Linus Ullmark Bio
Sven Linus Ullmark, known professionally as Linus Ullmark, is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 31, 1993, in Lugnvik, Sweden, Ullmark developed within the Modo Hockey organization before being selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 163rd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. After spending several seasons in the Sabres system, he signed with the Boston Bruins in 2021, where he earned the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender following the 2022–23 season. He joined the Ottawa Senators in June 2024 and quickly established himself as a key part of the team’s goaltending core.
Early Life and Background
Linus Ullmark was born on July 31, 1993, in Lugnvik, a small community in Sweden. He grew up in the country and was introduced to ice hockey at a young age, eventually joining the Modo Hockey organization as a junior player. Standing 193 centimeters tall and competing at 96 kilograms, Ullmark developed the frame and athleticism that would later become defining traits of his goaltending style.
He began his junior career assigned to Kramfors-Alliansen of the Swedish J18 Elit League during the 2008–09 season, even while remaining part of the Modo organization. When a goaltender ahead of him on Modo’s J20 team departed, Ullmark rejoined Modo and made one appearance in the 2009–10 season. He continued his development with Modo’s J20 squad the following year, appearing in two games, before splitting the 2011–12 season between the J20 team and Modo’s senior squad in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Path to Hockey
Ullmark’s path to professional hockey advanced rapidly during the 2012–13 season, when he split time between Modo’s J20 team, Mora IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, and Modo’s senior team in the SHL. Across those assignments, he posted a 2.04 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in junior play, and a 2.07 GAA with a .934 save percentage in the SHL. He also appeared in five playoff games for Modo’s senior squad, signaling his readiness for top-level competition.
In 2013–14, Ullmark became Modo’s primary senior goaltender, making 35 appearances and recording a 17–16–0 record, a 2.08 GAA, and a .931 save percentage. His strong performance earned him the Honken Trophy as the SHL’s best goaltender, validating his standing as one of Sweden’s top young netminders. Although he returned to Modo for the 2014–15 season, his growing reputation had already caught the attention of NHL scouts.
Linus Ullmark Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Ullmark began his professional career in Sweden with Modo Hockey in 2011, working his way through the club’s junior and senior ranks. His development in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan provided a foundation that would soon earn him an NHL opportunity. By the end of the 2013–14 season, his Honken Trophy-winning performance had made him one of the most respected young goaltenders in Sweden.
Selected 163rd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Ullmark was not signed to an entry-level contract until May 28, 2014. His progression through Modo’s program gave Buffalo a confident, battle-tested goaltending prospect ready to make the jump to North America.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2014–2021)
Ullmark began his North American career with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2015–16 season, but was quickly recalled to Buffalo. He made his NHL debut on October 24, 2015, stopping 24 of 27 shots in a 4–3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. His first NHL victory came in his second start, a 3–1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, and he finished the year with an 8–10–2 record in 20 games for the Sabres.
Over the following seasons, Ullmark shuttled between Buffalo and Rochester, gradually earning more responsibility. He earned AHL All-Star Classic selections in both 2017 and 2018 while continuing to develop his game. After Robin Lehner and Chad Johnson left the Sabres in free agency, Ullmark joined Buffalo full-time for the 2018–19 season and immediately recorded his first NHL shutout, a 3–0 win over the Arizona Coyotes in which he stopped all 36 shots. He later added a 40-save shutout of the Anaheim Ducks in December 2018.
Ullmark assumed the role of Buffalo’s starting goaltender during the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, going 9–6–3 in 20 appearances. On March 31, 2021, he helped the Sabres snap an 18-game losing streak, the longest in the NHL since 2003–04, by stopping the Philadelphia Flyers in a 6–1 victory. Despite injuries that limited his availability, he remained a central figure in the Sabres’ goaltending picture until his contract expired.
Boston Bruins Era (2021–2024)
On July 28, 2021, Ullmark signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Boston Bruins, immediately becoming the team’s starting goaltender. He earned his first win with Boston on October 22, 2021, a 4–1 victory over his former Sabres teammates, and finished the season with a 26–10–2 record, a 2.45 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. He recorded his first shutout with the Bruins in the season finale, a 5–0 win over Buffalo.
The 2022–23 season proved to be the defining campaign of Ullmark’s career. Sharing goaltending duties with rookie Jeremy Swayman, Ullmark posted a personal record of 40–6–1 and led the NHL in goals-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938). The Bruins shattered league records with 65 wins and 135 points, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy. Ullmark and Swayman were jointly awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals against. On February 25, 2023, Ullmark became the 13th NHL goaltender ever to score a goal, firing the puck into the Vancouver Canucks’ empty net in the final minute of a 3–1 win. He was later named a 2023 NHL First Team All-Star and won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender.
Although Boston entered the 2023 playoffs as the favorite for the Stanley Cup, the Bruins were upset in the first round by the Florida Panthers, squandering a 3–1 series lead. In 2023–24, Ullmark and Swayman continued to split starts, with Ullmark finishing the season on a strong run that included a 1.90 GAA and a .935 save percentage over his final nine games. Boston again fell to the Panthers in the playoffs, and Ullmark’s tenure with the Bruins came to a close.
Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
On June 24, 2024, Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Mark Kastelic, Joonas Korpisalo, and a 2024 first-round pick. Just before the start of the 2024–25 season, he signed a four-year contract extension with Ottawa on October 9, 2024. He made his Senators debut on October 10, 2024, stopping the Florida Panthers in a 3–1 season-opening win, and later recorded his first shutout with Ottawa on November 12, 2024, a 3–0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ullmark’s first season in Ottawa was interrupted by injuries, including a back injury suffered on December 22, 2024, that kept him out of the lineup for 18 games. He returned to action on February 4, 2025, and quickly resumed his role as the Senators’ starting goaltender. He was also named to Sweden’s roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in December 2024, providing international experience for the Swedish national team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ullmark is widely recognized for his technical precision, calmness under pressure, and ability to read developing plays. His large 193-centimeter frame allows him to cover significant portions of the net, while his consistent positioning and lateral movement have made him especially effective against high-danger scoring chances. He has built strong chemistry with his goaltending partners and coaching staff, most notably with Jeremy Swayman in Boston, where their shared work ethic helped anchor the Bruins’ defensive system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ullmark’s career highlights are his 2023 Vezina Trophy win, his place as the 13th NHL goaltender ever to score a goal, and his record-setting 2022–23 season that helped Boston set NHL marks for wins and points. He also earned the Honken Trophy in Sweden and represented Sweden at the IIHF World Championships in 2014 and 2022, as well as the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Linus Ullmark Career Wins
Across his professional career in Sweden, the AHL, and the NHL, Linus Ullmark has built a reputation as a consistent winner and one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders. From his early success with Modo Hockey in the SHL to his Vezina Trophy-winning campaign with the Bruins, he has regularly delivered strong performances in high-pressure situations. His ability to combine technical skill with poise has made him a cornerstone of every team he has joined.
Buffalo Sabres Highlights
During his time in Buffalo, Ullmark posted 17 wins in 2018–19 and 17 wins in 2019–20, establishing himself as the franchise’s goaltender of the future. His most memorable moment came on March 31, 2021, when he helped end the Sabres’ historic 18-game losing streak with a win over the Philadelphia Flyers. He finished his Sabres tenure with a positive impact on the team’s goaltending culture before leaving as a free agent in 2021.
Boston Bruins Highlights
Ullmark’s Bruins tenure peaked in 2022–23, when he set personal bests with 40 wins and a 1.89 GAA while leading the NHL in both goals-against average and save percentage. He added a Jennings Trophy and a Vezina Trophy to his collection, cementing his place among the league’s elite goaltenders.
Ottawa Senators Highlights
In his early games with Ottawa, Ullmark delivered a win in his Senators debut against the Florida Panthers and posted a shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2024. Despite injury setbacks, he remained a stabilizing presence in the Senators’ crease and was a key figure in the team’s 2024–25 campaign.
Linus Ullmark Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Linus Ullmark’s immediate family and upbringing remains limited, and details about his parents and any relatives involved in hockey have not been widely reported. He was born and raised in Lugnvik, Sweden, and developed his career within Sweden’s established hockey development system.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Ullmark is known as an avid esports fan, with a particular interest in Dota 2. In March 2019, he appeared on a Dota 2 podcast to discuss the parallels between competitive gaming and professional hockey. He has continued to follow the esports scene while pursuing his NHL career, reflecting a personality that extends well beyond the rink.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked Linus Ullmark’s first full year with the Ottawa Senators, a campaign defined by both early promise and injury setbacks. After signing a four-year extension in October 2024, he opened the season with a win over the Florida Panthers and quickly added a shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, a back injury in December 2024 sidelined him for 18 games, limiting his ability to build early momentum with his new team.
Ullmark returned to the Senators’ lineup in early February 2025 and immediately gave the team a lift in net. His presence helped stabilize Ottawa’s defensive structure as the club pushed for a stronger position in the standings. He also represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025, sharing goaltending duties before being replaced due to illness in the final round-robin game against the United States.
Looking ahead, Ullmark is expected to remain the Senators’ starting goaltender as the team builds around its young core. With several years remaining on his contract and his health restored, Ottawa will look to him to provide consistency and leadership between the pipes. His track record of bounce-back performances and playoff-level poise positions him as a central figure in the Senators’ long-term plans.