Pontus ÃÂ berg ( ; born 23 September 1993) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with ZSC Lions in the National League (NL). He was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 37th pick overall, by the Nashville Predators.
àberg represented team Stockholm at the Rikspucken, a national tournament in Sweden. He made his Elitserien debut during the 2010âÂÂ11 season, as an extra forward in the second game of the season against Modo Hockey, but did not get any time on the ice. àberg extended his contract with DjurgÃÂ¥rden to the 2013âÂÂ14 season in May 2011. àberg played a total of five games, scoring two points in the 2011 edition of the pre-season tournament European Trophy. àberg received his first time on the ice in an Elitserien game and also scored his first goal in Elitserien in the league premier against HV71 on 15 September 2011. He scored the game-winning goal in the shootouts against Färjestad BK on 29 September 2011.
After a start to the 2011âÂÂ12 Elitserien season that included getting five goals and three assists in the first fourteen games, àberg was announced to be the first of four candidates for that season's Elitserien Rookie of the Year.
In the 2013âÂÂ14 season, àberg transferred to play for fellow SHL club, Färjestad BK.
After signing an entry-level contract with the Predators, he began his first North American season in 2014âÂÂ15 season playing for the Predators American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In the 2016âÂÂ17 NHL season àberg appeared in 15 regular season games posting 1 goal and 1 assist with the Predators. In the AHL àberg was effective potting 31 goals in just 56 games with the Admirals. After Ryan Johansen went down in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and it was announced that Johansen would be out for the remainder of the playoffs, and with Predators captain Mike Fisher being sidelined as well, the Predators called upon Colton Sissons and àberg to help carry the offensive load. In game 5 àberg scored the game-winning goal in Anaheim in a 3âÂÂ1 win to give the Predators a 3âÂÂ2 series lead. In Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena, àberg assisted 2 of Sissons' 3 goals to help the Predators advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals.
On 18 July 2017, the Predators re-signed Aberg to a two-year, $1.3 million contract worth $650,000 annually. During his time with the Predators', he was given the nickname "The Pope".
In the 2017âÂÂ18 season, at the NHL trade deadline on 25 February 2018, àberg was dealt by the Predators to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Mark Letestu. He made his Oilers debut on 27 February against the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first point as an Oiler in his debut with an assist on a goal from Jesse Puljujärvi, in a 5âÂÂ2 loss to the Sharks. In remaining with the Oilers to play out the season, àberg contributed with 2 goals and 8 points in 16 games.
After attending the Oilers 2018 training camp, àberg was unable to retain his roster spot approaching the 2018âÂÂ19 season. On 1 October 2018, he was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. He made his debut with the Ducks in an opening night 5âÂÂ2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on 3 October 2018. After a brief stint with AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, àberg returned to the Ducks scoring two goals in consecutive games on 28 and 30 October against the Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers. Through 37 games with the Ducks, àberg had already eclipsed career highs offensively, placing second on the team with 11 goals and recording 19 points before he was relegated as a healthy scratch through a franchise record losing streak.
On 16 January 2019, ÃÂ berg's tenure with the Ducks ended as he was dealt to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Kloos. ÃÂ berg was unable to replicate his offensive pace with the Wild, remaining on the roster through the conclusion of the regular season to post 1 goal and 6 points in 22 games. On 25 June 2019, ÃÂ berg was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.
On 24 July 2019, àberg signed as a free agent to a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the 2019âÂÂ20 season, àberg was primarily assigned to AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He was productive with the Marlies, registering 20 goals and 44 points in 55 games while making just 5 appearances with the Maple Leafs adding 1 assist. With the remainder of the AHL season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, àberg as an impending restricted free agent returned to his native Sweden.
Left off the Maple Leafs return to play training camp roster, àberg effectively left the NHL by signing a one-year contract with the Russian club, Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on 13 July 2020. On 25 August 2020, àberg's NHL rights were included in a six player trade by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Kasperi Kapanen and Jesper Lindgren, in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, David Warsofsky, Filip HÃÂ¥llander and the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. àberg continued in the KHL for the duration of the 2020âÂÂ21 season, where in 49 games he had 10 goals and 23 points for Traktor.
After his lone season in Russia, ÃÂ berg returned to the NHL as a free agent, securing a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadian club, the Ottawa Senators, on 29 July 2021. After attending the Senators 2021 training camp, ÃÂ berg failed to make the opening night roster and was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the season.
ÃÂ berg collected 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points through 17 games with Belleville. Unable to earn a recall to Ottawa, on 6 December 2021, he was placed on unconditional waivers to mutually terminate the remainder of his contract with the Senators.
ÃÂ berg as a free agent from the Senators immediately opted to return to his native Sweden, signing for the remainder of the season with TimrÃÂ¥ IK of the SHL on 7 December 2021.
After helping the club avoid relegation, àberg left TimrÃÂ¥ in the off-season and initially joined the Czech club, BK Mladá Boleslav of the Czech Extraliga (ELH) on 15 June 2022. In the following 2022âÂÂ23 season, àberg registered 3 goals and 13 points through 26 games before opting to conclude his contract to continue his journeyman career, in joining Swiss club, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the National League (NL), for the remainder of the season on 10 December 2022.
àberg having left Switzerland after his contract, opted to return to the KHL, by agreeing to a one-year contract with Kazakh-based club, Barys Astana for the 2023âÂÂ24 season on 1 July 2023.
After a lone season with Barys, ÃÂ berg returned for a second tenure with his previous club, SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, in agreeing to an option two-year contract on 15 July 2024.
On 21 January 2025, ÃÂ berg agreed to be released from his contract with the Lakers, as the team's excess of import players meant that he had trouble getting into the lineup. He was immediately signed by rival National League club EHC Kloten.