–09 Boston Bruins NHL 75 6 24 30 16 11 0 1 1 2 2009–10 Frölunda HC SEL 47 10 16 26 51 5 1 0 1 6 SEL totals 197 55 46 101 200 43 5 12 17 34 NHL totals 797 103 184 287 276 54 4 3 7 24 References
- ^ "Axelsson agrees to a three-year contract extension". Boston Bruins. http://www.bostonbruins.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=1644. Retrieved 3 December 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Bruins Roster - P. J. Axelsson". Boston Bruins. Archived from the original on 11 November 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061111185609/http://www.bostonbruins.com/team/playerinfo.asp?playerid=244. Retrieved 3 December 2006.
External links
Categories:- 1975 births
- Living people
- People from Kungälv Municipality
- Boston Bruins draft picks
- Boston Bruins players
- Frölunda HC players
- Ice hockey players at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- Olympic gold medalists for Sweden
- Olympic ice hockey players of Sweden
- Swedish ice hockey players
- Swedish expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Olympic medalists in ice hockey
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