Carl Grundström Bio
Carl Grundström is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing around 91 kilograms, he skates with a power-forward profile and is comfortable on either wing. Selected in the second round, 57th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Grundström has built his career through stops in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the AHL, and the NHL.
Across his professional journey, Grundström has also played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, contributing to deep Calder Cup runs and representing Sweden on the international stage. He remains active in professional hockey, with the 2025 season marking his transition to the Philadelphia Flyers organization.
Early Life and Background
Carl Grundström was born on 1 December 1997 in Umeå, a city in northern Sweden well known for producing ice hockey talent. Growing up in Umeå placed him in the heart of a cold-weather sports culture, where youth hockey is deeply embedded in the local community. The region’s rinks and developmental programs gave him an early platform to sharpen his game.
Grundström came through the youth ranks of Modo Hockey, one of Sweden’s traditional development clubs, where his combination of size, skating, and finishing ability stood out among his peers. His time in Modo’s junior system helped him transition toward professional hockey by the time he was a teenager.
Path to Hockey
Grundström made his Swedish Hockey League debut with Modo Hockey during the 2014–15 season, stepping into top-flight professional hockey as a teenager. Following Modo’s relegation to the HockeyAllsvenskan at the end of the 2015–16 season, he remained in the SHL and signed a two-year contract with Frölunda HC on 16 April 2016. The move to Frölunda, one of Sweden’s premier clubs, gave him the opportunity to play in the Champions Hockey League and develop against high-level competition.
During the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, his strong play with Frölunda translated into a second-round selection, 57th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs, cementing his status as one of Sweden’s notable forward prospects of that year.
Carl Grundström Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
In the 2016–17 season with Frölunda HC, Grundström recorded a career-best 14 goals and 20 points in 45 games, confirming his development as a scoring winger. On 28 April 2017, he left Frölunda mid-contract, using his NHL exit clause to agree to a three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After attending Maple Leafs training camp for the 2017–18 season, Grundström was reassigned on loan to Frölunda HC on 2 October 2017 to continue his development. He finished second on the club with 17 goals and 24 points in 35 games. He was then reassigned to the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, for the post-season, where he helped the team claim its first Calder Cup. He led all AHL rookies in playoff scoring with 8 goals and 14 points in 20 playoff games.
Toronto Marlies and NHL Debut (2018–2019)
Grundström returned to the Marlies for the 2018–19 season, recording 29 points in 42 games. On 28 January 2019, he was traded, alongside Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round pick, to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Jake Muzzin.
He was initially assigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, before being recalled on 9 March. That night, he made his NHL debut and scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, announcing his arrival in the league.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2019–2024)
After debuting late in the 2018–19 season, Grundström spent the next several seasons establishing himself as a depth forward with the Kings. On 1 September 2020, the Kings signed him to a two-year contract extension. With the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the North American season, he remained in Sweden and was loaned to the Swedish second-tier Allsvenskan club IF Björklöven on 5 September 2020 until the Kings’ training camp began.
Over six seasons in the Kings organization, Grundström became a trusted bottom-six winger known for his forechecking and penalty kill reliability.
San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers (2024–Present)
On 27 June 2024, the Kings traded Grundström to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Kyle Burroughs. A week later, he signed a two-year contract with the Sharks, where he continued his role as a physical, two-way forward.
In October 2025, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers alongside Artem Guryev in exchange for Ryan Ellis and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026. He was assigned to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, as he continues his professional career within the Philadelphia system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Grundström is best known for his straight-line speed, physical forechecking, and willingness to play in the dirty areas of the ice. He has been deployed in bottom-six roles and on the penalty kill throughout his NHL career, valued for his work ethic and defensive responsibility. His shot and finishing instincts, developed during his strong SHL and AHL seasons, also allow him to contribute offensively when given the opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Grundström helped the Toronto Marlies win the 2018 Calder Cup, leading all AHL rookies in playoff scoring. He also represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where he won a bronze medal.
Carl Grundström Career Wins
While Grundström is primarily recognized as a reliable role player rather than a top-line scorer, his resume includes major team and international honors. His career wins reflect his value in pressure-packed team environments, from junior and European leagues through North American professional hockey.
SHL and AHL Highlights
In the SHL, Grundström’s most productive season came in 2016–17 with Frölunda HC, when he set a career high with 14 goals and 20 points in 45 games. In the AHL, his most memorable stretch came during the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs with the Toronto Marlies, when his 8 goals and 14 points in 20 games led all rookies.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Grundström represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, contributing to a bronze medal finish.
Carl Grundström Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carl Grundström’s parents and extended family is not widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Details about Carl Grundström’s marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He was born and raised in Umeå, Sweden, and maintains ties to the country as his home nation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a transitional chapter for Carl Grundström. He began the year still under contract with the San Jose Sharks before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in October 2025 in a deal that also brought Artem Guryev to Philadelphia in exchange for Ryan Ellis and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick.
Within the Flyers organization, Grundström has been assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, where he is expected to play a top-nine role and provide veteran scoring and physicality. His track record at the AHL level, including his playoff scoring title with the Toronto Marlies, suggests he will be a productive contributor in Lehigh Valley.
Looking ahead, Grundström’s combination of NHL experience, international credentials from the 2024 IIHF World Championship, and prior AHL success position him as a candidate to earn NHL recall opportunities with the Flyers during the 2025 campaign.