Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Oscar Emanuel Ekman-Larsson (pronounced [ˈɔ̌lːɪvɛr ˈěːkman ˈlɑ̌ːʂɔn]; born 17 July 1991) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman[1] and captain of the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Ekman-Larsson was originally selected sixth overall by the Coyotes organization in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Seen by many as one of the NHL's top offensive defenceman, Ekman-Larsson led the Coyotes in scoring in both the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Ekman-Larsson with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2014
Born (1991-07-17) July 17, 1991
Karlskrona, Sweden
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team Arizona Coyotes
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 6th overall, 2009
Phoenix Coyotes
Playing career 2010present

Playing career

Ekman-Larsson began his career at the Tingsryds AIF hockey club of the HockeyAllsvenskan during the 2007–08 season, recording 8 points in 27 games. He continued his career with Leksands IF, where he scored 44 points in two seasons in 2008–09 and 2009–10 in a total of 81 games. This season would be his last, as he would he drafted by the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes.

Phoenix / Arizona Coyotes (2009–present)

Ekman-Larsson was selected sixth overall by Phoenix in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. On 24 May 2010, it was announced the Coyotes had signed Ekman-Larsson to an entry-level contract.[2] In the season following his draft selection, Ekman-Larsson produced the second most points among junior players in the Allsvenskan,[3] despite missing several games while competing in the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships for Sweden.

Ekman-Larsson recorded his first career NHL point through an assist on a Kyle Turris goal on 23 October 2010.[4] He scored his first career NHL goal on 17 January 2011, against goaltender Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks.[5]

Ekman-Larsson (right foreground) during a game against the Vancouver Canucks, February 2012

For the duration of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Ekman-Larsson (on the last year of his entry-level contract) was assigned to Phoenix's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates.

On 6 March 2014, Ekman-Larsson scored his 100th NHL career point in a 5–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. With Ekman-Larsson's contribution, it was the first time since 9 December 1998 the Coyotes had defeated Montreal.[6] At the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, Ekman-Larsson finished seventh in balloting for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top defenceman during the regular season. His votes included three first-place votes, one second-place vote and two third-place votes.[7] On 16 December 2014, during the 2014–15 season, Ekman-Larsson tied the Coyotes' franchise record for overtime-winning goals by a player in a single season after scoring his third of the season with 0.03 seconds left in overtime in a 2–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers.[8] Ekman-Larsson represented Arizona in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, assisting on a goal by Bobby Ryan.[9] Ekman-Larsson finished the 2014–15 season with 23 goals and 20 assists. With this career milestone, Ekman-Larsson broke Nicklas Lidström's NHL record, becoming the first Swedish-born defenceman in NHL history to score more than 20 goals in one season.[10] Ekman-Larsson's 23 goals were the most scored by an NHL defenceman that season and tied Phil Housley's franchise record for most goals scored by a defenceman in a season.[11]

On 29 January 2015, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ekman-Larsson scored the fastest shorthanded goal to start a period in NHL history, against Jonathan Bernier five seconds into the third period.[12] On 19 December 2015, during a game against the New York Islanders, Ekman-Larsson scored the lone goal of the game, which proved to be the game-winning goal. With this goal, Ekman-Larsson surpassed Teppo Numminen's franchise record for the most game-winning goals by a defenceman with the 20th in his career.[13] On January 12, 2016, Ekman-Larsson assisted on all three goals of rookie Max Domi's first career hat-trick, and would later go on to set a career-high four-point night by scoring the overtime-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers.[14] On March 24, 2016, Ekman-Larsson inadvertently scored the game-winning goal in a 3–1 win over the Dallas Stars. Initially credited to teammate Martin Hanzal, after further review the goal was shown to bounce off a Dallas player and into the net. With this game-winning goal, Ekman-Larsson set an NHL record for the most game-winning goals by a defenceman in a single season with eight, surpassing Tim Horton, Al MacInnis, Ray Bourque, Derek Morris and Dion Phaneuf.[15] He became just the second defenceman in franchise history to record 20 or more goals in consecutive seasons, after Phil Housley.[16] Ekman-Larsson finished the 2015–16 season ninth in balloting for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.[17]

In the 2016–17 season, on 18 March 2017, during a game against the Nashville Predators, Ekman-Larsson scored his 40th career powerplay goal (against Pekka Rinne), tying Fredrik Olausson for the most by a defenceman in Arizona Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets history.[18] On 3 April 2017, with the Coyotes out of playoff contention, Ekman-Larsson was granted a leave of absence for the remaining three regular seasons games in order to return to his native Sweden due to the death of his mother, following a prolonged battle with cancer.[19]

On 14 October 2017, in a game against the Boston Bruins, Ekman-Larsson scored his first powerplay goal of the season against Anton Khudobin and moved ahead of Fredrik Olausson for the franchise record for powerplay goals scored by a defenceman with his 41st.[20] On 10 January 2018, Ekman-Larsson was selected as the lone Coyotes representative at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game.[21] On 10 March, Ekman-Larsson was fined $5,000 for slashing Sven Andrighetto.[22] After the regular season concluded and the Coyotes again failed to make the playoffs, Ekman-Larsson was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and gives back to his community.[23] On 1 July 2018, Ekman-Larsson signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension with the Coyotes; he was set to become a free agent the following season.[24] He was later named captain of the Coyotes.[25]

International play


Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
2014 Sochi
World Championships
2017 Germany/France
2018 Denmark
2011 Slovakia
2010 Germany
World Junior Championships
2010 Canada

Ekman-Larsson represented Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he was the highest-scoring defenceman on the team,[26] scoring five points in six games.

At the 2010 World Championships, Ekman-Larsson played in nine games for the bronze medalists and was deemed to be Sweden's best player in the game against Norway.[27]

In 2019, at the 2019 World Championships, Ekman-Larsson was named captain of Sweden's international team.[28]

Personal life

Ekman-Larsson's maternal grandfather, Kenneth Ekman,[29] also a defenceman, was selected to represent Sweden at the 1972 Winter Olympics. Swedish international footballer Amanda Ilestedt is Ekman-Larsson's cousin.[30] Ekman-Larsson's younger brother, Kevin, was previously signed with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. He now plays in Sweden with second-tier club BIK Karlskoga.[31]

In 2013, Ekman-Larsson founded OEL, a luxury clothing line based in Sweden.[32]

Records

Title Record
Most game-winning goals by a defenseman in a single NHL season 8 goals [33]
First Swedish-born defenseman in NHL history to score more than 20 goals in a single season 23 goals [34]
Fastest shorthanded goal to begin a period in NHL history 5 seconds [35]
Most powerplay goals by a defenseman in Arizona Coyotes franchise history 41 goals [20]
Most goals by a defenseman in Coyotes franchise history 109 goals

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07 Tingsryds AIF J18 12 0 1 1 8
2006–07 Tingsryds AIF J18 Allsv 11 0 2 2 20
2007–08 Tingsryds AIF J18 6 1 1 2 20
2007–08 Tingsryds AIF J18 Allsv 6 1 2 3 37
2007–08 Tingsryds AIF SWE.3 27 3 5 8 10
2008–09 Leksands IF Allsv 39 3 14 17 32 8 2 2 4 6
2009–10 Leksands IF Allsv 42 9 18 27 98 10 2 4 6 8
2010–11 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 48 1 10 11 24
2010–11 San Antonio Rampage AHL 15 3 7 10 16
2011–12 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 82 13 19 32 32 16 1 3 4 8
2012–13 Portland Pirates AHL 20 7 14 21 28
2012–13 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 48 3 21 24 26
2013–14 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 80 15 29 44 50
2014–15 Arizona Coyotes NHL 82 23 20 43 40
2015–16 Arizona Coyotes NHL 75 21 34 55 96
2016–17 Arizona Coyotes NHL 79 12 27 39 48
2017–18 Arizona Coyotes NHL 82 14 28 42 44
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 81 14 30 44 52
2019–20 Arizona Coyotes NHL 66 9 21 30 38 9 1 3 4 8
NHL totals 723 125 239 364 450 25 2 6 8 16

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Sweden WJC18 5th 6 2 6 8 2
2010 Sweden WJC 6 2 3 5 12
2010 Sweden WC 9 1 2 3 2
2011 Sweden WC 7 1 3 4 2
2014 Sweden OG 6 0 3 3 2
2015 Sweden WC 5th 8 2 10 12 6
2016 Sweden WCH 4 0 0 0 4
2017 Sweden WC 8 2 3 5 2
2018 Sweden WC 10 2 5 7 4
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 3 5 8 4
Junior totals 12 4 9 13 14
Senior totals 60 11 31 42 26

Awards and honours

Award Year
NHL
NHL All-Star Game 2015, 2018
International
World Championship All-Star Team 2015

References

  1. "Oliver Ekman-Larsson". eurohockey.net. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  2. Phoenix Coyotes (24 May 2010). "Coyotes sign first round draft choice to entry level contract". coyotes.nhl.com.
  3. Elite Prospects. "2009 - 2010 Allsvenskan u20". eliteprospects.com.
  4. "Hurricanes vs. Coyotes". coyotes.nhl.com. 23 October 2010.
  5. Brown, Jerry (18 January 2011). "Coyotes could be thin on blue line vs. Predators". NHL.com. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  6. "Coyotes Beat Canadiens for First Time Since '98". coyotes.nhl.com. 6 March 2014.
  7. "Ekman-Larsson Places Seventh in Norris Trophy Voting; Yandle Places 12th". coyotes.nhl.com. 16 June 2013.
  8. "Coyotes top Oilers in final second of OT". National Hockey League. 16 December 2014.
  9. "Ekman-Larsson to represent Arizona at All-Star Game". Arizona Coyotes. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  10. "Ekman-Larsson makes history with 21st goal". todayslapshot.com. 1 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  11. Vest, Dave (5 April 2015). "Ekman-Larsson Ties Franchise Record". NHL.com. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  12. "Ekman-Larsson's floating goal sparks Coyotes over Leafs 3-1". newsok.com. Toronto. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  13. "Ekman-Larsson notches milestone in win over Isles". Arizona Coyotes. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  14. "Domi notches first career hat trick". Arizona Coyotes. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  15. Brown, Jerry (26 March 2016). "Ekman-Larsson gets NHL record with scoring change". NHL.com. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  16. "Ekman-Larsson helps Coyotes past Stars". Arizona Coyotes. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  17. "Brent Burns finishes third in Norris Trophy voting". fearthefin.com. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  18. "Ekman-Larsson claims another franchise record". National Hockey League. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  19. "Coyotes grant Ekman-Larsson leave of absence for remainder of season". Sportsnet.ca. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  20. Vest, Dave (14 October 2017). "'Yotes Notes: Ekman-Larsson, Kempe Reach Milestones in Humbling Loss". NHL.com. Glendale: Arizona Coyotes. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  21. "Ekman-Larsson Selected to Represent Coyotes at 2018 NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  22. "Ekman-Larsson fined for slashing in Coyotes game against Avalanche". NHL.com. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  23. "NHL announces 31 team nominees for King Clancy Trophy". NHL.com. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  24. "Ekman-Larsson signs eight-year contract extension with Coyotes". NHL.com. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  25. "Coyotes name Ekman-Larsson captain". TSN.ca. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  26. "IIHF WJC Championship Sweden PLAYER STATISTICS BY TEAM 2009-2010" (PDF). IIHF.com. 11 January 2010.
  27. "IIHF World Championship Best Players Per Game" (PDF). IIHF.com. 23 May 2010.
  28. "Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson to Captain at IIHF Worlds". arizonasports.com. 1 May 2019.
  29. Ronnie Johansson (23 April 2010). "Eliteprospects.com - Kenneth Ekman". eliteprospects.com.
  30. Jonsson, Fredrik (29 June 2013). "Ilestedt drömmer om en medalj i hemma-EM" (in Swedish). Expressen. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  31. "Roadrunners Sign Kevin Ekman-Larsson To AHL Contract". Tucson Roadrunners. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  32. "OEL of Sweden". oelofsweden.se. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  33. "Ekman-Larsson set record with game winning goals". National Hockey League. 3 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  34. Cluff, Jeremy (11 January 2017). "Arizona Coyotes' NHL All-Star history". azcentral.com. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  35. Associated Press (30 January 2015). "Ekman-Larsson's floating goal sparks Coyotes over Leafs 3-1". Toronto: The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Viktor Tikhonov
Phoenix Coyotes first round draft pick
2009
Succeeded by
Brandon Gormley
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Shane Doan
Arizona Coyotes captain
2018–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.