Linus Omark
{{Short description|Swedish ice hockey player (born 1987)}}
{{distinguish|Linus Ullmark}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| image = 20170406 AUTSWE 2418.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Omark in 2017
| position = Left wing
| shoots = Left
| height_cm = 180
| weight_kg = 82
| ntl_team = SWE
| team = Genève-Servette HC
| league = NL
| former_teams = Dynamo Moscow
Edmonton Oilers
EV Zug
Buffalo Sabres
Jokerit
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Luleå Hockey
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|5|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Övertorneå, Sweden
| draft = 97th overall
| draft_year = 2007
| draft_team = Edmonton Oilers
| career_start = 2005
}}
Linus Karl Heimer Omark (born 5 February 1987) is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently with Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL). Omark has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers. He was drafted into the NHL 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 Hockey of the Elitserien. In the 2008–09 season, 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), scoring 20 goals and 36 points in 56 games. Omark became known as a "YouTube sensation" for his creative scoring attempts,{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/oilers-hope-omark-sparks-offence/article1832025|title=Oilers hope Omark sparks offence|work=The Globe and Mail|date=2009-12-09|accessdate=2010-12-11}} which included a shootout goal where he flipped the puck over a sprawling Switzerland goaltender Marco Bührer in a March 2009 international exhibition,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwI8o1d0cTE|title=Linus Omark Amazing Goal Against Schweiz 31-03-09|publisher=YouTube|date=2009-03-31|accessdate=2010-12-11}} a between-the-legs goal in a game against Timrå IK{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPW88QvPDH0|title=Linus Omark goal vs Timrå|publisher=YouTube|date=2009-02-15|accessdate=2010-12-11}} and a behind-the-net, lacrosse-style attempt against Brynäs IF.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJs4HsWD3A&NR|title=Linus Omark zorro vs Brynäs|publisher=YouTube|date=2008-02-14|accessdate=2010-12-11}}
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".{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Oilers+Omark+blames+politics+getting/3622720/story.html|title=Oilers' Omark blames politics for getting cut|author=Jim Matheson|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=2010-10-04|accessdate=2010-12-11}}{{YouTube|0OTCN2mWEG4|Cuts Day Interview (at 0:28)}} 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 7 November 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/ahl/story/?id=340361|title=Omark scores 5 goals in regulation as Barons outlast Marlies|publisher=TSN|date=2010-11-07|accessdate=2010-12-13}} 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.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36955-Oilers-prospect-Linus-Omark-and-his-dazzling-skills-getting-a-shot-in-NHL.html|title=Oilers prospect Linus Omark and his dazzling skills getting a shot in NHL|magazine=The Hockey News|date=2010-12-09|accessdate=2010-12-11}}
After injuries to Oilers forwards Aleš Hemský and Shawn Horcoff, Omark and fellow Barons teammate Ryan O'Marra were recalled on 8 December 2010.{{cite web|url=http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=545752|title=Oilers recall Linus Omark and Ryan O'Marra|website=Oilers.NHL.com|date=2010-12-08|accessdate=2010-12-08}} Omark made his NHL debut on 10 December 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020423&navid=DL%7cNHL%7chome|title=Surging Oilers top Lightning 4-3 in shootout|website=NHL.com|date=2010-12-10|accessdate=2010-12-11}} His shootout goal drew widespread attention, as it featured a spin move at centre ice;{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5powwre3H8I|title=Shootout goal vs. Tampa Bay|publisher=YouTube|date=2010-12-10|accessdate=2010-12-11}} Lightning forward Simon Gagné called it "too much" while Gagné's teammate Martin St. Louis described it as a "slap in the face".{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=345095|title=Your Call: Do players have to earn the right to be 'flashy'?|publisher=TSN|date=2010-12-11|accessdate=2010-12-11}} Oilers head coach Tom Renney defended Omark, telling those who did not like the move to "deal with it". Omark scored his first NHL goal on 16 December against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, also recording two assists in the 6–3 Oilers victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=345828|title=Omark and Eberle lead Oilers in victory over Blue Jackets|publisher=TSN|date=2010-12-16|accessdate=2010-12-16}} 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.{{fact|date=May 2021}}
After going pointless in five games, and scratched for five, Omark was demoted to the minors.{{fact|date=May 2021}}
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 29 August 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.{{fact|date=May 2021}}
On 27 August 2013, off the back of his successful season in Switzerland, Omark returned to the Oilers organization, signing a one-year, two-way contract.{{cite web| url = http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=681000 | title = Oilers agree to terms with Omark | website = Edmonton Oilers | date = 2013-08-27 | accessdate = 2013-08-27}} On 19 December 2013, the Buffalo Sabres acquired Omark from the Oilers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. On 7 February 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,Jafari, Mike (13 February 2014). [http://www.wgr550.com/Omark-Fails-to-Report-to-Rochester/18387365 Omark Fails to Report to Rochester] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221122456/http://www.wgr550.com/Omark-Fails-to-Report-to-Rochester/18387365 |date=21 February 2014 }}. WGR. Retrieved 13 February 2014. prompting the Sabres to terminate his contract and place him on unconditional waivers, which he cleared. After the incident, Omark indicated that he would return to Europe to continue his professional career.[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ap-source-sabres-release-f-linus-omark Omark headed to Europe after released by Sabres]. Associated Press. Retrieved 18 February 2014. On 19 February, it was announced that Omark had re-joined his original club, Luleå HF, for the remainder of the season.{{cite web| url = http://www.luleahockey.se/artikel/48784/ | title = Omark back in Lulea | website = Luleå HF | date = 2014-02-19 | accessdate = 2014-02-19| language = Swedish}}
On 26 March 2020, Omark returned to the National League and joined Genève-Servette HC on a two-year deal worth CHF 2 million. On 2 December 2020, Omark was fined CHF 2,000 for embellishment in a game against the SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers on 27 November 2020.{{cite web| url = https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/96-disciplinary/21421-for-diving-mark-arcobello-and-linus-omark-fined | title = For diving - Mark Arcobello and Linus Omark fined | website = swisshockeynews.ch | date = 2020-12-02 | accessdate = 2020-12-06}} Omark badly reacted to the punishment and decided to take matter into his own hands by tweeting his disagreement to the NL account, despite being asked not to do it from Servette's management.{{cite web| url = https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/96-disciplinary/21478-chiquet-mosimann-issued-game-misconduct-penalties-omark-not-happy-with-fine | title = Chiquet & Mosimann issued game misconduct penalties, Omark not happy with fine | website = swisshockeynews.ch | date = 2020-12-05 | accessdate = 2020-12-06}}
International play
{{MedalTableTop|name=}}
{{MedalCountry|{{Ih|SWE}}}}
{{MedalSport|Ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2017 Germany/France|}}
{{MedalBronze|2010 Germany|}}
{{MedalBronze|2009 Switzerland|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
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=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM | ||||||||
| 2003–04
| Luleå HF | J18 Allsv | 14 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 18
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2003–04 | Luleå HF | J20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2004–05
| Luleå HF | J18 Allsv | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2004–05 | Luleå HF | J20 | 32 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 44
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 2005–06
| Luleå HF | J20 | 32 | 22 | 21 | 43 | 56
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 28 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2005–06 | Luleå HF | SEL | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006–07
| Luleå HF | SEL | 50 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 32
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2007–08 | Luleå HF | SEL | 55 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 46
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2008–09
| Luleå HF | SEL | 53 | 23 | 32 | 55 | 66
| 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009–10 | KHL | 56 | 20 | 16 | 36 | 34
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2010–11
| AHL | 28 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 32
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11 | NHL | 51 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 26
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12
| Oklahoma City Barons | AHL | 18 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011–12 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012–13
| EV Zug | NLA | 48 | 17 | 52 | 69 | 40
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2013–14 | Oklahoma City Barons | AHL | 29 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 18
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013–14
| Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2013–14 | NHL | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013–14
| Luleå HF | SHL | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0
| 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2014–15 | Jokerit | KHL | 60 | 16 | 30 | 46 | 26
| 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 2015–16
| KHL | 60 | 18 | 39 | 57 | 40
| 19 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 20 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2016–17 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 55 | 14 | 42 | 56 | 38
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 2017–18
| Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 55 | 16 | 39 | 55 | 60
| 14 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 33 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018–19 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 56 | 10 | 39 | 49 | 28
| 17 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 16 |
| 2019–20
| Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 59 | 12 | 42 | 54 | 36
| 6 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2020–21 | NL | 49 | 22 | 39 | 61 | 55
| 10 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021–22
| Luleå HF | SHL | 52 | 21 | 37 | 58 | 32
| 17 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 10 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2022–23 | Genève–Servette HC | NL | 52 | 16 | 40 | 56 | 40
| 18 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 16 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | SHL totals ! 234!!64!!103!!167!!186 ! 35!!7!!21!!28!!16 | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | KHL totals ! 401!!106!!247!!353!!262 ! 75!!18!!58!!76!!87 | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 79!!8!!24!!32!!40 ! —!!—!!—!!—!!— |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" | ||||
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM | ||||
| 2007
| Sweden | WJC | 4th | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009 | Sweden | WC | {{bronze3}} | 9 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 14 |
| 2010
| Sweden | WC | {{bronze3}} | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2016 | Sweden | WC | 6th | 8 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| 2017
| Sweden | WC | {{gold1}} | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018 | Sweden | OG | 5th | 4 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" | Junior totals ! 7!!2!!3!!5!!4 | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" | Senior totals ! 35!!5!!24!!29!!26 |
Personal life
Omark is of Tornedalian descent.{{cite web |url=https://www.jokerit.com/ruotsalaiskaksikolla-yhteyksia-suomeen |title=Ruotsalaiskaksikolla yhteyksiä Suomeen |date=3 April 2014 |publisher=Jokerit |language=fi |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=25 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225210855/https://www.jokerit.com/ruotsalaiskaksikolla-yhteyksia-suomeen |url-status=dead }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{icehockeystats}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Omark, Linus}}
Category:Buffalo Sabres players
Category:Edmonton Oilers draft picks
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Russia
Category:HC Dynamo Moscow players
Category:Oklahoma City Barons players
Category:People from Övertorneå Municipality
Category:Salavat Yulaev Ufa players
Category:Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
Category:Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
Category:Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Category:Swedish ice hockey left wingers
Category:21st-century Swedish sportsmen
Category:Ice hockey players at the 2018 Winter Olympics