Mattias Ekholm Bio
Mattias Hans Ekholm (born 24 May 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, Ekholm is known for his smooth skating, defensive reliability, and growing offensive contributions from the blue line. A late-round draft pick who developed into a top-pair defenceman, he has represented Sweden internationally and has played in multiple Stanley Cup Finals.
Early Life and Background
Mattias Hans Ekholm was born on 24 May 1990 in Borlänge, a city in the Dalarna region of Sweden. Growing up in a country with a deep hockey tradition, Ekholm was introduced to the sport at a young age and progressed through the Swedish youth system. Borlänge, located in central Sweden, has long produced winter sports athletes, and the region’s rinks and youth programs helped shape his early development as a defenceman.
Ekholm joined the youth ranks of Mora IK, one of the notable clubs in the Dalarna area, where he refined his two-way game and his left-handed shot. His size and poise with the puck caught the attention of scouts, and by his late teens he was considered a promising prospect. His combination of mobility, reach, and hockey sense made him a steady presence in his own zone while also giving him the tools to contribute offensively.
Path to Hockey
Ekholm’s rise through the Swedish system took a major leap when he joined Brynäs IF of the Elitserien, the top professional league in Sweden at the time. After a strong start with the club, recording seven goals and five assists in his first 14 games, he was named the first of four Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2010–11 season. He went on to win the award, signaling that his transition to professional hockey was proceeding smoothly.
That same season, Ekholm also earned the Börje Salming Award as the top defenceman in the Swedish Elite League, an honour named after one of Sweden’s greatest defencemen. He posted eight goals and 16 points in 40 regular-season games, demonstrating the offensive touch that had become a hallmark of his game. These performances in Sweden set the stage for his full-time move to North America and established him as one of the country’s most promising young blue liners.
Mattias Ekholm Career
Early Career (2007–2010)
Ekholm began his professional career with Mora IK in 2007, playing in the Swedish hockey system while continuing to develop his game. He spent three seasons with Mora, using the time to adjust to the speed and physical demands of professional hockey. His steady improvement during these formative years helped him earn attention from NHL scouts ahead of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Selected 102nd overall in the fourth round of the 2009 draft by the Nashville Predators, Ekholm was a relative unknown on draft day. Rather than rushing to North America, he stayed in Sweden to continue developing, a decision that proved valuable. He participated in the Predators’ 2009 Development Camp before returning to Sweden, where he would spend two more seasons refining his craft with Brynäs IF.
Nashville Predators (2011–2023)
Following the 2010–11 season, Ekholm signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. He made his North American debut in the 2011–12 season but was a healthy scratch for the first five games before playing his first NHL contest in the home opener against the Phoenix Coyotes. After a brief two-game stint with Nashville, he returned to Brynäs for the remainder of the season as part of a predetermined agreement.
Ekholm joined the Predators full-time for the 2013–14 season and quickly became a fixture on the blue line. He scored his first NHL goal on 7 January 2014 in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Sharks and finished the year with nine points in 62 games while logging significant minutes. His disciplined play, finishing with ten or fewer penalty minutes in at least 50 games, led to a two-year, $2.075 million contract extension. In 2017, Ekholm made his Stanley Cup Final debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins, though Nashville fell in six games. He was named an alternate captain in September 2017 and, on 13 October 2021, signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension with an average annual value of $6.25 million.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2023–Present)
On 28 February 2023, Ekholm was traded to the Edmonton Oilers along with a 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, defenceman Tyson Barrie, and prospect Reid Schaefer. He debuted for Edmonton on 1 March 2023 in a 5–2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his first goal as an Oiler ten days later. The trade quickly paid off, as Ekholm brought veteran stability to Edmonton’s defensive corps.
In 2023–24, his first full season with the Oilers, Ekholm set career highs in goals, points, and plus-minus, recording 11 goals, 45 points, and a plus-44 rating that ranked third in the NHL. He finished 12th in Norris Trophy voting and reached his second Stanley Cup Final, where Edmonton lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games. Injuries limited him to 65 games in 2024–25, but he returned for another Stanley Cup Final run, again falling to Florida in six games. On 8 October 2025, Ekholm signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with Edmonton beginning in 2026–27, and on 26 January 2026, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 7–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The feat came in his 938th career game and marked the first time in NHL history that two defencemen from the same team scored hat-tricks in consecutive games, following Evan Bouchard’s hat-trick two days earlier.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ekholm is recognized for his smooth skating, long reach, and composure under pressure. His 6-foot-5 frame allows him to win battles along the boards and in front of the net, while his mobility lets him join the rush and contribute offensively. He pairs well with aggressive partners and is trusted in all situations, including penalty kills and matchups against top opposition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ekholm’s career highlights include his 2010–11 Elitserien Rookie of the Year award, the Börje Salming Award, his first NHL goal in 2014, and two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2017 and 2024. His January 2026 hat-trick added another chapter to his resume, cementing his reputation as a defenceman capable of changing a game with his offensive upside.
Mattias Ekholm Career Wins
While defencemen are not typically measured by win totals the same way goaltenders are, Ekholm has accumulated significant team success across the Swedish Elite League and the NHL. His individual honours, including the Elitserien Rookie of the Year and the Börje Salming Award, reflect his impact during his development years in Sweden.
NHL Highlights
Since debuting in 2011, Ekholm has been a steady contributor for the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers, appearing in multiple playoff runs and two Stanley Cup Finals. He has logged heavy minutes in all situations and is widely regarded as one of the more reliable two-way defencemen of his generation.
Mattias Ekholm Family
Personal Life
Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad, a former sports broadcaster. The couple has three children together. Ekholm and his family have made their home in North America since he joined the Nashville Predators, and they have remained in Edmonton following his trade to the Oilers in 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Ekholm’s 2024–25 campaign was shortened by injuries, limiting him to 65 games during the regular season. Despite the time missed, he remained a key part of Edmonton’s blue line and contributed in critical matchups throughout the year. The Oilers once again advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers in six games.
Entering the 2025–26 season, Ekholm was healthy and looking to build on his career-best 2023–24 campaign. On 8 October 2025, he signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension that will take effect in 2026–27, providing long-term stability for both player and team. His continued production and leadership on the back end were central to Edmonton’s push for a championship.
On 26 January 2026, Ekholm delivered one of the signature moments of the season, scoring his first career hat-trick in a 7–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The performance underscored his offensive growth and his enduring value to the Oilers as they pursued another deep playoff run.
