Eric Nystrom
Eric Nystrom was drafted tenth overall in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. The Syosset, New York native spent four seasons (2001-2005) in the CCHA with the University of Michigan Wolverines, where he produced 111 points and a +47 rating in 160 total games. The former captain of the Wolverines was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team and was named Best Defensive Forward. He spent most of the 2005-06 season in the AHL with the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, but also appeared in two games with the Calgary Flames, including his NHL debut on October 10th against the Colorado Avalanche. He never saw any NHL action during the 2006-07 season due to a shoulder injury and only appeared in 12 AHL games with Omaha. He played 44 games with Calgary during the 2007-08 season and scored his first NHL goal on October 30th against the Nashville Predators. He set career-highs that season with 7 assists and 10 points which have not yet been broken. He played his first full NHL season in 2008-09 and produced career-highs in games played (76), goals (5) and penalty minutes (89). He is currently under contract with the Calgary Flames that will take him through to the end of the 2009-10 season. In international hockey, he represented the United States at the 2001 World Under-18 Championships, along with the 2002 and 2003 World Junior Championships. At 6’1 and around 195 pounds, Nystrom is a hard worker who possesses good two-way ability and can play all three forward positions. He isn’t a big point producer, but he is only in his fourth NHL season and continues to improve.
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