Toni Lydman

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size=
team=Buffalo Sabres
former_teams = Calgary Flames
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
nickname =
height_ft = 6
height_in = 1
weight_lb = 202
nickname =
nationality = FIN
birth_date = birth date and age|1977|9|25
birth_place = Lahti, FIN
draft = 89th overall
draft_year = 1996
draft_team = Calgary Flames
career_start = 2000

Toni Lydman (born September 25, 1977 in Lahti, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. He lives with his wife, Heta, and two daughters, Amanda and Ellen.

Playing career

Lydman was drafted by Calgary in the fourth round, 89th overall at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent four seasons playing in Finland's SM-liiga for Tappara in Tampere and HIFK in Helsinki before making his NHL debut for the Flames in the 2000–01 NHL season.

His best season came in the 2001–02 NHL season when he scored 28 points with 6 goals and 22 assists, he was tied-5th for his team in assists and 6th in points scoring. In the 2002–03 NHL season, Lydman led his defense in points with 26 and managed to remain injury free the whole season, only missing one game due to illness. Calgary made it to the Stanley Cup finals in the 2003–04 NHL season, but Lydman missed most of their playoff campaign due to injury.During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, which wiped out the entire 2004–05 NHL season, Lydman returned to Helsinki for HIFK but only managed to play eight games.

On August 25, 2005, Lydman was traded from Calgary to the Buffalo Sabres for a 3rd round draft pick (John Armstrong) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft,

A passionate player, in the 2007-2008 season Lydman had the 16th most hits in the league for a defenceman. He is also known for his steady neutral zone play.

Career statistics

Awards

* Pekka Rautakallio trophy for best defenceman in the SM-liiga - 2000

External links

*
* [http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8465042&service=page&tab=prf Toni Lydman - Sabres.com]