Ulf Isaksson

Ulf Isaksson was a long time Swedish player who gave the NHL a shot in 1982-83 with the Los Angeles Kings.

A notable offensive player from AIK Solna, the 28 year old rookie could not complain about his initial NHL linemates. The Los Angeles Kings experimented with breaking up the famed Triple Crown line and moved left winger Charlie Simmer to another line. Isaksson go the first chance to play with Marcel Dionne and Dave Taylor.

Though he scored a goal in his very first game (against Vancouver's Richard Brodeur), the experiment did not last long. Isaksson struggled in his only NHL season. He ended up with just seven goals in 50 games. Steve Bozek took Isaksson's spot on the top line, just as he had done the previous year when he had a breakout campaign when Simmer was injured. Ultimately Simmer was reunited with his usual linemates.

Isaksson returned to Sweden to complete his storied career there. Twice he helped AIK Solna win league titles and twice he represented Sweden at the World Championships. That included 1981 when Sweden won the silver medal.

Sadly, Ulf Isaksson passed away on Christmas Day 2003 after what was said to be a long illness. He was just 49 years old.