The Swedish Invasion

from John Kreiser of NHL.com, Salming was a trailblazer who probably did more than any other player to dispel the myth that Swedes weren?t tough enough to play in the NHL. He took every hit, dished out more than a few of his own, and became one of the NHL?s top defensemen?and a fan favorite in Toronto.

Salming was a First- or Second-Team All-Star for six consecutive seasons and had 148 goals and 768 points in 16 seasons with the Leafs before finishing with a year in Detroit. In 1996, Salming was the first Swedish player voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?.

By the early years of the 21st century, no one was better at it than the Red Wings. The sharp eye of European scout Hakan Anderson kept a steady supply of Swedish talent headed to Hockeytown, capped by a Stanley Cup victory in 2008 that saw Lidstrom become the first Swedish captain to lead a team to the title and six fellow Swedes?including Conn Smythe Trophy winner Henrik Zetterberg?get their chance to skate a lap with the Cup.

Some teams have also been lucky.

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has established himself as one of the NHL?s best, was a seventh-round pick in 2000 who arrived in New York five years later after getting his hockey education with Frolunda?and became an immediate sensation.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/the_swedish_invasion/

Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot