Patrick Thoresen of Oslo, Norway made hockey headlines on Wednesday when he announced his retirement at the age of 41 according to Rogers Sportsnet. Thoresen is best known for his time representing Norway internationally for 18 seasons from 2000 to 2024.
Small stint in the NHL
Thoresen played two seasons in the National Hockey League. He was with the Edmonton Oilers from 2006 to 2008 and the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008. Thoresen was undrafted and was signed as a free agent by the Oilers on June 12, 2006. He was then selected off waivers by the Flyers on February 22, 2008.
In 106 NHL games games, Thoresen had six goals and 18 assists for 24 points. He was a -11 with 66 penalty minutes, two power-play points, one shorthanded point, two game-winning goals, and 112 shots on goal.
Thoresen’s first game-winning goal came on October 16, 2006 in a 2-1 Oilers win over the Vancouver Canucks. Thoresen scored from Marty Reasoner of Honeoye Falls, New York and defenseman Steve Staios of Hamilton, Ontario at 3:01 of the first period which put the Oilers up 2-0 at the time.
Thoresen’s second game-winning goal came on April 7, 2007 in a 3-2 Oilers win over the Calgary Flames. Thoresen scored from defenseman Danny Syvret of Millgrove, Ontario and Toby Peterson of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thoresen broke a 2-2 tie with a goal at 11:16 of the third period to give the Oilers a lead. It was the final Oilers goal of the 2006-07 season.
Thoresen’s two power-play points came in Oilers wins. The first came on October 23, 2006 in a 5-2 Oilers win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Thoresen set up Ales Hemsky of Pardubice, Czech Republic to close out the scoring at 11:55 of the third period. The second power-play point came on February 23, 2007 in a 4-3 Oilers win over the Detroit Red Wings. Thoresen set up Ryan Smyth of Banff, Alberta with five minutes left in the first period.
Thoresen’s international accomplishments
Thoresen represented Norway at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. In 13 games at the Olympics, Thoresen had two goals and seven assists for nine points. Thoresen’s most memorable tournament was the 2012 World Hockey Championships in Finland and Sweden. Thoresen had 18 points in the tournament (seven goals and 11 assists) and was only behind Evgeni Malkin of Russia, who had 19 points.
Where does Thoresen rank?
Thoresen is third all-time among Norwegians in NHL career points with 24. He is behind Mats Zuccarello (690), and Espen Knutsen (111).
