Marcus Kruger

**Marcus Kruger** (born on May 27, 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish professional ice hockey centreman who is currently playing for the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL).

Marcus was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round (149th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015.

## Playing Career

### Sweden

On October 18, 2009, Marcus was announced as the first of four nominees for the 2009–10 Elitserien Rookie of the Year on after beginning the season with five goals and 11 assists in just 13 games.

### Chicago Blackhawks

In June of 2010, Marcus signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, but he opted to stay with Djurgården during the first year of the contract.

He was later recalled from Djurgården to Chicago on March 23, 2011. His first full season with the Blackhawks was in the 2011–12 season when he played in 71 games with the club, scoring nine goals and adding 17 assists.

On April 9, 2013, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarter-finals, Marcus scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal, which happened to be the game winner, against Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding. The Blackhawks eventually won the 2013 Stanley Cup with Krüger contributing three goals during the team's run.

After his playoff success with the team, he signed a two-year extension with the Blackhawks on July 12, 2013.

Marcus scored eight goals along with 20 assists in 81 games for Chicago during the 2013–14 NHL season. On May 19, 2015, he scored the game winning triple overtime away goal to tie the Western Conference finals 1–1 against the Anaheim Ducks.

On September 11, 2015, Marcus signed a one-year, 1.5 million dollar contract to stay with the Blackhawks for the 2015–16 season. On December 17, 2015, he dislocated his wrist in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. He was projected to miss at-least four months while recovering from the injury.

On February 27, 2016 the Blackhawks announced that Marcus would be switching his number to 22 in order for his new teammate acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, Andrew Ladd to keep his traditional number 16.

On March 9, 2016, the Blackhawks signed Marcus to a three-year, $9.25 million contract extension that runs through the 2018–19 season.

### Carolina Hurricanes

After completing his seventh season with the Blackhawks, Marcus was long rumoured as a candidate to be traded away due to considerable salary cap constraints. With a reported deal to the Vegas Golden Knights pre-dating the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft for draft considerations, he surprisingly remained with Chicago through to the opening of free agency.

On July 2, 2017, Marcus was dealt by the Blackhawks to the Golden Knights in exchange for future considerations.

On July 4, 2017, he was then moved on by the Golden Knights in a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 5th-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He was placed on injured reserve by the Hurricanes on January 3, 2018 and placed on waivers on February 8, 2018.

### Return to Chicago

On May 3, 2018, Marcus was initially traded by the Hurricanes to the Arizona Coyotes along with a third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for forward Jordan Martinook and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

On July 12, 2018, he was then traded by the Coyotes back to the Blackhawks along with prospect MacKenzie Entwistle, Jordan Maletta & Andrew Campbell in a deal that sent the contract of Marian Hossa to the Coyotes (along with Vinnie Hinostroza, Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft).

### ZSC Lions

Following the 2018–19 season, Marcus ended his nine-year career in the NHL, returning to Europe as a free agent. On July 5, 2019, he signed a two-year contract with Swiss club, ZSC Lions of the NL.

## International Play

Marcus has represented Sweden three times in international play. At the junior level, he helped his country capture a bronze medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships.

After graduating to the senior level, he has played for Sweden twice, in 2011 (finishing with a silver medal) and 2012. He also represented Sweden in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

After several injuries to the team's centremen, Marcus played on Sweden's first line in the tournament final against Canada, which the Swedes lost, 3–0.