Former NHL goaltender Ed Belfour is now starring in Sweden, sporting a 1.68 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 16 games for the Leksand Stars. (Photo courtesy of www.hockeypictures.se)

For the first time in 17 years, Ed Belfour was unwanted by all 30 National Hockey League teams.

That was the scene last July when the veteran NHL goaltender wasn't re-signed by the Florida Panthers, despite winning 27 of his 58 starts and being named the team's most valuable player in the 2006-07 season.

Belfour soon looked to Europe and specifically Sweden, where he spent part of training camp in 2003 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His agent, Ron Salcer, was close to an agreement with the Leksand Stars before giving the NHL one more chance.

"We put them [Leksand] off for about two weeks to see if somebody [in the NHL] would step up to the plate, and no one did," Salcer told CBCSports.ca. "But three teams did call after he committed to Sweden, wondering if he would come back."

Europe bound

Stuck on 484 career NHL victories, 76 shutouts and one Stanley Cup championship, Belfour is now toiling for Leksand in the second-highest league in Sweden, the Allsvenskan.

"It's an easygoing lifestyle, a lot like where I grew up in Canada," said Belfour, 42, a native of Carman, Man. "People are real friendly, down to earth and helpful. Where I'm living there are a lot of farms. It's kind of like [being] out in the country with beautiful scenery."

Through Jan. 28, Belfour had posted a 1.68 goals-against average, six shutouts and .925 save percentage in 16 games. His Stanley Cup run is helping Leksand try to return to the Swedish Elite League, with the qualification round starting March 19.

Temperamental in his NHL days, Belfour has been a breath of fresh air for Stars management, coaches and players.

"He's very, very professional and honest," said Leksand general manager Mikael Lundstrom. "He's in a good mood and happy with his family [wife Ashley and newborn son Adler]. He just wants to be one of the guys and he's been accepted 100 per cent."

CBCSports.ca talked to Belfour about life in Sweden, growing up in Carman and his experiences in junior hockey with the Tier II Flyers in Winkler, Man. - host of Hockey Day in Canada on Feb. 9.

What was hockey like for you as a five-year-old in Carman, Man., a town of about 3,000 people in 1970 where everyone was breathing, eating and sleeping hockey?

Our town was a very athletic town, competitive; and all of my friends played hockey. We watched Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night and watched Peter Puck. He was my favourite. It was a very competitive atmosphere with other small towns around. It was a great place to grow up and have a chance to develop as a young person. I think it helped develop me into the competitive hockey player I am today.

By your 12th birthday, you were a full-time goaltender. What lured you to the position?

It was the equipment. It looked really cool, mostly the masks. All the masks back then were awesome looking. I also liked how the goalies were always acrobatic and seemed like they were always part of the limelight.

How cold was it for goalies in Manitoba?

It was really cold. I remember there were times when our parents, in between periods, had to take our skates off and warm our feet up. We still played because we didn't know any different. We just wanted to play.

Who was one of your influences as a youngster?

Ernie Sutherland was a big help to me. He was my high school coach and my junior coach [with the Tier II Winkler Flyers]. He's in Winkler still as the assistant coach.

At age 15, you were cut from the varsity hockey team at Carman Collegiate High School. Was that your first foray into the political side of the game? How did that emotional blow help shape you as a person and a player?

Yes, because I played with the same guys since I was five years old and they were all on the team. I got cut because the coach [not Sutherland] didn't like me, so I had to play junior varsity. I guess it made me angry and motivated me [to play better].

You joined the Tier II Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League as a backup in 1984. After demanding to be the starter, you became an all-star and were named the league's top goalie. Is this when you started to realize you could make a career out of playing hockey?

I think I always believed in myself. I remember telling some of my friends and teammates that I was going to play in the NHL, even when I wasn't on the high school team, and they all laughed at me. I'm a very confident person and when I put my mind to doing something I can do it.

Looking back, what was your best learning experience of playing in Winkler as it related to your development as a goaltender?

I just remember that every night you had to play your best. Back then, [the Manitoba Junior Hockey League] was a really tough league. You had to be mentally strong to play in some of those opposing buildings, like Selkirk and Dauphin. The playoffs were another good experience [seven-game series].

I got picked up by the Winnipeg South Blues to go out of province, so that was a great experience, too. The winning team of the province back then could pick up an extra goalie to leave the province during the playoffs.

Belfour says the game in Sweden is more controlled. Players "hang on to the puck a lot more [than in the NHL]." (Photo courtesy of www.hockeypictures.se)

Your son Dayn, 18, is in his second season as a goalie with the Winkler Flyers. Is it extra special that he plays for your former junior team?

It's definitely a great feeling to know he's playing there. He's with some good people. My mom and dad [Alma and Henry] live 20 minutes from there, so he's well taken care of and it's a great place for him to develop.

We usually talk once or twice a week. He's enjoying himself and getting better all the time. He's giving himself a chance to open up some doors. If he can keep his grades up [at school] and do well with the SATs [Scholastic Aptitude Test] he might have a chance to get a scholarship [to a U.S. college].

In 1987, the Chicago Blackhawks signed you to a free-agent contract. Along the way, former general manager John Ferguson Sr. declined your request for a tryout with the Winnipeg Jets, you didn't receive a single scholarship offer from a U.S. college and weren't drafted into the NHL. How did you deal with those challenges?

I just didn't let it bother me. I stayed positive and kept working hard. As long as you work hard towards your goals and your dreams, when an opportunity presents itself you'll be much more ready for it.

After six-plus seasons in Chicago, you played in San Jose and Dallas before getting traded to the hockey hotbed of Toronto. How would you describe the media attention in that city?

I had a lot of fun coming to Toronto and I looked at it as a challenge, an opportunity. It would be an awesome place to win a Stanley Cup. And that's what my goal was. I'm thankful that [former Maple Leafs general manager and coach] Pat Quinn brought me there.

The media was good to me. There's the odd question that may make you a little uneasy, but in all fairness everybody was good to me there. The fans have high expectations and there's nothing wrong with that. Everybody wants to win.

Was it surprising or shocking last summer that none of the NHL's 30 teams made you a serious contract offer before you signed with Leksand? When did you consider playing in Europe a viable option, and why Sweden?

I was surprised there wasn't interest earlier [in the summer]. I was hoping something would have happened [with an NHL team]. I did have some interest from a Western Conference team later in the off-season but I had already committed to going to Sweden.

[Sweden was a serious option] probably in early July. I heard a lot of good things about the leagues there and also I was [in Sweden] with Toronto [in 2003]. Pat Quinn brought us here for training camp. We had a great time. I think we were here for two weeks, so I got a chance to see the country and meet some people.

I think the hockey here is very good. It's a different game, more controlled and not so much dump and chase. They hang on to the puck a lot more [than in the NHL] and there's a lot of nice playmaking and passing. They have the [Olympic-size] ice and it gives the players more room. As a goalie, I have to be a little more patient [before committing to the shooter].

What were your intentions when you arrived in Leksand on Oct. 16?

It was a challenge and an opportunity to learn a new culture. It was also an opportunity to help Leksand try to make it back to the Elitserien [Swedish Elite League]. It's not going to be easy [qualification round begins March 19] and I think that'll be challenging and a good feeling to help them do that.

At the same time, it gives me a chance to work on my game and get better. I believe [my game] has been getting better every year.

Some people might wonder why Ed Belfour, at age 42 and with a Stanley Cup and two Vezina Trophies, would choose to extend his career in Europe. And the answer is?

Why not? It doesn't matter where you play. You still have to play.

How would you describe the atmosphere inside the 7,650-seat Ejendals Arena for your home games?

The fans sing the whole game. They usually have one or two sections in the arena where everybody is wearing the [Stars] jerseys and they're all standing and singing and supporting their team. It's a great feeling. It's like playing in the [NHL] buildings during the playoffs when the crowd is right into it. They're very passionate and really love the game.

Some of your hobbies include muscle cars, scuba diving, golf, fishing and drag racing. How have you kept busy in Leksand away from the rink?

I've gone hunting a few times. Here they hunt for deer and moose. I had the chance to shoot my first moose here. It was a lot of fun. I ended up chasing the moose for about an hour. It's something I'll never forget.

I'm going to go fishing, ice fishing probably. I didn't get a chance to go in the fall. I'm also going to take up some cross-country skiing. There's plenty of things to do here.

How have you benefitted on a personal level from playing in a foreign country?

I think it's going to make me a better person. I'm learning a lot about the Swedish culture, the players and their style of play. It can only make you better.

Is there still a hunger to give the NHL another shot and build on your 484 career victories?

I'd love to get back there and have a chance to win another Stanley Cup. There have already been a few teams interested [this year] but I said no. My loyalty is to Leksand until the end of the season and we will see what happens in the summer. I can still prove some things [in the NHL]. I have things that I can do still. I have a lot to offer.