Kim Staal

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
team = HV71
former_teams = Linköpings HC Malmö Redhawks MODO Hockey
league = SEL
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 196
nationality = DEN
birth_date = birth date and age|1978|3|10
birth_place = Herlev, DEN
draft = 92nd overall
draft_year = 1996
draft_team = Montreal Canadiens
career_start = 1996

Kim Staal (born March 10, 1978, in Herlev, Denmark [cite web |title=Kim Staal - player profile and career stats |publisher=European Hockey.Net |url=http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=9914 |accessdate=2008-06-19] ) is a Danish professional ice hockey forward, currently with HV71 in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.

Despite his surname, he is not related to the Staal family of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, which consists of hockey playing brothers Eric, Marc, Jordan and Jared, who are Canadians of Dutch descent.

Playing career

Staal was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens as their fourth-round pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his early professional career in the Swedish elite league, playing for Malmö IF and MODO Hockey. Staal has also played on the Denmark national ice hockey team and has participated in every Ice Hockey World Championships since 2003. In 2006, he signed with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He signed with Linköpings HC in July 2007 and with HV71 in June 19, for one season. [cite web |title=Kim Staal fyller ena luckan |publisher=HV71 |last=Gustafsson |first=Daniel |language=Swedish | url=http://www.hv71.se/Nyheter/Kim-Staal-fyller-ena-luckan/ |date=2008-06-19 |accessdate=2008-06-19]

He is often popular with fans and teammates due to his outgoing nature and sense of humour.fact|date=August 2008 In Sweden, his nickname is "Staalmannen"cite web |url=http://www.linkopinghc.com/index.php?storyid=39 |title=Staalmannen trivs i hjälterollen |publisher=Linköpings HC |work= |last=Hallgren |first=Rasmus |language=Swedish |date=2008-03-30 |accessdate=2008-08-27] which literally means "man of steel". "Stålmannen" is also the Swedish name for Superman.

Awards

* Named to the Elitserien All-Star Game in 2001 and 2002.
* Elitserien silver medal in 2002 and 2008.

Career statistics

"Statistics as of June 19, 2008"

International play

Staal has played for Denmark in the following competitions:

* 2003 World Championships
* 2004 World Championships
* 2005 World Championships
* 2006 World Championships
* 2007 World Championships
* 2008 World Championships

International statistics

"Statistics as of June 17, 2008"

References

External links

*hockeydb|37609