Lars Zetterström

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

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image_size = 200px
position = Defence
played_for = Färjestads BK
Vancouver Canucks
nickname =
shot =
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 194
nationality = SWE
birth_date = Birth date and age|1953|11|6
birth_place = Stockholm, Sweden
career_start = 1971
career_end = 1987

Lars Zetterström (born November 6, 1953 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player who spent many years with Färjestads BK of the Elitserien, and also played briefly in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks.

A smooth, mobile defender, Zetterström came up through the junior ranks at Färjestads and became a regular in 1972. He would become one of the club's top defenders, and represented Sweden at the 1977 and 1978 World Championships, winning a Silver medal in 1977.

In 1978, Zetterström signed as a free agent with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Joining the team along with fellow Swedes Thomas Gradin and Lars Lindgren, the trio were the first Europeans to suit up for the club in their history. While Gradin and Lindgren were successful and went on to solid NHL careers, Zetterström struggled. He played in only 14 games for the Canucks, recording one assist and a -10 rating, and spent most of the season in the Central Hockey League with the Dallas Black Hawks.

Zetterström was claimed by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft, but returned to Sweden to once again suit up for Färjestads. He would play for them until 1983, helping them to the Swedish Championship in 1981. He then joined the third-division Hammarö HC club, and played for them until retiring in 1987.

External links

*hockeydb|5857
*legendsofhockey|14749
*eurohockey|28630