Meet the Chicago Blackhawks' Speedy New Forward Viktor Stalberg <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="slot"><img src="/images/pixel.gif"></span><strong><a href="http://www.committedindians.com" target="_self">Viktor Stalberg</a></strong>, F</p> <p style="text-align: center;">6’3 210 DOB: 01/17/1986</p> <p>Stalberg was acquired by the <a href="http://committedindians.com" target="_self">Chicago Blackhawks</a> this summer in the trade that sent <a href="http://committedindians.com" target="_self">Kris Versteeg</a> to the <a href="/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>, and is being viewed as (hopefully) his immediate replacement.</p> <p>Drafted in the 6th round (161st overall) by <a href="/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto</a> in 2006, Stalberg was one of the Leafs top prospects entering last year. In 2008-09 the Swedish-born forward posted 46 points (24 G, 22 A) in 39 games at the University of Vermont (where he was on the Hockey East All-Academic Team in 2007-08) before signing with the Leafs. He appeared in two playoffs games for the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, and tallied one assist.</p> <p>Last year Stalberg began the year with the Marlies and posted 33 points (12 G, 21 A) in 39 games in the AHL, but eventually saw time with the Leafs. In 40 <a href="/nhl">NHL</a> games last year, Stalberg scored nine goals and added five assists in 14:13 in average ice time. He was minus-13 for the NHL season, and added 30 penalty minutes in that brief action. Stalberg also contributed 64 hits and 18 blocked shots to the Leafs in those 40 games.</p> <p>More than anything else, Stalberg is known for his speed. His acceleration is elite, and he’s described has having a good shot and as a “natural sniper.” He’s effective on the forecheck and plays hard. He is less than four months older than Versteeg, five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier (according to the official roster). If the Hawks place him on a line with either Patrick Kane or Marian Hossa as the opposite wing, Stalberg could be set for a big season.</p>
National Basketball History By Jena Luthovski The history of what today is called the National Basketball Association (NBA) began in 1946. In 1946, it was called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league was mostly started by people who owned sports arenas in the United States, most importantly the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Earlier attempts had been made to start a league. There had been leagues like the American Basketball League and the National Basketball League. What made the BAA different from these leagues was they were going to play in large arenas in major cities. The early years were not good for BAA as the quality of play was not much better than competing leagues or the leading independent leagues like the Harlem Globetrotters. The Baltimore actually moved from the ABL and won the BAA title. The Minneapolis Lakers switched from the NBL to the BAA and won the BAA championship.
After the 1949 season, the BAA merged with the NBL and renamed the National Basketball
|
|
|
