Anders Kallur was a gifted offensive producer in his native Sweden before becoming a pat of the New York Islanders' Stanley Cup dynasty in the early 1980s. He played only six years in the NHL but had four Stanley Cup rings and 211 career points to show for his work. His strength as a player rested with his blazing speed, quick lateral movement, and vast array of fakes and moves while in motion.
Born in Ludvika, Sweden, Kallur began with the lesser-known Tunabro club before joining the stronger MoDo team in 1974-75. That season he led the Swedish Elite league with 30 goals in as many games. He later skated for Sodertalje then Djurgardens before he was signed as a free agent by the New York Islanders in August 1979. Following his last year, he was named the Swedish player-of-the-year and placed on his country's World all-star team.
Kallur's timing couldn't have been better as he joined the Isles' as they began a run of four consecutive Stanley Cup titles. Things started slowly for the Swede as he missed most of his first NHL training camp with a groin injury. He was sent to the CHL's Indianapolis Checkers for two conditioning games then returned to Long Island where he worked on a checking line with Bob Bourne and Wayne Merrick as well as a more potent unit with Bryan Trottier and John Tonelli.
His offense and composure under pressure helped him fit in well with one of the NHL's elite clubs. He recorded 22 and 36 goals in his first two NHL seasons then settled into a more specialized checking role since New York had Mike Bossy, Bob Nystrom, and Duane Sutter to supply offense from the right side. During the team's drive to a fourth Cup in 1983, Kallur's playmaking was crucial as he recorded 12 assists in 20 post-season contests. The "drive for five" fell short in the 1984 finals versus Edmonton. Kallur played one more season before retiring in 1985.
