| Born: | Aug. 31, 1956 | Draft: | 1976 Calgary Flames 64th Overall |
| Hometown: | Nynäshamn, Sweden | Position: | Center |
| Known For: | Stanley Cup Champion | Shoots/Catches: | Left |
| National Team: | Sweden | Current Status: | Retired |
Kent Åke “Kenta” Nilsson (born 31 August 1956) is a former Swedish professional ice hockey center. He played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Winnipeg Jets and the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta and Calgary Flames, Minnesota North Stars, and Edmonton Oilers as teams across various European leagues.
During his NHL career, he was called “Mr. Magic” and “The Magic Man,” referring to his exceptional puck skills. Wayne Gretzky commented on Nilsson’s skills, saying, “Skills-wise, he might have been the most skilled hockey player I ever saw in my entire career.” In 2006, he was featured on HCZ, a Swedish reality show, as a coach for a hockey team of non-athletes.
He remains the Flames’ single-season record holder for points (131) and assists (82), both set during the 1980-81 season.
Kent Nilsson Statistics
Trade Tracker
Deeper Dive
- Calgary Flames: A Look Back at Kent Nilsson’s Underrated Career
- One for the Ages: Kent Nilsson’s 1980-81 NHL Season
- Revisiting the Calgary Flames’ 1980-81 Inaugural Season
- Winnipeg Jets 1978-79 Avco Cup-Winning Season
- Winnipeg Jets with 100-Point Seasons
- Flames’ Relocation to Calgary a Blueprint for Teams That Followed
- A Look At Calgary’s Love Affair with Sweden
- Calgary Flames With 100-Point Seasons
Staff History
- Edmonton Oilers – Scout (1992 – 2010)
- EC Salzburg – Assistant Coach (2011-12)
- Florida Panthers – Scout (2010 – 2020)
Achievements
- WHA Avco World Trophy (1978)
- WHA Rookie of the Year – Lou Kaplan Trophy (1978)
- WHA Avco World Trophy (1979)
- WHA Most Gentlemanly Player – Paul Daneau Trophy (1979)
- 2x NHL All-Star Game (1980, 1981)
- NHL Best Swedish Player – Viking Award (1981)
- NHL Stanley Cup Champion (1987)
- Italy Champion (1988)
- Elitserien Best Player – Guldpucken (1989)
- Elitserien Champion (1989)
- World Championship Silver Medal (1990)
- IIHF Hall of Fame (2006)