Espen Knutsen (b. January 12, 1972 in Oslo) is a former Norwegian ice hockey player, and NHL-pro. In his native Norway, Knutsen is known also under his nickname "Shampoo" (his father is a hairdresser). He is 6 feet tall (183 cm), weighs 187 lb (85 kg), shoots left and played the centre position during his professional career. January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... County Oslo NO-03 District Viken Municipality NO-0301 Administrative centre Oslo Mayor (2004) Per Ditlev-Simonsen (H) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 224 454 km² 426 km² 0. ... Ice hockey, known simply as hockey in areas where it is more common than field hockey, is a team sport played on ice. ... NHL can also be an abbreviation for National Historic Landmark or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. ...

After being drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the 10th round (204th overall) in 1990, Knutsen remained in Europe until 1997, playing for Vålerenga and the Swedish Djurgården. In 1996, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim traded the rights to Knutsen, and he made his debut with the Ducks in 1997. After a not very successful season (playing in part for the AHL Cincinnati Mighty Ducks) Knutsen returned to Djurgården, but was again drafted to play in the NHL in 2000, this time for the Columbus Blue Jackets. In a very good first season, he tallied 53 points (11 goals, 42 assists) in 66 games. Then, after being assigned to Columbus's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, he again returned to Djurgården for the 2004-05 season. B.C. Place, Vancouver, British Columbia The 1990 NHL Entry Draft was held June 16th at B.C. Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... VÃ¥lerenga Ishockey is an Oslo-based ice hockey club, and a part of the VÃ¥lerenga IF sports club. ... DjurgÃ¥rdens IF Hockey is the hockey section of the Swedish club DjurgÃ¥rdens IF based in Stockholm and playing in Elitserien. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, commonly referred to as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. ... The American Hockey League (AHL) is regarded as the top professional hockey league in North America outside the National Hockey League (NHL). ... ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. ... The Syracuse Crunch are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Although widely considered one of the best Norwegian ice hockey players of all time, the lasting legacy of Knutsen's NHL career might unfortunately be his involvement in a 2002 accident in which his slap shot shot was deflected by Calgary Flames defenseman Derek Morris and sailed into the stands at Nationwide Arena, striking 13-year old Brittanie Cecil in the head and causing her death. Distraught over the accident, Knutsen would later help set up a charity in Columbus to honor Brittanie's memory. Also as a result of the tragedy, protective nylon mesh nets above the glass behind both goals were made mandatory at every NHL arena from the start of the 2002-03 season. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta. ... Defenceman (defenseman in American English) is a hockey player position on the ice whose responsibility is primarily defence. ... Derek Morris (born August 24, 1978 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. He is currently in his seventh NHL season, and thus far, as of January 3, 2006, has played 32 games, scoring two goals and 14... Nationwide Arena from Front Street, looking west down Nationwide Blvd. ... Brittanie Cecil (born March 20, 1988 in Columbus, Ohio, died March 16, 2002) was a hockey fan who died from injuries suffered when a puck was deflected into the stands and struck her in the head at Nationwide Arena on March 16, 2002. ...

He retired due to injury in July 2005. At the news of his retirement the director of Djurgården called him one of the greatest players in the history of the club. After his retirement, Knutsen moved back to his native Oslo, where he lives with his family. He is currently an assistant coach with Vålerenga, the team where he started his career.

External links

• Espen Knutsen at the NHL
  
• Espen Knutsen at The Internet Hockey Database

Career statistics