Nick Bjugstad playing for the Florida Phanters has got his name from Oppland, Norway. (Photo: NHL.com)

Hockey is a traditional winter sport that has always been very popular in Sweden, and Swedes are “born with skates on their feet.” The sport is also gaining popularity in Norway, not least thanks to the talented Norwegian right winger Mads Zuccarello Aasen playing for the New York Rangers.

It is somewhat ironic that the magician “Zuuuuuucc” uses his Italian family name when there are so many US and Canadian-born NHL players who have Scandinavian family names.

Below you will find some examples (Player, NHL team, Birthplace):

Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Erik Gudbranson, Florida Panthers, Ottawa, ON, CAN

Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning, Spokane, WA, USA

Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators, Park Ridge, IL, USA

John Carlson, Washington Capitals, Natick, MA, USA

Seth Helgeson, New Jersey Devils, Faribault, MN, USA

Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils, Melville, SK, CAN

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders, Warroad, MN, USA

Travis Moen, Dallas Stars, Stewart Valley, SK, CAN

Scottie Upshall, St. Louis Blues, Fort McMurray, AB, CAN

Joel Edmundson, St. Louis Blues, Brandon, MB, CAN

Paul Gaustad, Nashville Predators, Fargo, ND, USA

Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators, Vancouver, BC, CAN

Eric Nystrom, Nashville Predators, Syosset, NY, USA

Text by: Thor Lanesskog, ThorNews

Categories: Language, Sports & Health