Niclas Bergfors
A Swedish sniper whose blistering shot propelled him to a first-round NHL draft pick and a promising, if peripatetic, professional career across three continents.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Swedish ice hockey player·Birthday: March 7·Millennials
Biography
Niclas Bergfors arrived in North America with the weight of expectation, selected in the first round of the deep 2005 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. The young Swede possessed a weapon coveted by every team: a quick, accurate wrist shot that could beat goaltenders clean. He showed flashes of that brilliance in New Jersey, but found himself part of the blockbuster trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to the Devils in 2010. This move to Atlanta began a pattern of transience that would define much of his career. Stops in Florida, Nashville, and then a long stint in Russia's KHL followed, where he became a consistent offensive threat for teams like Ak Bars Kazan. Bergfors's journey is that of a gifted scorer who adapted his game to succeed in multiple elite leagues, from the structured NHL to the wide-open KHL, always valued for his pure finishing ability.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Niclas was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Niclas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Niclas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the talent-rich 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
- Scored 21 goals in his rookie NHL season split between the New Jersey Devils and Atlanta Thrashers.
- Won a silver medal with Team Sweden at the 2014 IIHF World Championship.
- Played over 200 games in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), primarily for Ak Bars Kazan.
Did You Know?
He was traded from New Jersey to Atlanta in the multi-player deal that brought superstar Ilya Kovalchuk to the Devils.
He represented Sweden at multiple World Junior Championships before playing in the NHL.
His father, Anders Bergfors, was also a professional hockey player in Sweden.
He scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game for the New Jersey Devils.
“I just tried to shoot the puck every chance I got.”
