Carl Gunnarsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on November 9, 1986, in Orebro, Sweden, and began playing hockey at a young age. Gunnarsson played for several teams in Sweden before being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Gunnarsson made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in the 2009-2010 season and quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. He played for the Maple Leafs for six seasons, during which he became known for his strong defensive play and ability to move the puck up the ice. Gunnarsson was also a key penalty killer for the Maple Leafs and was often relied upon to shut down the opposition's top players.
In 2014, Gunnarsson was traded to the St. Louis Blues, where he continued to be a valuable member of the team's defensive corps. He played for the Blues for seven seasons, during which he helped the team win their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Gunnarsson scored a crucial goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins, which helped the Blues secure a 4-2 victory.
Throughout his NHL career, Gunnarsson was known for his steady play and ability to make smart decisions with the puck. He was also a respected leader in the locker room and was often praised for his work ethic and professionalism. Despite suffering several injuries throughout his career, Gunnarsson remained a reliable and consistent player, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches.
In June 2021, Gunnarsson announced his retirement from professional hockey after 12 seasons in the NHL. He finished his career with 30 goals and 111 assists in 629 regular-season games, as well as 3 goals and 10 assists in 68 playoff games. Gunnarsson will be remembered as a hard-working and dependable defenseman who played an important role in the success of the teams he played for.
🏒