Linus Omark

Linus Omark
Born (1987-02-05) February 5, 1987
Övertorneå, Sweden
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
KHL team
Former teams		 Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Dynamo Moscow
EV Zug
Edmonton Oilers
Buffalo Sabres
Luleå HF
Jokerit
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 97th overall, 2007
Edmonton Oilers
Playing career 2005–present

Linus Karl Heimer Omark (born February 5, 1987) is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently with the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL . Prior to that, he has played for the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round, 97th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Omark began his professional hockey career in his native Sweden, playing for Luleå HF of the Elitserien. In 2008–09, Omark led Luleå in scoring with 23 goals and 55 points, good for third in the league. Following that successful campaign, Omark played one season with Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia. He scored 20 goals and 36 points in 56 games. Omark became known as a "YouTube sensation" for his creative scoring attempts,[1] which included a shootout goal where he flipped the puck over a sprawling Swiss goaltender Marco Bührer in a March 2009 international exhibition,[2] a between-the-legs goal in a game against Timrå IK[3] and a behind-the-net, lacrosse-style attempt versus Brynäs IF.[4]

Omark moved to North America for the 2010–11 season and, following his first training camp with the Oilers, during which he recorded three points in two exhibition matches, was assigned to the Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Omark drew attention when he blamed the demotion on "politics."[5][6] However, he had a successful start to the season, recording 13 goals and 26 points through his first 26 games with the Barons to lead the team in scoring. Five of those goals came in one game on November 7, 2010, when Omark scored five times against the Toronto Marlies and added another goal in a shootout to help the Barons to a 7–6 victory.[7] Omark admitted that although he was initially angry with the demotion, he took it as a learning experience and an opportunity to prove himself, channeling his emotions to work at improving his game.[8]

After injuries to Oilers forwards Aleš Hemský and Shawn Horcoff, Omark and fellow Barons teammate Ryan O'Marra were recalled on December 8, 2010.[9] Omark made his NHL debut on December 10 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 4–3 shootout win for the Oilers in which he recorded an assist and scored the clinching shootout goal.[10] His shootout goal drew widespread attention, as it featured a spin move at centre ice;[11] Lightning forward Simon Gagné called it "too much" while Gagné's teammate Martin St. Louis described it as a "slap in the face."[10][12] Oilers Head Coach Tom Renney defended Omark, telling those who did not like the move to "deal with it."[12] Omark scored his first NHL goal on December 16 against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, also recording two assists in the 6–3 Oilers victory.[13] By season's end, Omark had dressed for 51 games with the Oilers, recording five goals and 27 points. With the Oilers missing the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, Omark returned to Oklahoma City and finished with 14 goals and 31 points in 28 games. He added one goal and three points in the Barons' first round playoff loss.

After going pointless in five games, and scratched for five, Omark was demoted to the minors.

As a restricted free agent and unable to cement a position within the Oilers, Omark left the Oilers and agreed to a one-year contract with Swiss club EV Zug on August 29, 2012. In the 2012–13 season, due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Zug was further strengthened by the presence of Henrik Zetterberg and Damien Brunner. Forming the top offensive line of the National League A, Omark remained with the club for the duration of the season, finishing with 69 points in 48 games to lead the League.

On August 27, 2013, off the back of his successful season in Switzerland, Omark returned to the Oilers organization, signing a one-year, two-way contract.[14]

On December 19, 2013, the Buffalo Sabres acquired Omark from the Oilers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. On February 7, 2014, Omark was placed on waivers by the Sabres after scoring no goals and two assists in 13 games with the Sabres. He refused to report to the Rochester Americans, Buffalo's AHL affiliate, after clearing waivers,[15] prompting the Sabres to terminate his contract and place him on unconditional waivers (which he subsequently cleared). After the incident, Omark indicated he would return to Europe to continue his professional career.[16] On February 19, it was announced that Omark had re-joined his original club, Luleå HF, for the remainder of the season.[17]

International play
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
2010 Germany
2009 Switzerland

Omark has represented Sweden several times. He made his international debut with the junior team at the 2007 World Junior Championships in his native country, scoring five points in seven games to help Sweden to a fourth-place finish in the tournament. He made his senior international debut at the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. Omark recorded ten points in nine games as Sweden captured the bronze medal. He again represented his country at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany, and Sweden won another bronze medal with Omark recording four points.

Omark has represented Sweden several times. He made his international debut with the junior team at the 2007 World Junior Championships in his native country, scoring five points in seven games to help Sweden to a fourth-place finish in the tournament. He made his senior international debut at the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. Omark recorded ten points in nine games as Sweden captured the bronze medal. He again represented his country at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany, and Sweden won another bronze medal with Omark recording four points.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04 Luleå HF J20 10000 —————
2004–05 Luleå HF J20 32891744 74261
2005–06 Luleå HF J20 3222214356 512328
2005–06 Luleå HF SEL 1901110 30000
2006–07 Luleå HF SEL 50891732 41012
2007–08 Luleå HF SEL 5511213246 —————
2008–09 Luleå HF SEL 5323325566 50554
2009–10 HC Dynamo Moscow KHL 5620163634 40004
2010–11 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 2814173132 61234
2010–11 Edmonton Oilers NHL 515222726 —————
2011–12 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 18610168 —————
2011–12 Edmonton Oilers NHL 143038 —————
2012–13 EV Zug NLA 4817526940 1224612
2013–14 Oklahoma City Barons AHL 2914152918 —————
2013–14 Edmonton Oilers NHL 10000 —————
2013–14 Buffalo Sabres NHL 130226 —————
2013–14 Luleå HF SHL 51340 62350
2014–15 Jokerit KHL 6016304626 1036912
2015–16 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 6018395740 195111620
NHL totals 798243240 —————
KHL totals 1765485139100 338172536
SHL totals 1824366109154 1838116

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Sweden WJC 4th 72354
2009 Sweden WC 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 9281014
2010 Sweden WC 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 91348
Junior totals 72354
Senior totals 183111422

References

  1. ↑ "Oilers hope Omark sparks offence". Globe and Mail. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  2. ↑ "Linus Omark Amazing Goal Against Schweiz 31-03-09". YouTube. 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  3. ↑ "Linus Omark goal vs Timrå". YouTube. 2009-02-15. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  4. ↑ "Linus Omark zorro vs Brynäs". YouTube. 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  5. ↑ Jim Matheson (2010-10-04). "Oilers' Omark blames politics for getting cut". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  6. ↑ Cuts Day Interview (at 0:28) on YouTube
  7. ↑ "Omark scores 5 goals in regulation as Barons outlast Marlies". TSN. 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  8. ↑ "Oilers prospect Linus Omark and his dazzling skills getting a shot in NHL". The Hockey News. 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  9. ↑ "Oilers recall Linus Omark and Ryan O'Marra". Oilers.NHL.com. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  10. 1 2 "Surging Oilers top Lightning 4-3 in shootout". NHL.com. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  11. ↑ "Shootout goal vs. Tampa Bay". YouTube. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  12. 1 2 "Your Call: Do players have to earn the right to be 'flashy'?". TSN. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  13. ↑ "Omark and Eberle lead Oilers in victory over Blue Jackets". TSN. 2010-12-16. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  14. ↑ "Oilers agree to terms with Omark". Edmonton Oilers. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  15. ↑ Jafari, Mike (February 13, 2014). Omark Fails to Report to Rochester. WGR. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  16. ↑ Omark headed to Europe after released by Sabres. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Omark back in Lulea" (in Swedish). Luleå HF. 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
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