Each NHL team’s most memorable hockey name
By C.L. Kohuss
Arizona Coyotes: Niklas Hjalmarsson
I can’t quite put my finger on why the last name always makes me hungry for a turkey sandwich. With mustard, no doubt.
Niklas Hjalmarsson. Hjalmarsson. Hjalmarsson. It’s like an ad for Swedish meatballs. Or a vacuum cleaner company ready to monopolize the market. We’re betting that at this point you aren’t even pronouncing it right. Maybe something along the lines of Hijjlohmason, which come to think of it would also make for an excellent brand name.
We’ll help you out. It’s pronounced…”Jalmarsson.” Got that?
Nik played his first season with the Coyotes this past year after spending the previous 10 years winning Cups as a defenseman with the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s also known for landing the boom, like this hit on David Backes.
That’s one hell of a marketing ploy. We’re not sure if a more formal business meeting could have been arranged but apparently it isn’t Hjalmarsson’s style. Best. Salesman. Ever. No billboards needed when players are staring up at the back of your jersey.
Our condolences to former ‘Yote Rob Klinkhammer, who might have the least intimidating name of all time for a guy whose handle literally consists of the word “hammer.” You just don’t go klinking around with work tools, we’re sorry.
Honorable mentions: Pavel Brendl, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Michal Handzus, Cliff Ronning and Juha Ylonen