Mikael Tjälldén (born February 16, 1975) is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played throughout Europe and in North American minor leagues.
As a junior player, Tjälldén represented àngermanland in the 1990 TV-Pucken. àngermanland won the silver medal, losing to SkÃÂ¥ne in the final.
Tjälldén began his professional career in 1990 with home town club SollefteÃÂ¥ HK in Division 1, whilst also playing Junior hockey for Modo. Following the culmination of the 1992-93 season, Tjälldén was selected in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 67th overall by the Florida Panthers. Tjälldén then moved to TimrÃÂ¥ IK, also of Division 1, where he played for 3 seasons. Following his time in TimrÃÂ¥, for the 1996-97 season Tjälldén moved up to the SHL and played for Västra Frölunda HC.
Tjälldén moved to North America for the 1997-98 season to play for the Panthers ECHL affiliate team, the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks. During this season, he also dressed 3 times for the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. Following his year in North America, Tjälldén returned to Europe this time playing for SM-Liiga outfit Lukko in Finland, as well as Italian Serie A side Asiago.
Tjälldén then moved to the United Kingdom in order to play for the Newcastle Riverkings of the BISL for the 1999-00 season. Tjälldén would stay in the UK for the following season, dressing for the London Knights of the same league. Tjälldén then returned to Sweden to play for SkellefteÃÂ¥ AIK in the Allsvenskan for the 2001-02 season.
Tjälldén then moved to Norway to compete for Eliteserien side Storhamar. He would go on to play for the team for 4 years, winning the Eliteserien during the 2002-03 season. On December 13, 2005 whilst playing for Storhamar against VÃÂ¥lerenga, Tjälldén was hit by which resulted in Tjälldén's helmet coming off. Tjälldén then fell, hitting his head on the ice, suffering a fractured skull and a brain bleed. Nervik was suspended for 4 games as a result of the hit. The incident effectively ended Tjälldén's hockey career.
Tjälldén represented Sweden in the 1993 IIHF European Junior Championships, and helped the team win gold with 5 assists in 6 games.