Celebrating 50 years of NY Islanders Hockey With the All-Decade Team: 1972-1981

D- Stefan Persson

One of the unsung heroes of the Islanders cup runs, Stefan Persson was an integral part of the team's blue line.

In each of his first four seasons with the Islanders, Persson found himself finishing second of the team in points among defensemen behind Potvin. His 1979 season earned him top-10 voting for the Norris Trophy, ultimately won by Potvin.

As well as Persson played in the offensive end, he was equally if not more impressive in his own end. On his way to helping the Isles to their first Stanley Cup in 1980, Persson added five goals during the playoffs and was under consideration to win the Con Smythe, which would have made him the first Swede to do so. Along with Nystrom, Persson was the first European-trained player to win the Stanley Cup.

Persson spent all nine of his NHL seasons playing for the Islanders. In 1986 Persson was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. He was so distraught about being shipped to Winnipeg that Persson ultimately decided he was better off retiring from the NHL altogether and returning to play in Sweden.