Lina Ljungblom Bio
Lina Elsa Ljungblom (born 15 October 2001) is a Swedish ice hockey player who plays centre for the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She also represents Sweden women’s national ice hockey team. Standing 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) tall and competing at 79 kg (174 lb), she shoots left and has earned a reputation as a reliable two-way centre at both the club and international levels.
Born in Skövde, Sweden, Ljungblom began her senior career in 2018 and has since become one of the most recognizable Swedish players of her generation, highlighted by her selection as the final pick of the 2023 PWHL Draft by PWHL Montreal.
Early Life and Background
Lina Elsa Ljungblom was born on 15 October 2001 in Skövde, Sweden. She grew up in a city with a strong hockey tradition, which gave her early access to organized ice sports. From a young age, she developed her skills within the local club system in Skövde, where she quickly stood out among her peers.
Her formative years were spent playing boys’ hockey, an experience that shaped her competitive edge and physical toughness. By her early teens, she was already moving between age-group teams, demonstrating the versatility that would later define her professional career.
Path to Hockey
From 2015 to 2019, Ljungblom played for Skövde IK, splitting her time between the club’s boys’ U16 and U18 teams, as well as the club’s third-tier women’s team. This dual-pathway development allowed her to refine her game against older and stronger competition while continuing to grow as a player.
In October 2018, she was loaned to HV71 in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL) for a single game after HV71 suffered a number of injuries. She scored twice in her SDHL debut, helping HV71 beat Brynäs IF 6–1, an early signal of her scoring touch at the senior level.
Lina Ljungblom Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
For the 2019–20 season, Ljungblom chose to spend most of her time with HV71 in the SDHL, appearing in only four games with Skövde’s boys’ U20 squad, where she scored five points. She missed large parts of the season after breaking her collarbone in October 2019, but she still finished the year with 5 points in 20 games for HV71. She added another 3 points in 6 playoff games as HV71 reached the championship finals before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.
After voicing concerns about her development with HV71, she left the club to sign with MoDo Hockey ahead of the 2020–21 SDHL season. In November 2020, she was suspended for three matches for abuse of an official after shouting at the referee in a 5–3 loss to SDE Hockey.
SDHL Breakthrough with MoDo Hockey (2020–2024)
Ljungblom was drafted by PWHL Montreal with the final pick of the 2023 PWHL Draft. Because she was obligated to finish her contract with MoDo Hockey, which extended through the conclusion of the 2023–24 SDHL season, the club chose not to relinquish her rights early. She completed her SDHL commitment with MoDo before making the move to North America.
After her contract with MoDo was up, she signed a three-year contract with Montreal and joined the club for the 2024–25 season. During the 2026 PWHL Expansion Draft, she was one of three players who were allowed to be protected in the third round by Montreal, underscoring her value to the organization.
Montreal Victoire Era (2024–Present)
Lina Ljungblom joined the Montreal Victoire for the 2024–25 season, transitioning to the North American professional game after years in the SDHL. Her selection as a protected player during the 2026 PWHL Expansion Draft reflects her growing importance to the Victoire’s roster and long-term plans.
As a centre who shoots left, she brings a blend of size, playmaking, and two-way responsibility that fits the modern PWHL style. Her early tenure in Montreal has been marked by steady integration into the lineup and a clear role on special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lina Ljungblom is recognized for her physical presence in the faceoff circle, her willingness to play through traffic, and her calm distribution from the middle of the ice. Her left-handed shot and 1.67 m frame allow her to protect the puck along the boards, while her experience in boys’ hockey has made her comfortable in heavy-checking games.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of her career came on February 5, 2026, when she scored twice in Sweden’s first game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a 4–1 win over Germany. Her first goal of that game represented Sweden’s 100th goal in Olympic women’s ice hockey history, a milestone that places her among the country’s most memorable international scorers.
Lina Ljungblom Career Wins
Lina Ljungblom’s career highlights include an SDHL championship finals appearance with HV71 in 2019–20, an Olympic-qualifying performance with Sweden, and continued scoring contributions at the professional and international levels. Her combination of league play and national-team success has marked her as one of Sweden’s most consistent modern centres.
International Highlights
As a member of the Swedish national under-18 team, Ljungblom participated in the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019, picking up a total of 10 points across 16 games and winning silver in 2018. She made her senior national team debut during the 2018–19 Women’s Euro Hockey Tour, and her first major tournament was the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, where Sweden was relegated from the IIHF Top Division for the first time in history.
She contributed three goals in three games at the qualification tournament for the 2022 Winter Olympics, helping Sweden secure placement in the Games. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, she recorded one assist in five games. On 12 January 2026, she was named to Sweden’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond her senior international résumé, Ljungblom earned a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championship and was a key part of Sweden’s 2022 Olympic qualification effort. Her early SDHL debut with HV71, in which she scored twice against Brynäs IF, remains one of the most memorable entrances into Sweden’s top women’s league.
Lina Ljungblom Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Lina Ljungblom’s family background is limited. She was born and raised in Skövde, Sweden, a city with deep hockey roots, and her early development took place within the Skövde IK club system.
Personal Life
Lina Ljungblom keeps much of her personal life private. She has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse, partners, or children, and her professional social media presence focuses primarily on her hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked Lina Ljungblom’s first year with the Montreal Victoire in the PWHL, following the conclusion of her MoDo Hockey contract. She transitioned into the North American professional game as a centre, adjusting to the league’s pace, travel demands, and physical style while contributing on both even strength and special teams.
Her strong play in 2024–25 helped establish her as a reliable middle-of-the-lineup option for Montreal. That performance was rewarded during the 2026 PWHL Expansion Draft, when she was one of three players the Victoire were allowed to protect in the third round, signaling organizational confidence in her long-term role.
Looking ahead to the 2025 calendar year, Ljungblom remains a key piece of the Montreal Victoire roster and an active member of Sweden women’s national ice hockey team. With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, her 2025 form is expected to play a central role in both her club’s playoff push and Sweden’s Olympic preparations.
