Swedish goalie Mikael Tellqvist, a mainstay in goal for Tre Kronor for nearly two decades, today announced his retirement from Djurgårdens IF, capping a 20 year career with stints in Sweden, Canada, Finland, Russia, Latvia and the United States.

Tellqvist began his career with Djurgårdens’ junior team in 1997, joining the senior team the following season (where he won consecutive league titles in 1999 and 2000), before being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2000 NHL Draft. After parts of five seasons with Toronto, Tellqvist was dealt to Phoenix, spending parts of three seasons with the Coyotes (plus six games in Buffalo) before returning to Europe in 2009. Tellqvist split a season between Kazan of the KHL and Lukko of the Finnish Liiga, splitting time again between Dinamo Rīga and MODO of the Swedish league before landing with Rīga for good in 2012. Tellqvist spent two years with Dinamo before returning to Djurgårdens for his final three seasons.

Tellqvist joined Tre Kronor’s senior roster at the 2000 World Championships in Russia, backstopping Sweden at four World Championships (2000, 2001, 2003, 2008) in his career. Tellqvist also suited up for the 2004 World Cup, and most famously at the 2006 Torino Olympics, where he backed up Henrik Lundqvist and helped Sweden to only their second Olympic Gold in history. Tellqvist also collected World Championship Silver in 2003 (he was in goal for Anson Carter’s infamous overtime winner for Canada) and Bronze in 2001.

Tellqvist won a total of seven IHLC titles during his career, his first in 2000 and last in 2009, ironically both as part of the Euro Hockey Tour in wins over Czechia. We wish Mikael and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: Expressen – IIHF – HHOF – IOC