Sean Bergenheim
Sean Bergenheim was drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. Originally from Helsinki, Finland, he played three years with Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League from 2001-2004 and helped his team win the Finnish Championship in 2002. He signed a three-year contract with the New York Islanders in July 2003 and made his NHL debut in the October 9th season opener against the Washington Capitals. He scored his first NHL goal, which was shorthanded, on October 25th against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was then re-assigned to Jokerit in January and eventually played with New York’s AHL team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the playoffs. He also played with the Sound Tigers during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season and was selected to play at the AHL All-Star Classic. He again played with Bridgeport for most of the 2005-06 season, where he led his team with 25 goals and 112 penalty minutes in 55 games. Unable to agree on a contract with the Islanders, he split the 2006-07 season between the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League and Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League. After a successful season overseas, he re-signed with the Islanders to a one-year contract and finished the 2007-08 season with a career-high 78 games played and 12 assists. On March 4th, he became the 350th different Islander to score a goal at Madison Square Garden. In July, he re-signed with New York to a two year contract extension. In 2008-09, he led the Islanders with 5 game-winning goals and 4 short-handed goals, along with establishing new career-highs with 15 goals, 24 points and 64 penalty minutes. In international hockey, he represented Finland at the 2001 World Under-18 Championships (bronze medal), 2002 World Junior Championships (bronze medal), 2002 World Under-18 Championships, 2003 World Junior Championships (bronze medal) and 2007 World Championships (silver medal). Bergenheim is a good all-around winger, who has great speed and nice puck-moving skills. However, at 5’10 and around 205 pounds, he could add more bulk to his small frame.
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