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Kent Nilsson: The Calgary Flames Superstar Who Chose Not To Be - Last Word on Hockey
His name would have been iconic to hockey fans if only he had wanted it to be. Instead, his stardom dissipated within just a few years of his dominant debut. “Kenta” and “The Magic Man,” they called him. Today, Kent Nilsson is just a fading memory.
He could have been so much more.
“He’s the purest, most talented player in the league. Great player, great shot” – Wayne Gretzky, March 1987 (“ROUNDUP Oilers Get Nilsson,” The Globe and Mail, 3 Mar 1987).
He exhibited boundless creativity and a refined sense of finesse. He was among the most skilled players of his generation (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005). Among Nilsson’s many gifts to the sport was Peter Forsberg‘s famous one-handed shootout move. Forsberg’s move was lifted from an identical move used by Nilsson at the 1989 World Championship. “The goalie… went, like, into the stands,” recalled Forsberg in the immediate post-game interview of that Gold Medal game, admitting that he had seen Nilsson’s move in 1989 (Cam Cole, Edmonton Journal, 28 Feb 1994).
Kent Nilsson was a virtuoso. His ability to handle the puck and generate effortless offense prompted witnesses to draw comparisons between the Swedish magician and the league’s most dominant player at the time, Wayne Gretzky.
He exhibited boundless creativity and a refined sense of finesse. He was among the most skilled players of his generation (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005). Among Nilsson’s many gifts to the sport was Peter Forsberg‘s famous one-handed shootout move. Forsberg’s move was lifted from an identical move used by Nilsson at the 1989 World Championship. “The goalie… went, like, into the stands,” recalled Forsberg in the immediate post-game interview of that Gold Medal game, admitting that he had seen Nilsson’s move in 1989 (Cam Cole, Edmonton Journal, 28 Feb 1994).
“In my opinion, Kenta… was as good as the guy 200 miles north [Gretzky] — when he wanted to play.” – Ken Houston, Flames forward (1975-1982) (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005)
Such was the sentiment of Ken Houston, a linemate of Nilsson’s during their time together with the Atlanta, and later Calgary, Flames. Kent Nilsson brimmed with potential. Some figure he could have been a deity of the sport.
His lack of ambition laid waste to that wondrous opportunity.
Read the full article at Last Word On Hockey: Kent Nilsson: The Calgary Flames Superstar Who Chose Not To Be - Last Word on Hockey
His name would have been iconic to hockey fans if only he had wanted it to be. Instead, his stardom dissipated within just a few years of his dominant debut. “Kenta” and “The Magic Man,” they called him. Today, Kent Nilsson is just a fading memory.
He could have been so much more.
“He’s the purest, most talented player in the league. Great player, great shot” – Wayne Gretzky, March 1987 (“ROUNDUP Oilers Get Nilsson,” The Globe and Mail, 3 Mar 1987).
He exhibited boundless creativity and a refined sense of finesse. He was among the most skilled players of his generation (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005). Among Nilsson’s many gifts to the sport was Peter Forsberg‘s famous one-handed shootout move. Forsberg’s move was lifted from an identical move used by Nilsson at the 1989 World Championship. “The goalie… went, like, into the stands,” recalled Forsberg in the immediate post-game interview of that Gold Medal game, admitting that he had seen Nilsson’s move in 1989 (Cam Cole, Edmonton Journal, 28 Feb 1994).
Kent Nilsson was a virtuoso. His ability to handle the puck and generate effortless offense prompted witnesses to draw comparisons between the Swedish magician and the league’s most dominant player at the time, Wayne Gretzky.
He exhibited boundless creativity and a refined sense of finesse. He was among the most skilled players of his generation (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005). Among Nilsson’s many gifts to the sport was Peter Forsberg‘s famous one-handed shootout move. Forsberg’s move was lifted from an identical move used by Nilsson at the 1989 World Championship. “The goalie… went, like, into the stands,” recalled Forsberg in the immediate post-game interview of that Gold Medal game, admitting that he had seen Nilsson’s move in 1989 (Cam Cole, Edmonton Journal, 28 Feb 1994).
“In my opinion, Kenta… was as good as the guy 200 miles north [Gretzky] — when he wanted to play.” – Ken Houston, Flames forward (1975-1982) (“Calgary Flames,” Calgary Herald, 18 Dec 2005)
Such was the sentiment of Ken Houston, a linemate of Nilsson’s during their time together with the Atlanta, and later Calgary, Flames. Kent Nilsson brimmed with potential. Some figure he could have been a deity of the sport.
His lack of ambition laid waste to that wondrous opportunity.
Read the full article at Last Word On Hockey: Kent Nilsson: The Calgary Flames Superstar Who Chose Not To Be - Last Word on Hockey
