San Jose Sharks bring Andreas Lilja in for training camp tryout
One of the major stories of this year’s National Hockey League off-season is the large number of tryout invitations that are being issued to several veteran players. The players who accept
these invitations are trying to revive their professional careers, and the teams believe that they would not look out of place on their respective rosters.
The latest player to receive such an invitation is veteran Swedish defender Andreas Lilja. Lilja has been invited to try out with the San Jose Sharks during their upcoming training camp.
Sharks head coach Todd McLellan is very much looking forward to having the 6ft 3in defenceman in training camp, as he coached Lilja while he was playing for the Detroit Red Wings. McLellan,
a former assistant coach with the Red Wings, believes that Lilja’s status as an NHL veteran may help his chances of making the team.
“He's going to make it a more competitive camp because he's a veteran player,” said McLellan. “He is familiar with the coaching staff and our system because it is similar to what he came
from. Once camp starts, he is like any other player, and his play will dictate whether he (gets a contract).”
The 35-year-old native of Helsingborg, Sweden played for the Red Wings over the past five seasons. He often saw time on the penalty kill, and gained notoriety as a prolific shot-blocker.
Lilja won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2007-08, and was one of nine Swedish players on Detroit’s active roster at the time.
Lilja was originally drafted 54th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2000. In 2002-03, he was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he remained for two seasons. Lilja signed a contract
with the Nashville Predators in 2004-05, but ended up playing for Mora IK of the Swedish Elite League due to the NHL lockout that season. He returned to the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings in 2005-06.
In 478 career NHL games, Lilja has racked up 15 goals and 59 assists for 74 total points.
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