Erik Christensen

**Erik Christensen** (born December 17, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played parts of 7 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild. Outside of the NHL, Christensen played for HC Lev Praha of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Christensen is a one-time Le Mat Trophy champion, winning with HV71 in 2017.

## Career

Before playing in the NHL, Christensen played parts of five seasons with the Kamloops Blazers and one season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the teams. He was named to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game roster in 2002. He finished the 2002–03 season by scoring 54 goals and recording 54 assists for 108 points in 67 games. That season, he was named to the West First All-Star Team, CHL Second All-Star Team, and was awarded the Bobby Clarke Trophy for being the WHL's top scorer.

He was drafted 69th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2002 NHL entry draft. On November 1, 2005, Christensen made his NHL debut in a 4–3 overtime win over with the New Jersey Devils. Two days later on November 3, Perrin scored his first NHL goal against Rick DiPietro in a 5–1 win against the New York Islanders.

On February 26, 2008, the Penguins traded Christensen along with Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, and a 2008 first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Pascal Dupuis and Marian Hossa. He played parts of two seasons with the Thrashers, scoring 7 goals and recording 16 assists for 23 points.

On March 4, 2009, the Thrashers traded Christensen to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Eric O'Dell. He played parts of two seasons with the Ducks, scoring 2 goals and recording 7 assists for 9 points. On July 1, 2009, Christensen signed a one-year, $750,000 contract to stay with the Ducks.

On December 2, Christensen was picked up off waivers by the New York Rangers. On July 1, 2010, Christensen signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

On February 3, 2012, the Rangers traded Christensen along with a conditional 2013 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Casey Wellman. He scored 6 goals and recorded 1 assist in 29 games for the Wild.

On June 5, 2012, Christensen decided to leave North America and signed a two-year contract with HC Lev Praha of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He played parts of two seasons with the team. On October 22, 2013, Christensen moved to HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He played parts of four seasons with HV71 and won the Le Mat Trophy with them in 2017.

Christensen retired from playing professional ice hockey in 2017.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: Blues vs. Rangers-8798 (6543670271).jpg
- **caption**: Christensen during his time with the Rangers on December 15, 2011
- **position**: Centre (ice hockey), Centre
- **shoots**: Left
- **birth place**: Edmonton, Alberta
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 1
- **weight lb**: 203
- **played for**: Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta Thrashers
Anaheim Ducks
New York Rangers
Minnesota Wild
HC Lev Praha
HV71
- **draft**: 69th overall
- **draft year**: 2002
- **draft team**: Pittsburgh Penguins
- **career start**: 2004
- **career end**: 2017