| Eddie Läck | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Läck with theVancouver Canucks in 2013 | |||
| Born | (1988-01-05)5 January 1988 (age 37) Norrtälje, Sweden | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Leksands IF Brynäs IF Vancouver Canucks Carolina Hurricanes Calgary Flames New Jersey Devils | ||
| National team |  Sweden | ||
| NHL draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2006–2018 | ||
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
|---|---|
| 2019–2023 | Arizona State (assistant) |
Eddie Jan Läck (born 5 January 1988) is a Swedish former professionalice hockeygoaltender. He serves as an assistant head coach of theArizona State Sun Devils, and is also currently a real estate agent in the Scottsdale, Arizona region.[1] Läck, agoaltender, played in Sweden forLeksands IF of theHockeyAllsvenskan andBrynäs IF of theElitserien before moving to theNational Hockey League (NHL) where he played for theVancouver Canucks,Carolina Hurricanes,Calgary Flames andNew Jersey Devils. After going undrafted in the2009 NHL Entry Draft, he signed as afree agent with the Vancouver Canucks in 2010. He was assigned to theManitoba Moose in his first season with the Canucks organization and was named to theAmerican Hockey League's2010–11 All-Rookie Team. He is nicknamed "The Stork", in reference to his tall stature and long legs.[2] In October of 2024 Lack became a dual American citizen.[3]
Läck spent hisminor hockey career with his hometown team, Norrtälje IK. He also competed in twoTV-pucken tournaments – an annual under-16 national competition – withStockholm's second regional team.[4] He entered thejunior ranks withDjurgårdens IF's organization in 2004–05 and helped the club to a J18 Allsvenskan silver medal.[4] Two years later, he joinedLeksands IF at theJ20 level.[5]
Läck made his professional debut with Leksands IF's men's team in theHockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-highest league, appearing in three games in 2006–07. The following campaign, he appeared in 26 HockeyAllsvenskan games, recording a 1.96goals against average (GAA), while still seeing playing time in junior. In2008–09, he fully established himself with Leksands IF's professional team, outplaying former NHL goaltenderEd Belfour as the club's starter.[6] He posted a 2.02 GAA and .930save percentage in 32 games.[6]
Going into the2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was ranked ninth among European goaltenders by theNHL Central Scouting Bureau, but went unselected.[6] After three seasons with the Leksands IF organization, Läck moved up to theElitserien, Sweden's premiere league, signing a two-year contract withBrynäs IF on 6 July 2009.[4] He made his Elitserien debut on 17 October, relievingJacob Markström (who at the time was aFlorida Panthers prospect) near the end of the first period. He stopped all 18 shots he faced in a 3–2 loss toFärjestad BK.[4] Läck went on to play in 14 games as a backup to Markström, registering a 2.67 GAA and .911 save percentage.[6]
Läck's play garnered the attention ofVancouver Canucks scoutLars Lindgren[2] and in the off-season, he was signed by the Canucks to a two-year, entry-level contract on 6 April 2010.[7] He subsequently left Sweden to begin playing within the Canucks organization.[2] Assigned to theManitoba Moose, the Canucks'minor league affiliate, he made hisAmerican Hockey League (AHL) debut on 9 October, making 23 saves in a 5–2 win over theRockford IceHogs.[8] Competing for playing time with fellow Moose goaltenderTyler Weiman, Läck emerged as the team's starter, appearing in 53 games (28 wins, 21 losses and 4 overtime or shootout losses). With a 2.26 GAA (ranked seventh in the league) and .926 save percentage (fourth in the league),[9] Läck was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team.[10] During the2011 Calder Cup playoffs, he helped the Moose to the second round, recording a 1.99 GAA and .932 save percentage in 12 games. Following the Manitoba's elimination to theHamilton Bulldogs,[11] Läck was called up to the Canucks on 13 May 2011,[7] to travel and practice with the team as a playoff reserve.[12] Vancouver advanced to theStanley Cup Finals and lost to theBoston Bruins in seven games.
Positioned behindRoberto Luongo andCory Schneider (joint winners of the2010–11William M. Jennings Trophy) on the Canucks' depth chart, Läck was assigned to the AHL for a second season in2011–12. Due to theWinnipeg Jets' return to the NHL, the Moose franchise was relocated toSt. John's, Newfoundland; as a result, the Canucks switched their AHL affiliation to theChicago Wolves. Läck made his Wolves debut on 8 October 2011, stopping 31 of 33 shots in a 3–2 shootout loss to theSan Antonio Rampage. He recorded his first win and shutout with Chicago three games later on 21 October against the Rockford IceHogs.[13] The following month, Läck was called up by Vancouver after starting goaltender Roberto Luongo sustained an injury. He dressed for his first NHL game on 16 November 2011, backing up Cory Schneider in a loss against theChicago Blackhawks before being reassigned the following day.[7][14] He finished the season in Chicago posting a 21–20–3 record with a 2.31 GAA and a .925 save percentage. By season's end, he, along with backupMatt Climie, helped set a Wolves franchise record for lowest team goals against average at 2.54.[15] Läck's second season with the Wolves started slowly, as his numbers dropped significantly from the previous season. He had been playing with ahip flexor injury and a decision was made to rest him to allow the injury to heal.[16] The injury eventually required surgery which ended Läck's season.[17] He finished the year playing in 13 games posting a 7–4–1 record with a 3.00 GAA and an .899 save percentage.
Läck was named the Canucks' backup goaltender to start the2013–14 season, and made his first appearance – and recorded his first win – on 6 October 2013, with a 5–4 overtime win against theCalgary Flames.[18] On 15 November, despite Läck having only made five NHL appearances to date, the Canucks re-signed him to a two-year contract extension worth a total of U.S.$2.3 million.[19] He would record his first NHL shutout in his home ice debut against theCarolina Hurricanes on 9 December 2013.[20]
On 4 March 2014, starting goaltenderRoberto Luongo was traded to theFlorida Panthers, along with minor leaguer Steven Anthony, for Swedish goaltenderJacob Markström and forwardShawn Matthias, making Läck and Markström (who played together forBrynäs IF) the goaltending tandem for the Canucks, and making Läck an NHL starter for the first time in his career. That summer, however, the Canucks signedRyan Miller as their starter, but when Miller was hurt in late February 2015, Läck excelled and allowed the Canucks to maintain their playoff position, even starting the Canucks' first few playoff games. Läck recorded his first Stanley Cup playoff victory 17 April 2015, with a 4–1 victory over the Calgary Flames. Läck remained in net until he was pulled in Game 4 in Calgary, at which point Miller returned. The Canucks went on to lose their first-round matchup with Calgary in 6 games.
On 27 June 2015, Läck was traded to theCarolina Hurricanes at the2015 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for a 2015 third round pick and a 2016 seventh round pick.[21] Prior to making his debut with the Hurricanes, he was signed to a two-year $5.5 million contract extension through to 2018 on 3 October 2015.[22]
On 29 June 2017, Läck was traded by the Hurricanes along withRyan Murphy and a2019 seventh-round pick to theCalgary Flames in exchange for prospect Keegan Kanzig and a sixth-round pick in 2019.[23] On 23 November 2017, Läck was placed on waivers by the Flames with the intention of assigning him to the Flames' AHL affiliate, theStockton Heat.[24] He was later assigned to the Heat on 24 November 2017.[25]
On 30 December 2017, Läck was traded to theNew Jersey Devils in exchange for defencemanDalton Prout, and was immediately assigned to the team's AHL affiliate, theBinghamton Devils.[26] He was recalled to the NHL on 4 February 2018, to replaceKen Appleby, and made his first start as a Devil on 11 February against theBoston Bruins.[27] On 17 February 2018, Läck made a career-high 48 saves in a 4–3 win over theTampa Bay Lightning.[28]
Läck did not play any games for New Jersey during the2018–19 season, only skating in a mere six games for Binghamton. He underwent hip surgery in December, effectively ending his season.[29]
On 30 March 2020, Läck announced his retirement from professional hockey following a hiatus.[30]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Sweden | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 2017 Germany/France | |
Läck was added to theSwedish national team in preparation for the2017 IIHF World Championship inGermany/France.[31] Originally slated in the backup role toViktor Fasth, Läck made his international debut in the round-robin stage, posting a 19-save shutout in a 2–0 victory overLatvia on 11 May 2017.[32] With the addition of starting goaltenderHenrik Lundqvist to the roster mid-tournament, Läck was subsequently demoted as Sweden's third-choice. He didn't add to his debut game as Sweden claimed the gold medal in a 2–1 shootout victory overCanada on 21 May 2017.
On 14 August 2019, Läck announced that he would be taking a break from playing ice hockey to focus on rehabbing his hip injury, and accepted a position as goaltender coach forArizona State University.[33][34]
Lack is now living inScottsdale, Arizona with his wife Johanna, where he is also a real estate agent.[35]
Läck was a big goaltender who used his size to his advantage looking through traffic to see the puck, and aggressively challenging shooters.[2] Despite his size he had good lateral movement, covered the bottom of the net well,[2] had good balance, and was positionally sound.[6]
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2004–05 | Djurgårdens IF | J20 | 1 | — | — | — | 60 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 | .872 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Djurgårdens IF | J20 | 23 | — | — | — | 1,400 | 49 | 3 | 2.10 | .918 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Leksands IF | J20 | 30 | — | — | — | 1,781 | 85 | 0 | 2.86 | .919 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Leksand IF | SWE-2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 3.10 | .867 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 3.06 | .893 | ||
| 2007–08 | Leksand IF | J20 | 18 | — | — | — | 1,077 | 47 | 4 | 2.62 | .912 | 3 | — | — | 179 | 8 | 0 | 2.68 | .925 | ||
| 2007–08 | Leksand IF | SWE-2 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1,441 | 45 | 4 | 1.87 | .923 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 5 | 0 | 3.39 | .792 | ||
| 2008–09 | Leksand IF | J20 | 2 | — | — | — | 120 | 4 | 1 | 2.00 | .900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Leksand IF | SWE-2 | 32 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 1,905 | 64 | 4 | 2.02 | .930 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 355 | 14 | 0 | 2.36 | .903 | ||
| 2009–10 | Brynäs IF | J20 | 6 | — | — | — | 359 | 21 | 0 | 3.51 | .884 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Brynäs IF | SEL | 14 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 809 | 36 | 0 | 2.67 | .911 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 79 | 2 | 0 | 1.53 | .946 | ||
| 2010–11 | Manitoba Moose | AHL | 53 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 3,135 | 118 | 5 | 2.26 | .926 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 752 | 25 | 2 | 1.99 | .932 | ||
| 2011–12 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 46 | 21 | 20 | 3 | 2,703 | 104 | 4 | 2.31 | .925 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 304 | 11 | 0 | 2.17 | .917 | ||
| 2012–13 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 13 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 760 | 38 | 1 | 3.00 | .899 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 41 | 16 | 17 | 5 | 2,319 | 93 | 4 | 2.41 | .912 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 41 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 2,324 | 95 | 2 | 2.45 | .921 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 198 | 10 | 0 | 3.03 | .886 | ||
| 2015–16 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 34 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 1,921 | 90 | 2 | 2.81 | .901 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 20 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1,090 | 48 | 1 | 2.64 | .902 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Charlotte Checkers | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 3 | 0 | 1.50 | .952 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 136 | 12 | 0 | 5.29 | .813 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Stockton Heat | AHL | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 303 | 13 | 0 | 2.57 | .916 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Binghamton Devils | AHL | 16 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 973 | 47 | 0 | 2.90 | .889 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 207 | 11 | 0 | 3.18 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Binghamton Devils | AHL | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 351 | 24 | 0 | 4.10 | .863 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| SHL totals | 14 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 809 | 36 | 0 | 2.67 | .911 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 79 | 2 | 0 | 1.53 | .946 | ||||
| NHL totals | 143 | 56 | 55 | 18 | 7,996 | 349 | 9 | 2.62 | .909 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 198 | 10 | 0 | 3.03 | .886 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Sweden | WC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 1.000 | |
| Senior totals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 1.000 | |||
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| AHL | ||
| All-Rookie Team | 2011 | |
