Simon Edvinsson Bio
Simon Edvinsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 5 February 2003 in Onsala, Sweden, he stands 6 ft 6 in tall and weighs around 207 lb, playing the game from the back end with a left-handed shot. Edvinsson was selected in the first round, sixth overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL entry draft.
Edvinsson grew through the Frölunda HC system in Sweden before crossing the Atlantic to begin his North American career. After a development year with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, he earned a full-time role with the Red Wings and has since become a steady contributor on Detroit’s blue line.
Early Life and Background
Simon Edvinsson was born on 5 February 2003 in Onsala, a coastal community in southwestern Sweden. He was raised in a sport-minded household alongside a younger brother named Hannes. His father, Tobbe, works as a police officer, while his mother, Åsa, is a personal trainer, and both parents encouraged an active lifestyle from an early age.
Edvinsson found his way to ice hockey through Sweden’s well-established youth development system, joining the junior ranks of Frölunda HC. The Gothenburg-based club has long been known for producing top Swedish defencemen, and Edvinsson quickly progressed through its age-group programs, drawing attention for his size, skating, and ability to move the puck.
During his formative years, Edvinsson also developed an interest in mixed martial arts training, a habit he has continued into his professional career. He has credited that offseason work with helping him control his body in high-pressure game situations.
Path to Hockey
Edvinsson climbed the ladder inside Frölunda HC’s development pipeline, playing for the club’s J20 SuperElit junior team, where he posted six points in 14 games. That production paved the way for his professional debut in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during the 2020–21 season, when he recorded one assist in 10 games for Frölunda.
Following that first SHL exposure, Edvinsson was ranked as the top European defenceman by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau heading into the 2021 NHL entry draft. He was the third defenceman selected that year and went sixth overall to the Detroit Red Wings on 23 July 2021.
His first full SHL campaign came in 2021–22, when he produced 19 points in 44 regular-season games for Frölunda. He was named a finalist for the SHL Rookie of the Year Award, led all league rookies with an average of 19:46 in ice time, and his 19 points ranked fourth-most ever for an under-19 defenceman in the SHL.
Simon Edvinsson Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Edvinsson’s senior career began in the SHL with Frölunda HC. After a brief introduction during the 2020–21 season, he returned for a full year in 2021–22 and emerged as one of Sweden’s most promising young defencemen, contributing offensively while logging heavy minutes for a player his age.
Following a semi-final playoff defeat with Frölunda, Edvinsson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on 25 April 2022, formally ending his time in the Swedish league and setting the stage for his move to North America.
AHL Development Year (2022–2023)
After attending the Detroit Red Wings’ 2022 training camp, Edvinsson was reassigned to begin his first North American season with the AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. He played alongside veteran Brian Lashoff and was immediately used in a top-pairing role, where his offensive instincts translated well to the smaller North American rink.
Edvinsson led Griffins defencemen in scoring and earned his first NHL recall on 17 March 2023. He made his NHL debut the following day, registering two penalty minutes in a third-pairing role alongside fellow Swede Robert Hägg during a 5–1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2023–Present)
Edvinsson transitioned into a regular role with the Detroit Red Wings and has grown into one of the team’s most-used defencemen. During the 2025–26 season, he was ranked second among NHL defencemen in goals and plus-minus, registering six goals and 11 assists in 48 games and averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time per game by the end of January 2026.
He has frequently been paired with Moritz Seider, and the duo logged close to 700 minutes together as of January 2026, outscoring opponents 31–21 at five-on-five. In February 2026, Edvinsson underwent minor knee surgery after a puck struck the side of his right knee during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following the 2026 Winter Olympics break and his return from injury, Edvinsson delivered a heavy hit on Brady Tkachuk, with both players drawing penalties and continuing to argue from their respective penalty boxes. Later that season, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, a play around Tage Thompson resulted in a stick striking Edvinsson in the mouth and causing severe damage to his front teeth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edvinsson is a tall, mobile defenceman who uses his reach and skating to close gaps in all three zones. He is comfortable moving the puck and joining the rush, and he has built a strong partnership with Moritz Seider that allows Detroit to deploy a reliable, minutes-eating top pairing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his NHL debut with the Red Wings in March 2023, his ascent to top-pairing duties in Detroit, and his ranking among the league’s leading defencemen in goals and plus-minus during the 2025–26 season.
Simon Edvinsson International Play
Edvinsson has represented Sweden at multiple levels of international hockey. He played at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording one goal and three assists in seven games to help Sweden win a bronze medal, and he added another bronze at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with one goal and one assist in six games.
Senior International Debut
In April 2025, it was announced that Edvinsson would represent Sweden at the Men’s IIHF World Championship, marking his senior tournament debut. Sweden went on to win the bronze medal.
Simon Edvinsson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Edvinsson comes from an active, athletic family rooted in Onsala. His father, Tobbe, is a police officer, and his mother, Åsa, is a personal trainer, while his younger brother Hannes has also been part of his support system throughout his hockey journey.
Personal Life
Edvinsson is known to train in mixed martial arts during the offseason, which he credits for helping him control his body during games. He has cited Victor Hedman, Miro Heiskanen, and Cale Makar as role models. In May 2025, Edvinsson shared that he had become close friends with former Avalanche player and Swedish legend Peter Forsberg, with the two playing padel and pentathlon together through mutual friends.
2025 Season Performance
Edvinsson’s 2025 calendar year bridged his first full-time NHL workload and an established top-pairing role in Detroit. He was named to Sweden’s roster for the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship in April, making his senior international debut and helping Sweden capture a bronze medal.
Returning to the Red Wings, he settled into a featured role alongside Moritz Seider and produced at a strong rate, ranking among the league’s top defencemen in goals and plus-minus during the early months of the 2025–26 NHL season.
Edvinsson also navigated a minor knee injury in February 2026 and a separate incident that caused significant damage to his front teeth, both of which tested his durability but did not derail his role on the Detroit blue line.
