Erik Christensen

For other people named Erik Christensen, see Erik Christensen (disambiguation).
Erik Christensen

Christensen during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Born (1983-12-17) December 17, 1983
Edmonton, AB, CAN
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
SHL team
Former teams
HV71
Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta Thrashers
Anaheim Ducks
New York Rangers
Minnesota Wild
HC Lev Praha
NHL Draft 69th overall, 2002
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 20042016

Erik Christensen (born December 17, 1983) is a Canadian former ice hockey centre who last played for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Playing career

Christensen was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round (69th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2002–03 season, Christensen received the Bob Clarke Trophy for being the leading scorer of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He tallied 108 points (54 goals) in 67 games with the Kamloops Blazers.

The 2004–05 NHL lockout left the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) stacked with talent, but Christensen impressed Penguins management by scoring 27 points (14 goals) in his first pro season. In the 2005–06 season, he jumped out of the gate quickly, tallying 19 points (9 goals) in only 9 games. The Pittsburgh Penguins called him up on October 31, 2005.

Christensen scored his first NHL goal on November 3, 2005, against the New York Islanders (against goaltender Rick DiPietro) at 15:43 into the 2nd period. Another promising rookie for the Penguins in 2005–06 (along with Sidney Crosby, Colby Armstrong, Ryan Whitney and others), Christensen earned 13 points (6 goals) in 33 games with the Penguins during his rookie campaign.

On February 26, 2008, the Atlanta Thrashers acquired Christensen along with Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, and a first-round draft pick in a trade deadline deal that sent Marián Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Penguins.

On March 4, 2009, the Thrashers sent Christensen to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Eric O'Dell.[1] He contributed 2 goals and 7 assists to the Ducks during the remainder of the season, and contributed 2 assists during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Christensen was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers on December 2, 2009.[2]

Christensen has been valuable in shootouts his entire career. As of the end of the 09-10 season, he has scored 23 goals in 43 attempts for a 53.5% success rate.

Erik's nickname has been "Crusher" since he was 14 years old.[3]

During a game against the New Jersey Devils on December 27, 2010, Christensen sustained an injury to his right knee ligament requiring him to miss four to six weeks.[4]

On February 3, 2012, Christensen was traded, along with a conditional 7th round draft pick in 2013, to the Minnesota Wild for center Casey Wellman.[5] If Christensen is not re-signed by Minnesota Wild, they will receive the New York Rangers' 2013 7th round draft pick.[6]

On June 5, 2012, Christensen signed with HC Lev Praha, terms unknown.[7]

Career statistics

    Regular Season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998-99 Kamloops Blazers WHL 4 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 - 1999–00 Kamloops Blazers WHL 66 9 5 14 41 4 0 0 0 2
2000–01 Kamloops Blazers WHL 72 21 23 44 36 4 1 1 2 0
2001–02 Kamloops Blazers WHL 70 22 36 58 68 4 0 0 0 4
2002–03 Kamloops Blazers WHL 67 54 54 108 60 6 1 7 8 14
2003–04 Kamloops Blazers WHL 29 10 14 24 40
2003–04 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 34 17 21 38 20 11 8 4 12 8
2004–05 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 77 14 13 27 33 11 1 6 7 4
2005–06 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 48 24 22 46 50 11 2 2 4 2
2005–06 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 33 6 7 13 34
2006–07 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 16 12 12 24 8
2006–07 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 61 18 15 33 26 4 0 0 0 6
2007–08 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 49 9 11 20 28
2007–08 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 10 2 2 4 2
2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 47 5 14 19 14
2008–09 Anaheim Ducks NHL 17 2 7 9 6 8 0 2 2 0
2009–10 Anaheim Ducks NHL 9 0 0 0 2
2009–10 New York Rangers NHL 49 8 18 26 24
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 63 11 16 27 18 5 1 0 1 2
2011–12 New York Rangers NHL 20 1 4 5 2
2011–12 Connecticut Whale AHL 5 2 1 3 8
2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 29 6 1 7 6
2012–13 Lev Praha KHL 41 11 10 21 18
NHL totals 387 68 95 163 162 17 1 2 3 8

References

  1. "Ducks acquire Christensen from Atlanta". ducks.nhl.com. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  2. Gross, Andrew (2009-12-02). "Valiquette waived; Brashear hurt". The Record. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  3. Schwartz, Adam (2008-03-17). "What's In A Name?". Sharks.nhl.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  4. "Rangers C Christensen out 4-to-6 weeks". The Wall Street Journal. December 30, 2010.
  5. "Rangers trade Christensen, Draft Pick to Wild for Wellman". The Sports Network. 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  6. "Wild makes move in push to help its lagging offense". Star Tribune. 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  7. "Erik Christensen - Minnesota Wild". Roto World. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-05.

External links

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