Born : January 12th 1972
Club(s) : Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets
Game(s) : 207
Season(s) : 5
Year(s) : 1997/98 (Ducks) and 2000-04 (Blue Jackets)
Points : 30 goals - 81 assists - 111 points - 105 Pims
Story :
Besides Bjorn Skaare, Espen Knutsen is the best Norwegian player ever to have played the game. Excellent skills, and a fantastic skater.
Was in a league of his own in the early 90s when he played for VIF Hockey, and proved early that he was way too good to play in the norwegian league.
He joined Djurgaardens IF in Sweden in the mid 90s, and then on it was on the way to NHL.
Espen was the third norwegian to play in the NHL.
Espen also has been involved in a tragic accident when he played for the Blue Jackets. An shot was deflected up in the stands,
and killed an 13 year old girl. After this, nettings was mandatory in all NHL arenas.
Espens hightlight though must be the 2002 All Star game, when he was selected to play. Espen made a fine appeareance with one goal,
and one assists, proving his worth among the worlds greatest hockey players.
Espen finished his great career with again Djurgardens IF, but some serious head injuries forced him to hang up his skates,
and now he is the main coach for VIF Hockey Oslo, and making a new career.
Years :
1997/98 :
Espens first year in the NHL, was a tough one. The difference between the North American style, and his European style was much different that he expected,
and he struggled to get his game going. Espens first game was the first ever game played in Japan, between the Vancouver Canucks and the Mighty Ducks.
He got his first NHL goal on October 19th 1997, and got sent down to Cincinnatti on november 20th 1997.
He had 19 apperances for the Ducks, tallying 3 goals, and 0 assists.
2000/01 :
Espen came back to the NHL with the new expansion team Columbus in the 2000/01 season. The game had changed a bit since last time he was playing in the US,
and Espen also was much more ready this time. Espen really showed what was in him, and played 66 games for Columbus this season.
He had 11 goals, and 42 assists for 53 points! Highest to this date for a Norwegian player in the NHL.
He also sat an Columbus record for 5 assists in a game, on march 24th against the Calgary Flames!
2001/02 :
Espen continued to play well for Columbus also this season, playing on the first and second line,
and had the coaches trust all the way. Played 77 games of 82, and that is also a record for Norwegian players. Had 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points.
2002/03 :
This season proved to be tough for Espen. Columbus had been struggling as a team since it came into the NHL, and new coaches were taken in.
Espen also had taken some bad hits, and he only played 31 games this season, after struggling with injuries for a long period of time.
He had 5 goals and 4 assists, with only 9 points.
2003/04 :
The last season for Espen, and it was clear almost from the beginning that he wanted to return to European hockey, and Djurgardens again.
Not having much icetime, and was sent down to Syrcuse, Espen only played a few games before returning to Sweden. He only played 14 games, with 4 assists his last season.
Espen played his final NHL game against the Ottawa Senators november 5th 2003.
Sources : www.andersmyrvold.net
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