900-Game NHL Defenseman Announces His Retirement From Professional Hockey to Coach Women's Soccer
On Wednesday, it was announced via Instagram that former Maple Leafs draft pick and NHL defenseman Anton Stralman has retired from playing professional hockey.
Stralman, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round, 216th overall in 2005, enjoyed a solid NHL career spread throughout seven NHL teams including the Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, and the Boston Bruins. Known more for his offensive skillset, Stralman put together 63 goals and 230 assists in 938 games often playing in a Top-4 role and being the heart and soul of the defense. His best season came with the Tampa Bay Lightning where he scored 39 points in his first and only season where he played all 82 games. After spending two seasons in Toronto, Stralman was traded to Calgary for Wayne Primeau but then shipped to Columbus a couple of months later.
After heading back to Sweden at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season, he played one year with HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League, where he played alongside former NHLers Nick Shore, and Henrik Borgstrom as well as Seattle Kraken prospect Oscar Fisker-Molgaard.
Stralman will now take his talents to coaching Skultorps IF, a Swedish female soccer club based in Skövde, Sweden. Stralman is no stranger to the game, as he was seen practicing in previous years with the Tampa Bay Rowdies:
Here's a look at Stralman as a member of the Skultorps IF coaching team:
Congratulations on your NHL career and retirement Anton! Best of luck in the footballing world!
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