Sean Bergenheim

2007-08 Update: April 1, 2008: Sean Bergenheim went 3-1-4 in 14 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of March. He recorded 24 hits in his 14 games played. Bergenheim scored goals on Mar. 4th in a 4-3 SO win at NY Rangers, Mar. 6th in a 4-1 loss vs. NY Rangers, and a power play goal in a 4-1 win vs. Pittsburgh on Mar. 24th. He recorded an assist in a 4-1 loss vs. Philadelphia on Mar. 1st. The Islanders went 2-2-0 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point.

March 1, 2008: Sean Bergenheim went 3-3-6 in 13 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of February. He recorded 25 hits in his 13 games played. Bergenheim scored goals on Feb. 9th in a 4-3 OT loss at Minnesota and Feb. 12th in a 4-3 win vs. Philadelphia. He recorded assists in a 3-2 win vs. San Jose on Feb. 18th and assisted in the game winner in a 1-0 win vs. Tampa Bay on Feb. 21st. Bergenheim recorded a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win vs. Atlanta on Feb. 16th. The Islanders went 4-0-1 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point.

February 1, 2008: Sean Bergenheim went 2-1-3 in 14 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of January. He recorded 23 hits in his 14 games played. Bergenheim scored the game winning goal on Jan. 22nd in a 6-3 win at Carolina. He also scored a goal in a 5-2 loss vs. Ottawa on Jan. 29th. Bergenheim recorded an assist vs. Philadelphia in a 5-3 loss on Jan. 19th. The Islanders went 1-2-0 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point.

January 1, 2008: Sean Bergenheim went 1-2-3 in 15 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of December. He recorded 38 hits in his 15 games played. Bergenheim scored a goal on Dec. 29th in a 5-2 win vs. New Jersey. He recorded an assist at Buffalo in a 5-3 loss on Dec. 12th and vs. Pittsburgh in a 3-2 loss on Dec. 15th. The Islanders went 1-2-0 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point.

December 1, 2007: Sean Bergenheim recorded 2 assists in 10 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of November. Bergenheim recorded 11 hits in his 10 games played. He recorded an assist at Pittsburgh in a 3-2 loss on Nov. 15th and assisted on the game winner in a 2-1 win at the NY Rangers on Nov. 19th. The Islanders went 1-1-0 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point. He did not play in four games: Nov. 3rd vs. Pittsburgh, Nov. 6th vs. NY Rangers, Nov. 10th vs. New Jersey and Nov. 29th at NY Rangers.

November 1, 2007: Sean Bergenheim went 1-2-3 in 9 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of October. It was his first action with the Islanders since late in the 2005-06 season. Bergenheim recorded 11 hits in his 9 games played. He scored the first goal of the game and his first on the season in a 5-2 win at the Washington Capitals on Oct. 18th. It was his first NHL goal since March 25, 2006. Bergenheim recorded an assist vs. Washington in a 2-1 loss on Oct. 8th and in a 4-3 win vs. New Jersey on Oct. 20th. The Islanders went 2-1-0 in games in which Bergenheim recorded a point. In the preseason, Bergenheim recorded a goal in 7 games played. He scored the first goal of the game in a 5-2 loss at the New York Rangers on Sept. 28th.

Bergenheim Back in the Fold
islesinfo.com

June 18, 2007: The Islanders have agreed to terms with LW Sean Bergenheim on a reported one year deal for $500,000. Bergenheim and his agent Mark Gandler could not reach an agreement with the Islanders for the 2006-07 season. Without a contract the Islanders, as per owner Charles Wang's rule, told Bergenheim he wouldn't be signed for the rest of the 2006-07 season. So Bergenheim went to play in Russia before eventually ending up with the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite League.

In the end Bergenheim ended up signing the Islanders same offer they gave him last summer. He did get a one way contract, something he was looking for. Most likely that guarantees him a position on the NHL club, but the Islanders can still send him to Bridgeport if they choose.

"Sean's speed, skill and tenacity make him a perfect fit for the team we're putting together," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "We're looking forward to him being an important player for us this season and for years to come. We also know Sean is a player that our fans have come to love because of his work ethic and passion for the game."

The 23 year old Bergenheim scored 16 goals and 33 points in 36 games played with Frolunda in 2006-07. He last played for the Islanders in 2005-06 and went 4-5-9 in 28 games played. In his Islanders career he has scored 5 goals and 11 points in 46 games played. With the Sound Tigers Bergenheim went 40-36-76 in 116 career games played.

"I'm very happy and proud to be an Islander again," Bergenheim said this morning from Finland. "My friends back home know that I consider Long Island my second home. I followed the team a lot last season when I was in Europe and I love our style of play. A lot of people have told me my play should fit in with this year’s team, but Ted Nolan doesn’t know me yet. My goal is to show him I’m a Ted Nolan-type player. I can't wait to get back to Long Island."

The 5'11", 200 lbs. Bergenheim was the Islanders 2002 first round pick, 22nd overall.

islesinfo.com comment: Finally the Islanders get Bergenheim back in North America AND most importantly his agent Gandler has seen the light as well as received some sense.While it's only a one year deal, this will give Bergenheim a chance to prove himself. His speed is going to help the Islanders immensely and if he could pot in 15 goals and produce close to 30 points I think that would be a great season for him. He should also fit well into the Ted Nolan style of game.

June 11, 2007: Greg Logan of Newsday recently wrote that the Islanders and Sean Bergenheim, who is represented by agent Mark Gandler, may still be at loggerheads over a new deal. The Finn spent the entire 2006-07 season exiled to Europe by Islanders owner Charles Wang. In the 2007 World Championship's, Bergenheim went 1-2-3 in 8 games played for Finland with 31 PIM's. He was a +2 with 10 shots on goal. Finland shocked the undefeated Russians in their semifinal match on May 12th, defeating them in overtime 2-1. Bergenheim was ejected from the game for kneeing Russia's defenseman Andrei Markov. Finland went on to lose the Gold Medal game 4-2 to Canada on May 13th.

2006-07 Update: May 1, 2007: For the second straight year Sean Bergenheim is playing for Team Finland at the World Championships, being playing this year in Moscow & Mystichi, Russia. In Finland's first game of the tournament they defeated Ukraine 5-0 on Apr. 27th. Bergenheim recorded a goal and an assist in the game. He was a +2, had 4 PIM's and recorded 3 shots on goal. In Finland's second game on Apr. 29th they defeated Denmark 6-2. Bergenhiem recorded an assist in the win. His 3 points in 2 games played has already tied his output from 9 games played last year.

April 1, 2007: The Vastra Frolunda Indians played their final game of their regular season on Mar. 2nd. Sean Bergenheim was held scoreless in that game, a 2-1 win at Timra. He had a very good season playing in the SEL almost averaging a point per game and it's most likely he will be in the Islanders future once again hopefully as soon as 2007-08. His speed, grit and character will be a welcomed addition.

March 1, 2007: Sean Bergenheim went 4-7-11 in 9 games played with the Vastra Frolunda Indians during the month of February. He went 1-3-4 on the powerplay. Bergenheim's points came in a current 5 game point scoring streak (4g,7a) from Feb. 17th to 28th. Previous to the streak he went 5 games without a point. In three out of four games during his point scoring streak, Bergenheim recorded 3 point nights (1g,2a). Frolunda posted a record of 3-5-1 in February and are 19-16-2 since Bergenheim joined the team in December.

February 1, 2007: Sean Bergenheim went 6-3-9 in 10 games played with the Vastra Frolunda Indians during the month of January. He was a +4. Bergenheim scored the game winning goal in a 5-2 win vs. Luleo on Jan. 23rd. He recorded a hat trick and a 4 point game in an 8-3 win vs. Malmo on Jan. 27th. Bergenheim is still playing with a bit of an edge as he recorded 34 PIM's in a game at Skelleftea on Jan. 25th. He did not play in games on Jan. 18th at Malmo and Jan. 20th vs. Linkoping possibly due to injury. Frolunda posted a record of 6-6-0 in January.

January 1, 2007: Sean Bergenheim went 1-4-5 in 7 games played with the Vastra Frolunda Indians during the month of December. He recorded three assists in a 4-1 win vs. Malmo on Dec. 11th. His goal came on the power play in a 6-3 loss vs. Lulea on Dec. 21st. He is playing on a line with Martin Pluss and former AHL'er Steven Kariya. Bergenheim wears #20 for Frolunda. The team posted a record of 5-2-0 in December.

December 1, 2006: After a slow start with Lokomotiv Yarolslavl in October, Sean Bergenheim joined the Vastra Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite League on November 1st. In his first 9 games played, Bergenheim has averaged almost a point per game with 5 goals and 8 points. On November 16th Sean recorded a goal and 2 assists in Frolunda's 4-0 win over Lulea HF. Bergenheim scored both of Frolunda's goals, including one on the power play, in a 5-2 loss vs. Skelleftea AIK on November 23rd. Frolunda went 5-3-1 during the month of November with Bergenheim in their lineup. Teammates of Sean on the Frolunda Indians are former New York Islanders Tomi Pettinen, Niklas Andersson and former draft pick Arto Tukio.

SEAN BERGENHEIM OPTIMISTIC
Nystart gives hopes about NHL(loosely translated from Swedish)
hbl.fi, Feb. 6, 2007

After an autumn fulfilled with misfortunes has Sean Bergenheim may fason on your hockey life. The sojourn in Frölunda Indian's assures goodly for the future.

Fruitless negotiations with New york Islanders and a miss successful sojourn in Russia. Sean Bergenheims hockey autumn saw dark out until a new club address uppenbarade itself Frölunda Indian's in Gothenburg and the top division. 12+10 on 28 games is the national team current Bergenheims key. The goes to read on the winger that he enjoys with the life on the Swedish west coast.

the feels extremely good. We play clearly gooder now and our new tränare per Bäckman does a good job. We have eight games left of the basis series. The is even and the struggle about the places to the finals is hard, but I am certain about that we tinker the, says Bergenheim.

He has formed chain along with the Swiss Martin Plüss and the Canadian Steve Kariya. Moreover has the become ströbyten in companies of cold Fabricius and the Slovak Martin Cibak. Now sees the out as about Bergenheim plays with Fabricius and Cibak until the season is over.

we have played good together, but we should have done more objectives. On the the whole is I nevertheless pleased. I believe also that I been developed, although the has been an individual experience. The previous year played I in North america and I believes that small rinkar fits me better. In the top division is big rinkar not so good when I like to tackle, but one must adapt itself and on that point has I succeeded good.

New tränare tändvätska

Bäckman's proportion in Frölunda's uppsving is big. He replaced at the start of November Stephan Lundh, that got the kick-sled after Frölunda's katastrofala initial on the season that only gave 16 points in 19 games.

he has got order on torpet and now is the roles clear for each man. I came to a chaotic team. The was needed a new ignition. Despite that we lost games so has we the the played good last time.

Before the season, Frölunda's were considered goalkeeper situation somewhat uncertain. Veteranen Tommy Salo, as seen your best days, in companies of young and inexperienced Joel Gistedt.

Bergenheim thinks that the goalkeeper side is not any problem.

Gistedt has taken over the role as goalkeeper one. He has done well from himself, otherwise willed he meagre have got the opportunity in LG hockey games'. We do not fall on our målvakter.

Bergenheim praises the even top division. Only Malmö is clearly poorer than the other. In the finals is the bädda for överraskningar. Spelschemat in playoff divides itself striking from our FM-liga: The top division's series winner chooses between the two poorest facing law, i.e.'s teams 7 and 8, in the basis series. Tvåan chooses since between two the remained poorest facing teams, which can to become teams 6, 7 or 8 dependency on which team the series winner chooses to meet.

Then chooses trean between two the remained poorest facing teams and the fourth grade sheep to meet that team that remains.

I believe that Färjestad is the poorest possible antagonist in the finals's first round. The is a very hard team, but otherwise so is the no difference for me. One must hit all in order to win Swedish championship gold.

The fifth gang

Sean Bergenheim plays in your fifth gang that senior. That he that 23-åring, tomorrow, willed have experience of playing in so many gangs had he never can faith.

the is difficult to say. I began the career in Finland and so the became the Ahl and NHL that of course is common, but this year has been exceptional with playing in Russia and Sweden, but all is with sight on playing in NHL again.

Hurudan is your relationship to New york Islanders today?

the is a lot of better than last autumn. The owner Charles Wang has dialed me and now negotiates we from the start again. He said that I exists with in their future plans. The becomes interesting to see how the negotiations runs this summer, but first concerns playing in Frölunda and the national team. I hope to can to increase the rate and to take a place in VM-laget. The games now during the weekend is good opportunities to show up itself.

Bergenheim will play in Swedish Elite League
by Greg Logan, Newsday.com, Nov. 2, 2006

It wasn't the end result center Sean Bergenheim or agent Mark Gandler wanted, but they have accepted the policy of Islanders owner Charles Wang against signing players after training camp and are trying to make the best of the situation. Bergenheim will play for Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League and for the Finnish national team this season and will not request a trade.

Gandler was unsuccessful in his attempts to persuade Islanders general manager Garth Snow to make an exception to club policy for Bergenheim, who signed with a Russian team rather than accept less money for a one-way contract that would have made him an Islander this season. Unhappy with Yaroslavl, Bergenheim left with the hope of returning to the Isles.

"I spoke with Garth a couple of times," Gandler said Thursday. "The team's decision, as it has been consistently, was that they would like to sign Sean for next year, not for this year. They're firm about it, and that's where it ended.

"I'm not upset with this. I wish they were different, but the team made a decision, and we have to live by it ... No, we have not asked for a trade only because, if they wanted to trade him, they would have traded him anyway. We have no other choice. We're going to abide by what they have decided to do and wait until next year."

Bergenheim is assured of ample ice time with Frolunda, which is expected to struggle to make the playoffs in one of Europe's most competitive leagues. Gandler said Bergenheim also will play with the Finnish team in all tournaments leading to the World Championships.

"These two venues combined should provide for Sean the development he needs to become a better player," Gandler said. "In the end, it may be the thing he needed. It just remains to be seen."

Islanders coach Ted Nolan steered clear of the dispute between Bergenheim and the organization despite the potential to add help this season.

"I've never seen Bergenheim, but I've heard some good things about him," Nolan said recently. "Everybody tells me, 'He's your type of player, and he works hard.' But I've heard that about others and haven't seen it."

Note: Bergenheim signed with Frolunda HC of the SEL on October 31, 2006. He is currently playing for Team Finland in the Karjala Cup.

excerpt from Patience pays off for Islanders
by Shane Malloy, foxsports.com, Oct. 18, 2006

Sean Bergenheim, Left Wing, 22 (first round, 22nd overall pick in 2002) currently with Yaroslavl (RUS)

A swift-skating Finn with the puck skills to be an offensive contributor, it is matter of Bergenheim just putting it all together. He plays a typical Finnish style in that he is smart without the puck and has a good work ethic. He has the ability to become a solid second-line winger. After two seasons in the Finnish Elite league and two more in the AHL, where he had 76 points in 116 games in Bridgeport, he appears to be ready. His two brief stints in the NHL proved he was not out of place and only needed some fine-tuning on his game to be ready.

Excerpt from Newsday
by Greg Logan, Oct. 11, 2006

At a time when the Islanders have been searching for more offense, agent Mark Gandler said earlier in the day that former first-round draft pick Sean Bergenheim, who opted to play in Russia rather than accept what he believed was a lowball offer by the Islanders, would like to return and is willing to apologize to owner Charles Wang. But if the owner won't bend his rule against signing players who weren't in training camp, Gandler said Bergenheim will request a trade.

When Bergenheim held out, the Islanders wrote him off for the season and signed veteran forward Richard Park. Two or three days before last Thursday's season opener, Gandler spoke with Islanders general manager Garth Snow and was told there will be no exceptions to Wang's policy.

"That's the policy of this organization," said Snow, who was with the Islanders last night. "If you miss the first day of training camp, you miss the season."

In Gandler's view, Wang's policy is short-sighted and does not serve the team's best interests. "I understand the rule, but I don't think it's fair to Sean or the fans," Gandler said. "If they want a public apology, that's fine. Somebody has to compromise. At this point, it doesn't look like Charles is willing to do that."

The Islanders offered Bergenheim a two-way contract worth about $730,000, but the 22nd overall pick of the 2002 draft turned it down, believing he should not be subject to a return to the minors. He then was offered a one-way contract worth around $500,000 that virtually would have guaranteed him a roster spot, but he sought about 25 percent more.

Bergenheim played for Lokomotiv, but quit before the NHL opener so he would not be subject to waivers if he signed with an NHL team. Now, Bergenheim is free to sign until the Dec. 1 deadline without passing through waivers.

If he doesn't have an NHL job by then, which is likely because he has no leverage to force a trade, Gandler said Bergenheim likely will play in his native Finland. Gandler still plans to revisit the issue with Snow soon in the hope Wang will have a change of heart.

"If the answer is no, I will ask Garth to trade Sean," Gandler said. "But it has to be done by Dec. 1 so he can play this season. At this point, we're in a stalemate."

NHL and Russia angry over player battles
Aug. 23, 2006

(CP) - While Evgeni Malkin's flight to the NHL has incensed Russian hockey officials, some NHL executives are growing hot under the collar at watching their players abandon North America for greener pastures in Russia.

Already the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders have lost three players to Russia this summer. Mark Gandler, the agent who represents those players, says Russia is an attractive option for "young, vibrant talent which is not properly treated (by NHL teams)."

Winger Eugeni Artukhin rejected Tampa's last offer and has signed on for more money in his native Russia. The same goes for Russian defenceman Denis Grebeshkov and Finnish winger Sean Bergenheim of the Islanders.

All three will earn more money this season playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

"In Russia the taxes are 13 per cent, so it's relatively speaking tax-free," explained Gandler, whose firm International Sports Advisors has some 25 NHL players, half of them Russian. "They also usually have bonuses on top of everything, a free apartment, a free car, basically perks."

All three are restricted free agents in the NHL, which means the Lightning and Islanders have no legal recourse compared to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the Russian club threatening to sue the NHL because it says Malkin is under contract with them.

That Artukhin, Grebeshkov and Bergenheim are Gandler's clients is just a coincidence, the agent said from his New Jersey office. He vehemently denies the rumour that he was getting a cut from Russian league clubs to deliver them NHL players.

"What I have a problem with is people thinking that I would take a bona fide NHL player and place him in Russia and basically hurt him and his career for personal gain," said Gandler. "I don't deserve that after 16 years in the business."

Gandler felt the Islanders disrespected Bergenheim in contract talks.

"Just the way he was treated by the team and spoken to . . . and I have to include myself in that. Sean said to me he will never play for $500,000 in the NHL - no matter what. And that's his final decision," said Gandler. "He's making pretty good money in Russia, he's on the top line, he's treated well, and he's continuing his development."

Bergenheim, 22, had four goals and five assists in 28 games with the Islanders last season, his second in the NHL.

"We like Sean Bergenheim," said new Isles GM Garth Snow. "We offered him a one-way contract and the opportunity of a regular spot in the National Hockey League. He has played 46 NHL games over two seasons, so we feel our offer was more than fair. If Sean's decision is to play in Russia for what he feels is a better deal, that's his call. He's still a part of our future."

Sean Bergenheim, Evgeny Artyukhin Sign With Lokomotiv
August 5, 2006

According to a report from Sport Express today, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl GM Yuri Lunkin has announced the signings of three NHL forwards for the upcoming season: Sean Bergenheim (New York Islanders), Evgeny Artyukhin (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Eric Chouinard (Phoenix Coyotes).

Bergenheim, the Islanders' first round pick in 2002, split last season between the Islanders and their AHL farm club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He tallied 47 points (25g, 22a) in 55 games for Bridgeport, and appeared in 28 games over 3 stints with the Islanders, scoring 9 points (4g, 5a). Bergenheim also appeared in 18 games for the Islanders during the '03-'04 season.

The 22-year-old Bergenheim has represented Finland at various international tournaments in each of the past six years, including this past spring at the IIHF World Championships in Latvia.

2005-06 Update:

May 1, 2006 Update: Bergenheim recorded 2 assists in his final 9 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of April. He joined the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the finish of the NHL season. In the AHL series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Bergenheim recorded 2 assists in 7 games. Bergenehim was re-united during the playoffs with Robert Nilsson and Jeremy Colliton. He led the team in Penalty Minutes with 24. The WBS Penguins won the series 4 games to 3.

April 1, 2006 Update: Bergenheim was called up to the New York Islanders on March 3rd and has remained with the club since. In 15 games played with the Islanders during the month of March he went 4-3-7. Sean finally looks like he's ready to stay in the NHL for good, though he will probably return to the AHL for the playoffs with Bridgeport once the Islanders season is over. Since the NHL trade deadline on March 9th, Bergenheim has been the catalyst on the Islanders best line consisting of himself, Alexei Yashin and Robert Nilsson. Sean recently stated about Nilsson that he has never had the kind of chemistry on the ice with another player that he's had with Nilsson. Bergenheim is from Finland but also speaks Swedish. He has a strong skating stride and wide stance that may remind some of a skating style similar to Islander great Butch Goring. He gives 100% every shift and plays with a lot of energy. 

March 1, 2006 Update: Bergenheim came alive during the month of February with 10-6-16 in 12 games played. Began the month with a missed penalty shot attempt against Dany Sabourin in a 4-3 loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Feb. 3, 2006. It was his second failed penalty shot attempt this season. Bergenheim has improved over the course of the season with the Sound Tigers. He had a 6 game point scoring streak from February 10th to February 18th in which he went 6-4-10. He enters the month of March on a current 3 game point scoring streak in which he has gone 4-2-6. His 4 goal performance against the Hartford Wolf Pack on February 22nd broke the team record for most goals in a game by a Sound Tiger. Was named the first star of a game three times during the month of February. Recorded 3 shorthanded goals during the month of February. Scored 4 goals and 6 points between back to back nights February 10th & February 11th.

Sean Bergenheim was very disappointed following the Islanders training camp as he was the final cut to make the NHL team. He was sent down to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers but has been very vocal about his desire to play for the Islanders and his disappointment of getting sent down. He was finally called up on November 29, 2005 to help the Islanders who have been experiencing injury problems, particularly to Shawn Bates and Oleg Kvasha. Called up to face the Philadelphia Flyers at the Nassau Coliseum, Bergenheim provided some energy and physical play the Islanders have needed in the first period, but his ice time was cut back going into the second and third periods by head coach Steve Stirling. The Islanders went on to lose the game 4-3 and since they would not play again until December 4, 2005 in Detroit, Bergenheim was sent back down to join the Sound Tigers in Hershey, PA on November 30, 2005 to take on the Bears. Bergenheim scored his 4th goal of the season in Bridgeport's 5-3 loss. 

February 1, 2006 Update: Bergenheim went 5-3-8 in 10 games played during the month of January. He has reached the 15 goals mark which ties his AHL rookie season output of 2004-05 and he has also surpassed last years point production of 29 as he currently has 31 points. Bergenheim was called up to the Islanders on January 9th and played in three games for the Islanders(at NSH 1/10, vs. CGY 1/12 & vs. VAN 1/14) before getting re-assigned to Bridgeport on January 16th. In the three games for the Islanders Bergenheim registered 4 hits. He currently leads the Sound Tigers in PIM's with 96.

January 1, 2006 Update: Bergenheim produced 11 points in 12 games during the month of December and is on pace to come close to doubling his overall point output from a year ago when he notched 15 goals and 29 points in 2004-05. He currently has 10 goals and 23 points in 33 games. He's tied for third on Bridgeport in scoring with forward Jeremy Colliton. He's currently riding a three game goal scoring streak. Sat out a game on December 7th with an elbow injury.

Highlights:

* Named third star with 2 assists in 4-0 win at Lowell Lock Monsters December 2, 2005. Took a failed penalty shot attempt in the game at 18:05 of the third period against Vitaly Kolesnik.

* Named second star with a goal in 4-3 shootout win vs. Hershey Bears January 6, 2006. Scored the game tying goal on the powerplay at 19:59 of the third period.

* Named first star with a goal in 2-1 win at Lowell Lock Monsters January 20, 2006.

* Named first star with 2 goals(PP, SH, GW) and an assist in 7-4 win vs. Lowell Lock Monsters 2/10/06.

* Named first star with 2 goals(1 SH) and an assist in 5-2 win at Hershey Bears February 11, 2006.

* Named first star with 4 goals(PP, SH, GW) in 5-1 win vs. Hartford Wolf Pack February 22, 2006.

* Named second star with a goal and 2 assists in 6-1 win at New Jersey Devils March 14, 2006.

* Named third star with a goal in 3-1 win vs. Montreal Canadiens March 21, 2006.

Finland's Bergenheim finally burying his chances
May 7, 2006 - ihwc.net

As Finland found itself in an unusual position, trailing Slovenia 3-2 in the second period of Friday's game, the tying goal that provided a spark heading into the third was provided by Sean Bergenheim.

Bergenheim's tip in front at 17:44 of the period was huge, not only for his team, but also for the self-belief of the Helsinki native.

"I just tried to make something happen in front of the net," said Bergenheim, whose goals have mostly come from down low this season. "On the point shot you want to have someone in front."

So much of Bergenheim's game is built on skating. Arguably he is one of the fastest skaters in this tournament. But it's been his offense that has continued to cause some concern. Scoring against Slovenia was a good sign, but can he keep putting pucks in the net? 

Despite possessing some skill, he's considered by numerous scouts to be a third-line player for whom scoring is a bonus. Even the most enthusiastic of Bergenheim's admirers admit he needs to develop more of a touch.

Since being drafted by the Islanders in 2002, Bergenheim has made the slow, steady climb to the NHL. There have been some disappointments along the way.

First, he attended training camp in 2003 and made such an impression that any thought of sending him back to Finland for further seasoning was set aside. Seeing mostly third- and fourth-line duties, Bergenheim stayed up for 18 games before going to the World Junior Championship. After returning from the tournament and doing a brief stint with Jokerit Helsinki, he reported to the team's minor league affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in time for a playoff run.

After two more demotions in 2004 and 2005, Bergenheim had to wonder if he'd get the chance to show what he could do. In 2005-06 he was very depressed after training camp when he failed to make the team, which more than likely affected his game. But then he started to pick it up.

Bergenheim was on fire during the month of February when he tallied 10 goals in 12 games, including a six-game point scoring streak. He was sublime in a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring four goals, a franchise-best. It was as if he wanted to prove to the Islanders that he deserved a roster spot. In 55 games, he wound up with a career high of 25 goals.

"It's obviously a cool thing to do [scoring a hat trick]," said Bergenheim who last tallied three goals in junior hockey. "It [was] the first hat trick I've ever scored, professionally in Finland or in North America."

His emergence in Bridgeport made it tough for the team to ignore.

"He's a good player," Bridgeport Head Coach Dave Baseggio said. "He's learned more what he has to do to score goals. He's going to the net, and that's where he's scoring goals."

The young Finn's success made some players expendable. When the Islanders traded Mattias Weinhandl to the Minnesota Wild, Bergenheim took his spot. Even as he has played well down the stretch, more will be expected next season.

"I am enjoying my time in New York," said Bergenheim. "After the call up, I was glad to have the opportunity to stick around and want to do so next season as well."

Meanwhile, at international tournaments Bergenheim has excelled. At the 2002 U18 Championship, he scored eight goals and 12 points in eight games. Then at the 2003 U20's, he scored six points in seven games, and added four more points in 2004.

This will be his first time on the prestigious senior national team. Even as a first-timer, Bergenheim has already assessed the situation and foreseen a game plan for the rest of the tournament.

“We will carry the good things from the game against Slovenia. But most importantly, we learned that we were not good enough defensively, on the penalty kill, and took too many penalties."

This World Championship could go a long way toward helping Bergenheim avoid being on the training camp bubble in September.

Sound Tigers weekly - 3/2/06
by Michael Fornabaio - ConnPost.com

TESTING — Bridgeport left winger Sean Bergenheim was to have tests Wednesday on a persistent stomach problem. Coach Dave Baseggio said Bergenheim has been bothered for a couple of weeks, which might make even more remarkable the 16 points he has scored in 10 games going into Wednesday.

BRIDGEPORT — A day earlier, Sean Bergenheim was talking about how his Bridgeport Sound Tigers team had to change its fortunes against the Hartford Wolf Pack.

So he went out Wednesday at the Arena at Harbor Yard and changed it with force and a little bit of team and personal history: the first four-goal game for a Sound Tiger.

Bergenheim scored the first three goals of the Sound Tigers' 5-1 win over the Wolf Pack in front of 3,814 fans. He had several chances for a fourth and finally converted with 5:38 left off Robert Nilsson's setup.

"It's obviously a nice feeling, nice to have this in my career," said Bergenheim, who last remembered having a hat trick in junior hockey about five years ago. "It's the first hat trick I've ever scored in a (pro) league, Finland or here."

Goalie Wade Dubielewicz leaned in behind Bergenheim after his own 40-save performance, including a stop on Alexandre Giroux's penalty shot, with one word for the sudden sniper: "Unbelievable."

Bergenheim has 10 goals and four assists in the past eight games. In that span, linemate Nilsson has six points and centerman Colliton has 11 points, and Bergenheim made sure to give them their respect.

But Bergenheim is the same player who, stuck on three goals at the time, sat befuddled the night after Thanksgiving in Syracuse wondering how he would ever score goals. He has 25 now.

"He's a good player," coach Dave Baseggio said. "He's learned more what he has to do to score goals. He's going to the net, and that's where he's scoring goals."

Nilsson, Wyatt Smith and Joel Bouchard were recalled to the New York Islanders after the game as the NHL's Olympic break ended.

Bergenheim deflected each of his first two goals from the top of the crease, first on a Nilsson power-play shot at 2:57 of the first, then on an Allan Rourke shot at 8:56.

Short-handed 4:42 into the second, Bergenheim took Colliton's drop pass, set up by Harlan Pratt's long lead pass, and snapped it through Robert Gherson at 4:42 of the first to finish off the 11th regular-season Bridgeport hat trick (and the third natural hat trick, or three goals in a row).

The goal was also his fourth short-handed goal, also a team mark. And it also finished the night for Gherson, who had won four in a row.

BERGENHEIM, SOUND TIGERS SOLVE HARTFORD 5-1
Four-goal hat trick powers first win of season vs. Wolf Pack
February 22, 2006 - SoundTigers.com

BRIDGEPORT, CT - The American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 5-1 at home Wednesday on the strength of a four-goal hat trick by Sean Bergenheim. The win was the first in seven tries versus the Wolf Pack for the Sound Tigers this season. The four goals by Bergenheim set a new Sound Tigers single-game record and also tied a team mark for most points in a single outing.

"Down low is where he is at his best and it showed tonight with his deflections," Sound Tigers head coach Dave Baseggio said. "His confidence has really grown this season helping him concentrate on his game on the ice."

The Sound Tigers cashed in on an early power play when Bergenheim deflected a Robert Nilsson slap shot past Hartford goaltender Robert Gherson for his 22nd goal of the season at 2:53 for the early 1-0 lead. Cole Jarrett chipped in with a helper on the play. Bergenheim wasted no time collecting his second goal of the game and 23rd of the season 6:03 later when Allan Rourke took a shot that he tipped through Gherson for the 2-0 lead. Harlan Pratt assisted on the play.

In the middle frame, Bergenheim completed his hat trick with a shorthanded goal, finishing a pretty weave play with Jeremy Colliton for his 24th tally of the season making the score 3-0 at 4:42. Pratt picked up his second assist of the game on the play. It was the fourth short handed goal of the season for Bergenheim, which is also a new team record.

The Wolf Pack changed goalies after the third goal, going with Chris Holt who didn't fair much better as Matt Koalska slipped home his 17th marker of the season on the power play off feeds from David Masse and Masi Marjamaki at 7:03 increasing the lead to 4-0.

Hartford spoiled Sound Tigers netminder Wade Dubielewicz's shutout bid with exactly four minutes remaining in the second period, when Alexandre Giroux pushed a lose puck in for his 24th goal of the season on assists from Hugh Jessiman and Jarkko Immonen, cutting the Sound Tigers lead to 4-1 heading into the final period.

Dubielewicz kept the Sound Tigers in front by three goals when he denied the Wolf Pack's Alexandre Giroux on a penalty shot 4:33 into the third period. The Sound Tigers have never allowed a goal on a penalty shot since joining the AHL in 2001.

Bergenheim tipped home his record-setting fourth goal off a feed from Nilsson with 5:38 left to play for his team-leading 25th of the season, with Colliton also assisting on the play.

"Scoring four goals doesn't come without a lot of help, which I got from my linemates tonight," Bergenheim said. "Not all the credit can go to me, I was just lucky enough to finish the plays that they created."

Bergenheim was the first star of the game, Dubielewicz the second with his 40 saves and Nilsson was the third. The Sound Tigers were 2 for 5 on the power play and 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. Hartford had a 43-25 shots on goal advantage.

SOUND TIGERS WEEKLY - 2/16/06

Quote of the Week: "I like to play against that team. There's a lot of hitting going on. There's some players on the other team, I, like, have stuff going on with them." — Sean Bergenheim, explaining his feisty (and successful) play against Lowell

The Sound Tigers nominated Sean Bergenheim for AHL Player of the Week, who had four goals — including two short-handers — and three assists in three games, all victories.

PLAY OF THE WEEK: Sean Bergenheim describes his Saturday-night short-handed goal against Hershey, coming out of the penalty box:

"There was nothing special about it, either. I just got the pass from (Jeremy) Colliton. I just basically saw the defenseman in front. I tried to get it past him and lift it up. Luckily, it went in. I don't think the goalie saw it."

SHORTHANDED SOUND TIGERS BEAT BEARS 5-2
Earn first win of season in Hershey
February 11, 2006 - SoundTigers.com

Sean Bergenheim, who had two goals and three points in Friday's victory over Lowell, notched his team-leading 18th and 19th goals to open the scoring. Bergenheim made 1-0 with his second shorthanded marker in as many games off an assist from Jeremy Colliton at 6:03 and doubled the lead to 2-0 with a backhand swat of the rebound of a Jeff Hamilton shot at 12:06 with Colliton collecting his second helper on the play.

Just 43 seconds after Bergenheim's second tally, Steve Regier out muscled Hershey's Tomas Fleischmann to bang home the rebound of a Chris Thompson shot for his ninth goal of the year, with Rob Collins getting the other assist. Regier's goal made it 3-0 and chased starting goaltender Frederic Cassivi, who entered the game leading the AHL with 23 wins, from the Bears net in favor of Kirk Daubenspeck. Cassivi left with three saves on six shots through the first 12:49 of play.

SOUND TIGERS OUTGUN LOWELL 7-4
Win seventh straight against the Lock Monsters
February 10, 2006 - SoundTigers.com

In the middle frame, Sean Bergenheim notched two goals and an assist in a period where the Sound Tigers scored four unanswered goals. Bergenheim's first came 1:56 into the period when he jammed the puck past Lock Monsters goalie Tyler Weiman, for his 16th of the season giving the Sound Tigers the 3-2 lead with Hamilton and Jeremy Colliton assisting.

Jeff Hamilton made it a two-goal advantage at 4-2 with his 14th of the season, ripping the puck over Weiman's shoulder on assists from Bergenheim and Colliton at the 3:56 mark. Weiman was replaced by Craig Kowalski at that point.

Bergenheim followed with his second of the game and 17th of the season, a shorthanded tally, 2:57 later on a slap shot off an assist from Bruno Gervais making the score 5-2. Weiman then returned to the net after Kowalski allowed one goal on three shots.

LOWELL, Mass. — When the last shove, the last taunt, the last rush had ended in an entertaining Friday night, the star took a curtain call. Sean Bergenheim, in the middle of the 68-penalty-minute scrum at the end of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' 2-1 win over the Lowell Lock Monsters, was announced as the first star to a booing crowd at Tsongas Arena. Bergenheim clapped his hands above his head, pumped his fists as the crowd jeered, all the while with a huge smile on his face. "A lot of guys were screaming, screaming bad stuff," Bergenheim said. "You've got to be able to have some humor in everything." He grinned. "At that point, I wanted to thank them for the support they gave me." Bergenheim, reunited with Jeremy Colliton and Robert Nilsson, had earned the accolades with a goal and a strong all-around game. He had earned the jeers with the chip on his shoulder in perhaps his most effective game of the season. "He did everything for us tonight," Bridgeport coach Dave Baseggio said. "He drove to the net. He had lots of chances. He could have had quite a few goals."

Bergenheim scored 9:24 into the game on a breakaway, tugged from behind by Jeff Finger after Dave Karpa's home-run pass from goal line to far blue line sent him in. It was part of an excellent first period in maybe the most entertaining Sound Tigers game this season. "It felt good. There wasn't really anything special to it," Bergenheim said. "The first period was good. The third, we could have played better in the third, but we got the win."

Bergenheim was twice at the bottom of the pile in the final-buzzer scrum. Dave Karpa was to get a penalty for a whack on Keith Aucoin. Aucoin and Karpa stared each other down; the 10 players came together. The scrum paused, and then started again.

2004-05 Update:

Bergenheim was considered a candidate to make the Islanders lineup once again heading into the 2004-05 NHL season. With the NHL lockout throwing a monkey wrench into that possibility, it was pretty much written in stone that Bergenheim would experience his first full season in North America with the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Sean was one of the Sound Tigers most impressive players when he returned from Jokerit(Fin.) during their 2004 seven game playoff loss to Wilkes-Barr Scranton. So Islander and Sound Tiger management were looking for more improvement in Bergenheim's rookie season. 

The Sound Tigers struggled for most the season and eventually fell short of making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. But Bergenheim was one of the bright spots for the team finishing with 15 goals and 29 points in 61 games played. He displayed the grit and speed throughout the season that still has the Islanders brass believing he will be a solid third/fourth liner in the NHL one day. While his play did tail off just slightly in the second half of the season, Bergenheim's play during the first half garnered him a selection on the PlanetUSA roster for the Dodge AHL All-Star Classic in February 2005. At the time of the selection, Sean was the second leading scorer for the Sound Tigers with 9 goals and 19 points in 34 games. In the next 27 games Bergenheim notched 6 goals and 10 points. His 29 points total was good for 6th on the team.

BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders, have announced Sean Bergenheim has been named one of the forwards on the PlanetUSA roster for next month’s Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, which will be hosted by the Manchester Monarchs on February 13th and 14th.

Bergenheim, who will turn 21 between now and the All-Star Classic, is the Sound Tigers’ second-leading scorer with nine goals, ten assists and 19 points in 34 games this season. The 5’11’’ 202-pounder from Helsinki, Finland is also a +4 and is tied for the team lead with three power-play goals and is second on the team with three game-winners this season.

2003-04 Update:

Bergenheim joined the Islanders for training camp and impressed to the point that he forced Islanders management to make a decision to keep him or send Sean back to Jokerit of the Finnish League. The Islanders decided to keep him and Bergenheim filled in on the third and fourth lines nicely for the first quarter of the NHL season. He showed flashes of grit and speed that proved he should have a solid NHL future ahead of him. He notched his first NHL goal on October 25, 2003 at the Nassau Coliseum against Sebastien Caron in a 7-2 Islander win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He finished off the scoring with a pretty shorthanded feed in the latter stages of the game. Bergenheim danced around Martin Straka and then snapped a shot under Caron in what was a highlight reel goal.

As the World Junior Championships grew closer in November, the Islanders decided to allow Bergenheim to leave so he could get some more ice time and continue his development. They also had an agreement with Bergenheim that if he was going to be demoted the Islanders would allow him to return to Jokerit after the WJC's in January 2004. 

April 2004: Bergenheim has returned from Finland and the Islanders have placed him on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers roster to take part in their playoff run.

May 2004: Bergenheim finished with an impressive 5 points in the Sound Tigers 7 game series loss to Wilkes-Barr Scranton.  All his points came in the first 4 games of the series where Bridgeport took a 3-1 series lead.

2002-03 Update:

Newsday's Alan Hahn: 2/24/03

"Regarding Bergenheim, I heard Mike Milbury came away from that tournament feeling great about this guy. When he was drafted, many figured we’d never see him in the NHL. Interesting to see what happens for him in the future and if his emergence makes another prospect or veteran expendable."

islesinfo: performed well at the WJC for Finland and was one of their best players along with Atlanta goaltending prospect Kari Lehtonen. His numbers with Jokerit could be a little better but he's still improving. His biggest asset is speed and was one of if not the fastest skater at the WJC's. Milbury came away from the tournament impressed with him. Coach Peter Laviolette remarked in late April that Milbury was looking to bring over a player from Finland. Could be Bergenheim.

Islesinfo:

W Sean Bergenheim:5-11, 194 lbs. Born February 8, 1984 in Helsinki, Finland. Ranked 31 by THN, 15 by CSB among European Skaters. Here is what THN had to say:

THN: One thing about Sean Bergenheim: The only way to stop him is to chop the legs out from underneath him. Bergenheim is not a scorer and any scoring he does is a bonus. He's a third liner with speed, determination and competitive instincts. Hockey sense, however, is another matter. He might end up being a Finnish coming of Rico Fata, the sixth overall pick of Calgary in 1998, who is best suited for the minor leagues. "For me it is hockey sense. He's not a smart player," said one critical GM. "He goes 100 miles an hour. If Rico Fata can't make it at No. 6, how is this guy ever going to make it at all?" Bergenheim likes to hit and play the body. That could make him a serviceable third liner. "He can be a (Kris) Draper type of guy, but Draper is smarter," said a scout. "He makes some nice moves with the puck, but I do not see a lot of hockey sense," added a scout. "If he works on his hands, he will help his game." THN prediction: Character forward.

CSB: Personal Profile

Is rated 15th among European prospects on Central Scouting's final ranking, was 7th at mid-season … spent the first part of the 2001-02 season with the junior team in Vantaa before joining Jokerit in the Finnish Elite League … helped Jokerit capture the league championship … performed for Finland at the 2002 World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic, capturing the Bronze medal (0-1-1 in 7GP) … played for Finland at the 2002 World Under-18 Championship in Slovakia, leading his team in scoring and ranking seventh in the tournament's scoring race (8-4-12 in 8GP) … played for Finland at the 2001 World Under-18 Championship, capturing a Bronze medal and ranking third in team scoring (3-1-4 in 6GP) … is teammates with top European prospect Kari Lehtonen.

CSB: Central Scouting Report

An excellent skater with good speed, balance and agility … has a very good shot … an effective puck-handler with a good scoring touch around the net … very strong on the power play and penalty killing units … a smart and safe player … a good team player and a hard worker … a tough competitor with a winning attitude.

- Listed as a left wing for Jokerit and wears #10.