Viktor Fasth

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Viktor Fasth
Viktor Fasth with the Edmonton Oilers in September 2014
Born (1982-08-08) 8 August 1982 (age 41)
Kalix, Sweden
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for AIK
Anaheim Ducks
Edmonton Oilers
CSKA Moscow
Växjö Lakers
National team  Sweden
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2007–2021

Erik Sixten Viktor Fasth (born 8 August 1982) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey goaltender who last played for the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).[1] Fasth had his international breakthrough during the 2010–11 season, after signing with Stockholm team AIK in the SHL.

Playing career[edit]

Division 2 to HockeyAllsvenskan[edit]

Viktor Fasth was born in Kalix, but grew up in Vänersborg. As an 18-year-old goaltender, Fasth played with the Brooklyn Tigers (a youth affiliate connected to Luleå HF[2]) in the Swedish Division 2, the fourth-tier league. The following season he played with Vänersborgs HC in the third-tier league Division 1. The following season, in 2002–03, he turned to Tvåstad Cobras HC to return to Division 2. Tvåstad became promoted to Division 1 that season, and Fasth continued to play for them in the 2003–04 season. However, the Tvåstad Cobras HC team was shut down after the 2003–04 season due to financial problems,[3] and Fasth therefore moved to play in Tingsryds AIF in Division 1 for three seasons. In his 2006–07 season with Tingsryd he was the third best goaltender in Division 1F, with a 92.47% save percentage in 33 games. His biggest success with the team came in that season, when he helped the team reach the Kvalserien qualification for HockeyAllsvenskan for the first time since their relegation to Division 1 in the 2002–03 season. However, the team finished fourth in the qualification and thus remained in Division 1.

Fasth then signed with Växjö Lakers Hockey in the 2007–08 season, at that time in the second-tier league HockeyAllsvenskan, and played there for three seasons. He played well in all of these seasons, placing, in save percentage, second in the 2007–08 season and first in the 2009–10 season.

Elitserien[edit]

Viktor Fasth with AIK

After a successful 2009–10 season, which ended with play in the Kvalserien qualification for Sweden's top-tier league Elitserien (SHL), he signed a one-year contract with Elitserien newcomers AIK to make his debut season in Elitserien, the top ice hockey league in Sweden. He was set to be the team's backup goaltender, but injury problems for Christopher Heino-Lindberg forced AIK to start Viktor Fasth. Playing in 42 games, he posted an impressive 92.45% save percentage and placed third in the leading goaltenders league for save percentage. He significantly contributed to AIK's success that season, reaching the semifinals in the playoffs, where they were eliminated by Färjestad BK in four games. Viktor Fasth received both the Honken Trophy award and the Guldpucken (Golden Puck) award. In February 2011, Fasth extended his contract with the team by 2 years, which meant the contract was expected to expire after the 2012–13 season.[4]

Fasth continued to impress in the 2011–12 season. Once again he finished third in save percentage at 93.14% and he was subsequently awarded the Honken Trophy for the second year in a row. In the playoffs, he continued to shut the door, and he and AIK managed to repeat the 2010–11 success, advancing to the semifinals, where they once again were eliminated, this time in seven games against Skellefteå AIK.

National Hockey League[edit]

On 21 May 2012, Fasth signed a 1-year, one-way $1 million USD deal with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).[5][6]

On 20 September 2012, due to the ongoing 2012–13 NHL lockout, Fasth signed to play with his former team Tingsryds AIF of the HockeyAllsvenskan (Swe-2). Fasth played in 12 games for the team, registering an impressive 94.17% save percentage and a 1.68 goals against average (GAA).[7]

In his NHL debut on 26 January 2013, Fasth led the Ducks to a 3–2 shootout victory over the Nashville Predators. Fasth stopped 19 of the 21 shots sent his way, and prevented the Predators from finding the net in the shootout with Martin Erat hitting the crossbar, Fasth stopping Mike Fisher's shot, and then swatting the puck out of the air from David Legwand. Corey Perry scored the game-winning goal for the Ducks in the shootout. Fasth found early success in the NHL, starting the season 8–0–0 – the best start by a goaltender in the regular season as a starter since Ray Emery of the Ottawa Senators won his first nine games between the end of 2002–03 and the beginning of the 2003–04 season. Fasth eventually ended the streak in his ninth start on 25 February 2013, with a 2–5 loss against the Los Angeles Kings on the road, also ending a six-game winning streak for the Ducks. With the loss, Fasth failed to match Ray Emery's streak.[8] Fasth further helped the Ducks advance to an 11–2–1 record, their best start since their Stanley Cup-winning 2006–07 season. Fasth finished the regular season with a 15–6–2 record; the Ducks finished with a 30–12–6 record and qualified for the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Ducks were eliminated in the Conference Quarterfinals by the Detroit Red Wings in seven games, with Fasth not playing in any of these games as the backup to Jonas Hiller.

The following year, Fasth was injured early in the season. On 4 March 2014, Fasth was traded by the Ducks to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fifth and a third round pick in the 2014 and 2015 NHL Entry Draft, respectively. This gave him the chance to compete for the number one job against goalie Ben Scrivens.[9]

Kontinental Hockey League[edit]

On 9 July 2015, Fasth agreed to terms on an initial one-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).[10] Fasth provided an immediate stability to CSKA and was extended for a further season. Over his two seasons in the KHL with CSKA, Fasth won 28 of his 41 games.

Return to Sweden[edit]

As a free agent following the 2016–17 season, Fasth opted to return to his homeland and agreed to a second stint with Växjö Lakers, who were promoted to the SHL in his absence from leaving the club in 2010. He signed a three-year contract on May 1, 2017.[11]

International play[edit]


Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Germany/France
Silver medal – second place 2011 Slovakia

After goaltender Stefan Liv declined playing for Sweden in the 2011 World Championship,[12] Fasth was given a chance to play for the Swedish national team. Fasth made his debut for Sweden on 6 April 2011, in an exhibition game against Germany.[13] In the World Championship tournament he helped Sweden reach the final and led the leading goaltenders league until the gold medal game against Finland. However, Sweden lost the final and Fasth allowed 6 goals out of 32 shots in that game, and Fasth therefore landed second in the leading goaltenders league, with a 94.57% save percentage in 7 games and three shutouts, as well as a 1.71 GAA. Despite the loss, Fasth was named the tournament's MVP (most valuable player) and best goaltender. He was also selected to the tournament's All-Star Team.

At the 2012 World Championship, Fasth was once again the starting goaltender for the Swedish national team. However, Sweden was eliminated in the quarterfinal against the Czech Republic. In 6 games, Fasth recorded a 90.21% save percentage and a 2.34 GAA; he placed 11th in the save percentage rankings.

Personal life[edit]

Fasth is the son of Kenteric Fasth, a former goaltender who played for IFK Vänersborg in the then third-tier Division 2.[14] Fasth lives with his wife Linda Bäcktorp.[15] Linda gave birth to a daughter in July 2011.[16]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2007–08 Växjö Lakers Allsv 30 18 10 1 1681 63 2 2.25 .926 3 1 2 178 11 0 3.72 .876
2008–09 Växjö Lakers Allsv 9 7 2 0 553 28 1 3.04 .921 — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Växjö Lakers Allsv 23 16 5 0 1311 47 4 2.15 .930 — — — — — — — —
2010–11 AIK SEL 42 20 15 7 2473 93 2 2.26 .924 8 4 4 472 14 1 1.78 .945
2011–12 AIK SEL 46 19 17 8 2683 95 5 2.12 .931 12 7 5 752 35 1 2.79 .921
2012–13 Tingsryds AIF Allsv 12 4 7 0 677 19 1 1.68 .942 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Anaheim Ducks NHL 25 15 6 2 1428 52 4 2.18 .921 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Norfolk Admirals AHL 3 1 2 0 183 6 0 1.96 .914 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Anaheim Ducks NHL 5 2 2 1 305 15 0 2.95 .885 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Norfolk Admirals AHL 5 3 2 0 275 11 0 2.40 .922 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Edmonton Oilers NHL 7 3 3 1 396 18 0 2.73 .914 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 Edmonton Oilers NHL 26 6 15 3 1336 76 0 3.41 .888 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 CSKA Moscow KHL 20 13 4 1 1122 31 3 1.66 .921 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 CSKA Moscow KHL 21 15 2 2 1169 33 4 1.69 .929 4 1 2 179 8 0 2.68 .899
2017–18 Växjö Lakers SHL 33 21 6 5 1937 65 6 2.01 .918 9 7 1 503 12 3 1.43 .934
2018–19 Växjö Lakers SHL 35 16 15 3 2082 69 4 1.99 .918 4 2 2 249 11 0 2.65 .892
2019–20 Växjö Lakers SHL 24 11 12 0 1311 55 1 2.52 .907 — — — — — — — —
2020–21 Växjö Lakers SHL 31 22 9 0 1877 56 5 1.79 .933 5 4 0 288 10 1 2.08 .926
NHL totals 63 26 26 7 3466 161 4 2.79 .904 — — — — — — — —

International[edit]

Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2011 Sweden WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 6 1 0 420 12 3 1.71 .946
2012 Sweden WC 6th 6 4 2 0 360 14 2 2.34 .902
2016 Sweden WC 6th 2 2 0 0 120 5 0 2.50 .902
2017 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 2 2 0 244 9 0 2.21 .906
2018 Sweden OG 5th 3 2 1 0 182 5 1 1.65 .918
2021 Sweden WC 9th 2 1 1 0 118 5 0 2.54 .861
Senior totals 24 17 7 0 1,344 50 6 2.16 .906

Awards and honours[edit]

Award Year
SHL
Le Mat Trophy (Växjö Lakers) 2018, 2021 [17][18]
Honken Trophy 2018, 2021

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Beskedet: Fasth avslutar karriären".
  2. ^ "Brooklyn Tigers Unga HF | laget.se". www.laget.se. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Tvåstad Cobras lägger ned sitt A-lag" (in Swedish). Kristianstadsbladet. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Fasth stannar i AIK" (in Swedish). AIK IF. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  5. ^ Darren Dreger (21 May 2012). "Fasth Signs with Ducks". Twitter. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Ducks Sign Fasth to One-Year Contract". ducks.nhl.com. Anaheim Ducks. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  7. ^ Sjögren, Patrik (20 September 2012). "Viktor Fasth klar för allsvenska Tingsryd". Sportbladet. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  8. ^ Bjurman, Per (26 February 2013). "Åtta raka – sedan sprack sviten". Sportbladet. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Oilers acquire G Fasth". The Sports Network. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  10. ^ Fox, Luke (9 July 2015). "Fedorov signs ex-Oiler Viktor Fasth to KHL". Sportsnet. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Victor Fasth returns to Vaxjo Lakers" (in Swedish). Växjö Lakers. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Stefan Liv tackar nej till VM" (in Swedish). Jnytt. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  13. ^ "Viktor Fasth efter Tre Kronor-debuten: "En pojkdröm som gick i uppfyllelse"" (in Swedish). Hockeykanalen. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  14. ^ Ulf Thuresson (16 March 2011). "Viktors fantastiska viktoria" (in Swedish). Ttela. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  15. ^ Alf Karlsson (20 April 2011). "Viktor Fasth: "Värsta tiden i mitt hockeyliv"". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  16. ^ Emil Karlsson (30 July 2011). "– Svensson är den nye Fasth". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  17. ^ "Lakers dominant in SHL title win". eurohockeyclubs.com. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Vaxjo go 3-for-3 in SHL finals". International Ice Hockey Federation. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Honken Trophy
2011, 2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the Guldpucken
2011 		Succeeded by
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