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Mattias Ekholm

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Swedish ice hockey player (born 1990)

Ice hockey player
Mattias Ekholm
Ekholm with the Oilers in March 2023
Born (1990-05-24) 24 May 1990 (age 34)
Borlänge, Sweden
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Edmonton Oilers
Mora IK
Brynäs IF
Nashville Predators
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 102nd overall, 2009
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2007–present

Mattias Hans Ekholm (born 24 May 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.

Playing career

While playing with Mora IK in Sweden, Ekholm was drafted in the fourth round, 102nd overall, by the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Following the draft, he participated in Predators 2009 Development Camp. After recording a blazing start with 7 goals and 5 assists in his first 14 games with Brynäs, Ekholm was announced to be the first of four Elitserien Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2010–11 season. He would go on to win the award.

Nashville Predators

Ekholm as member of the Nashville Predators in 2017

Following the 2010–11 season, Ekholm signed a three-year entry-level contract to play with the Predators for the 2011–12 season. After attending their training camp, Ekholm was named to the Predators opening night roster for his North America debut. However, Ekholm was a healthy scratch for the first five games of the 2011–12 season before making his debut in their home opener against the Phoenix Coyotes. He played two games with the Predators before returning to Brynäs for the remainder of the season. This was due to a predetermined deal Ekholm made with the Predators during the summer. Ekholm tallied one goal and one assists in his first six games back in Sweden. He continued to produce and won the Borje Salming Award as the top defenseman in the Swedish Elite League after talling eight goals and 16 points in 40 regular-season games.

Ekholm returned to the Predators for the 2012–13 season but was re-assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals on 12 September 2012. By December, Ekholm was leading all Milwaukee defensemen in scoring with four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Due to injuries, Ekholm earned an emergency recall to the NHL level on 15 April 2013. At the time, he had tallied 27 points through 55 games. He logged 16:05 minutes of ice time during a game against the Vancouver Canucks before being reassigned to the Admirals the following day. Ekholm ended the season with 32 points through 59 games.

In the second full year of his contract, Ekholm joined the Predators for the start of their 2013–14 season. He played on the Predators third line along with Seth Jones and Shea Weber. Ekholm scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Sharks on 7 January 2014. He finished the season with nine points through 62 games and was one of six NHL defensemen to play at least 50 games and be assessed 10 or fewer penalty minutes. As such, Ekholm signed a two-year, $2.075 million contract with the Predators as a restricted free agent.

In the first year of his new contract, Ekholm changed his jersey number to 14 to match his World Championship number. Ekholm set career-highs in goals, assists, and points during the season with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points.

Ekholm was named an alternate captain for the Predators on 19 September 2017, along with Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg.

On 11 February 2021, Ekholm was listed as week to week with an undisclosed injury following a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On 13 October 2021, Ekholm signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension with the Predators with an annual average value of $6.25 million.

Edmonton Oilers

During the 2022–23 season, on 28 February 2023, Ekholm and a 2023 sixth-round pick were traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, defenceman Tyson Barrie and forward prospect Reid Schaefer. Ekholm made his Oilers debut on 1 March 2023, a 5–2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored his first goal as an Oiler on 11 March 2023, another game against the Leafs, this time a 7–4 defeat. Ekholm proved to be a stable addition to the Oilers defense, paired with young Evan Bouchard.

Personal life

Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad, a former sports broadcaster and share three children together, William, Mya and Leon.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 Mora IK J18 5 2 2 4 6 — — — — —
2006–07 Mora IK J20 36 0 4 4 28 2 0 0 0 0
2007–08 Mora IK J18 9 4 5 9 12 — — — — —
2007–08 Mora IK J20 37 5 7 12 54 — — — — —
2007–08 Mora IK SEL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Mora IK J20 21 3 5 8 32 — — — — —
2008–09 Mora IK Allsv 38 2 11 13 12 3 0 0 0 4
2009–10 Mora IK Allsv 41 1 21 22 54 2 0 0 0 6
2010–11 Brynäs IF SEL 55 10 23 33 38 5 0 4 4 10
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Brynäs IF SEL 41 9 8 17 55 17 1 8 9 12
2012–13 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 59 10 22 32 30 4 0 1 1 0
2012–13 Nashville Predators NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 62 1 8 9 10 — — — — —
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 80 7 11 18 52 6 1 0 1 2
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 82 8 27 35 44 14 3 4 7 4
2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 82 3 20 23 34 22 1 10 11 38
2017–18 Nashville Predators NHL 81 10 24 34 46 13 1 7 8 12
2018–19 Nashville Predators NHL 80 8 36 44 47 6 0 2 2 12
2019–20 Nashville Predators NHL 68 8 25 33 32 4 0 1 1 0
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 48 6 17 23 14 6 0 3 3 6
2021–22 Nashville Predators NHL 76 6 25 31 44 4 0 2 2 0
2022–23 Nashville Predators NHL 57 5 13 18 24 — — — — —
2022–23 Edmonton Oilers NHL 21 4 10 14 4 12 1 6 7 8
2023–24 Edmonton Oilers NHL 79 11 34 45 47 25 5 5 10 6
SHL totals 97 19 31 50 93 22 1 12 13 22
NHL totals 819 77 250 327 398 112 12 40 52 88

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Denmark
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Belarus
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Canada

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Sweden IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 1 1 2 2
2008 Sweden U18 4th 6 1 0 1 2
2010 Sweden WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 1 0 1 6
2014 Sweden WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 10 2 5 7 8
2015 Sweden WC 5th 8 0 3 3 6
2016 Sweden WC 6th 2 1 0 1 2
2016 Sweden WCH 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 4 0 0 0 2
2018 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 1 2 3 2
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 0 2 2 4
Junior totals 16 3 1 4 10
Senior totals 36 4 12 16 24

Awards and honours

Honours Year
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament gold medal 2007
World Juniors bronze medal 2010
Elitserien Rookie of the Year 2011
Le Mat Trophy champion 2012
Salming Trophy 2012
IIHF World Championship bronze medal 2014
World Cup of Hockey bronze medal 2016
IIHF World Championship gold medal 2018
The Hockey News, Rod Langway Award 2018

References

  1. "Mattias Ekholm". eurohockey.net. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  2. "Predators Take Seven Forwards and a Pair of Defensemen on Day Two of the 2009 Entry Draft". National Hockey League. 27 June 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  3. "Predators Development Camp To Open July 6 In Nashville". National Hockey League. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  4. "Årets rookie, kandidat 1: Mattias Ekholm" (in Swedish). hockeyligan.se. 28 October 2010. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  5. "Instant Analysis: Nashville Predators Defensive Prospects". predators.nhl.com. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  6. "Preds Sign Prospect Mattias Ekholm". National Hockey League. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  7. "Nashville Predators Set Opening Night Roster". National Hockey League. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. ^ Russell, Jimi (4 December 2012). "Ekholm Eyes Another Shot at Nashville's Blue Line". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  9. "The Week Ahead... (Feb. 20)". National Hockey League. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  10. "Preds Prospect Update: Jan. 26". National Hockey League. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  11. "Preds Prospect Report: Nov. 8". National Hockey League. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  12. Levin, Jay (28 March 2012). "Preds Prospects Succeeding In Post-Season Action". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  13. "Preds Assign 22 Players To The Milwaukee Admirals". National Hockey League. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  14. "Nashville Predators Recall Mattias Ekholm From Milwaukee". National Hockey League. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  15. "Nashville Predators Reassign Three To Milwaukee". National Hockey League. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Mattias Ekholm". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  17. "Nashville Predators Set 2013-14 Opening Night Roster". National Hockey League. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  18. Manasso, John (10 October 2013). "Nashville Predators Rookie Seth Jones Proves a Quick Study". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  19. Russell, Jimi (7 January 2014). "Nashville Predators 3, San Jose Sharks 2". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  20. "Nashville Predators Sign Mattias Ekholm to a Two-Year Contract". National Hockey League. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  21. Willis, Thomas (11 September 2014). "Ekholm Shortens Summer; Changes Number". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  22. "Roman Josi Named Captain of the Nashville Predators" (Press Release). NHL.com. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  23. "Ekholm week to week for Predators with undisclosed injury". National Hockey League. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  24. "Predators Sign Mattias Ekholm to Four-Year, $25 Million Contract". National Hockey League. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  25. "RELEASE: Oilers acquire Mattias Ekholm from Nashville". NHL.com. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  26. "Edmonton Oilers acquire Mattias Ekholm from Nashville Predators for Tyson Barrie". TSN. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  27. Bratten, Brooks (18 January 2019). "Preds' Significant Others Debut New Podcast: Off Ice with Ida & Julie". National Hockey League. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  28. Pankiw, Colton (26 July 2023). "Oilers' Mattias Ekholm and wife Ida announce birth of third child". Daily Hive. Retrieved 26 July 2023.

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