Pontus Åberg

Pontus Åberg ( ; born 23 September 1993) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with ZSC Lions in the National League (NL). He was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NHL entry draft, 37th pick overall, by the Nashville Predators.

Playing career Professional SHL Åberg represented team Stockholm at the Rikspucken, a national tournament in Sweden. He made his Elitserien debut during the 2010–11 season, as an extra forward in the second game of the season against Modo Hockey, but did not get any time on the ice. Åberg extended his contract with Djurgården to the 2013–14 season in May 2011. Åberg played a total of five games, scoring two points in the 2011 edition of the pre-season tournament European Trophy. Åberg received his first time on the ice in an Elitserien game and also scored his first goal in Elitserien in the league premier against HV71 on 15 September 2011. He scored the game-winning goal in the shootouts against Färjestad BK on 29 September 2011.

After a start to the 2011–12 Elitserien season that included getting five goals and three assists in the first fourteen games, Åberg was announced to be the first of four candidates for that season's Elitserien Rookie of the Year.

In the 2013–14 season, Åberg transferred to play for fellow SHL club, Färjestad BK.

Nashville Predators After signing an entry-level contract with the Predators, he began his first North American season in 2014–15 season playing for the Predators American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In the 2016–17 NHL season Åberg appeared in 15 regular season games posting 1 goal and 1 assist with the Predators. In the AHL Åberg was effective potting 31 goals in just 56 games with the Admirals. After Ryan Johansen went down in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and it was announced that Johansen would be out for the remainder of the playoffs, and with Predators captain Mike Fisher being sidelined as well, the Predators called upon Colton Sissons and Åberg to help carry the offensive load. In Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena, Åberg assisted 2 of Sissons' 3 goals to help the Predators advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals.

On 18 July 2017, the Predators re-signed Aberg to a two-year, $1.3 million contract worth $650,000 annually.

Edmonton Oilers In the 2017–18 season, at the NHL trade deadline on 25 February 2018, Åberg was dealt by the Predators to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Mark Letestu. He made his Oilers debut on 27 February against the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first point as an Oiler in his debut with an assist on a goal from Jesse Puljujärvi, in a 5–2 loss to the Sharks. In remaining with the Oilers to play out the season, Åberg contributed with 2 goals and 8 points in 16 games.

Anaheim Ducks After attending the Oilers 2018 training camp, Åberg was unable to retain his roster spot approaching the 2018–19 season. On 1 October 2018, he was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. He made his debut with the Ducks in an opening night 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on 3 October 2018. After a brief stint with AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, Åberg returned to the Ducks scoring two goals in consecutive games on 28 and 30 October against the Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers. Through 37 games with the Ducks, Åberg had already eclipsed career highs offensively, placing second on the team with 11 goals and recording 19 points before he was relegated as a healthy scratch through a franchise record losing streak.

Minnesota Wild On 16 January 2019, Åberg's tenure with the Ducks ended as he was dealt to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Kloos. On 25 June 2019, Åberg was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs On 24 July 2019, Åberg signed as a free agent to a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the remainder of the AHL season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Åberg as an impending restricted free agent returned to his native Sweden.

Traktor Chelyabinsk Left off the Maple Leafs return to play training camp roster, Åberg effectively left the NHL by signing a one-year contract with the Russian club, Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on 13 July 2020. On 25 August 2020, Åberg's NHL rights were included in a six player trade by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Kasperi Kapanen and Jesper Lindgren, in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, David Warsofsky, Filip Hållander and the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Åberg continued in the KHL for the duration of the 2020–21 season, where in 49 games he had 10 goals and 23 points for Traktor.

Ottawa Senators After his lone season in Russia, Åberg returned to the NHL as a free agent, securing a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadian club, the Ottawa Senators, on 29 July 2021.

Return to Europe Åberg as a free agent from the Senators immediately opted to return to his native Sweden, signing for the remainder of the season with Timrå IK of the SHL on 7 December 2021.

After helping the club avoid relegation, Åberg left Timrå in the off-season and initially joined the Czech club, BK Mladá Boleslav of the Czech Extraliga (ELH) on 15 June 2022. In the following 2022–23 season, Åberg registered 3 goals and 13 points through 26 games before opting to conclude his contract to continue his journeyman career, in joining Swiss club, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the National League (NL), for the remainder of the season on 10 December 2022.

Åberg having left Switzerland after his contract, opted to return to the KHL, by agreeing to a one-year contract with Kazakh-based club, Barys Astana for the 2023–24 season on 1 July 2023.

After a lone season with Barys, Åberg returned for a second tenure with his previous club, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, in agreeing to an option two-year contract on 15 July 2024.

On 21 January 2025, Åberg agreed to be released from his contract with the Lakers, as the team's excess of import players meant that he had trouble getting into the lineup. He was immediately signed by rival National League club EHC Kloten.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2008–09 Djurgårdens IF J18 165384 ————— 2008–09 Djurgårdens IF J18 Allsv 111014 ————— 2009–10 Djurgårdens IF J18 2222173916 ————— 2009–10 Djurgårdens IF J18 Allsv 14716238 547114 2009–10 Djurgårdens IF J20 110114 ————— 2010–11 Djurgårdens IF J18 586142 ————— 2010–11 Djurgårdens IF J18 Allsv 331425 30222 2010–11 Djurgårdens IF J20 4113173016 42352 2010–11 Djurgårdens IF SEL 10000 ————— 2011–12 Djurgårdens IF SEL 4787156 ————— 2012–13 Djurgårdens IF Allsv 521228406 63142 2013–14 Färjestad BK SHL 5215163141 132244 2014–15 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 6916183428 ————— 2015–16 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 7425154032 30000 2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL ————— 20000 2016–17 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 5631215240 ————— 2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 151124 162352 2017–18 Nashville Predators NHL 372688 ————— 2017–18 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 442616 ————— 2017–18 Edmonton Oilers NHL 162682 ————— 2018–19 Anaheim Ducks NHL 371181914 ————— 2018–19 San Diego Gulls AHL 21124 ————— 2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 221566 ————— 2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 5520244436 ————— 2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 50110 ————— 2020–21 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 4910132334 50002 2021–22 Belleville Senators AHL 1729116 ————— 2021–22 Timrå IK SHL 24561136 ————— 2022–23 BK Mladá Boleslav ELH 263101316 ————— 2022–23 SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers NL 221012222 61012 2023–24 Barys Astana KHL 6417203724 ————— SHL totals 12428295783 132244 NHL totals 13217274434 182352 KHL totals 11327336058 50002

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2010 Sweden U17 6 2 0 2 4 2010 Sweden IH18 5 5 2 7 — Junior totals 11 7 2 9 4