Magnus Hellberg Bio
Magnus Hellberg (born 4 April 1991) is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Standing 198 cm tall and weighing 95 kg, he has spent more than a decade moving between top leagues in North America and Europe, including stints in the National Hockey League (NHL), the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Drafted 38th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Hellberg was the first goaltender selected that year and the first player to wear Nashville’s redesigned road jersey. He has since suited up for the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken, and has represented Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship and the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Early Life and Background
Magnus Hellberg was born on 4 April 1991 in Uppsala, Sweden. Growing up in a country where hockey is a national passion, he took to the ice as a young athlete and progressed through the Swedish junior system in search of a professional career in goal.
His size and athleticism made him a natural fit for the goaltending position, and by his late teens he was on the radar of NHL scouts. That trajectory carried him to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he had almost decided not to travel, telling reporters it was a “50-50” proposition that he would even be selected. He made the trip with only his agent by his side.
Path to Professional Hockey
Hellberg’s path to professional hockey began in earnest with his selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Being the first goaltender taken that year gave him early credibility within the Nashville Predators organization, and the club assigned him to its developmental affiliates to refine his game.
During the 2012–13 season, he appeared in 39 games with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and two games with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He also represented Milwaukee at the AHL All-Star Game the following season, signaling his growing stature as a prospect before earning his first NHL recall in October 2013.
Magnus Hellberg Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
After being drafted by the Nashville Predators, Hellberg spent several seasons developing with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. He made his NHL debut on 26 October 2013, replacing starter Carter Hutter in a game against the St. Louis Blues and playing 12 minutes. A high ankle sprain later that year, suffered when his skate caught under a goal post, forced him to miss three months and finish the 2013–14 season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
He returned to play the entire 2014–15 season with Milwaukee, where he represented the team at the AHL All-Star Game. That summer, the Predators traded him to the New York Rangers for a sixth-round pick in the 2017 draft, closing his Nashville chapter.
Nashville Predators Era (2013–2015)
Hellberg was recalled by Nashville on 24 October 2013 after starting goaltender Pekka Rinne suffered an injury. Two days later, he made his NHL debut against the St. Louis Blues, entering in relief and playing 12 minutes. The brief appearance marked his first taste of NHL action and underlined the organization’s faith in his potential.
After being returned to Milwaukee, a high ankle sprain derailed his momentum. Despite the setback, the Predators system kept him in development, and he was reassigned to the ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, to close out the 2013–14 season. The Predators traded him to the Rangers on 1 July 2015 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
New York Rangers Era (2015–2017)
Following his trade to the New York Rangers, Hellberg was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. He made his Rangers debut on 20 December 2015, replacing Henrik Lundqvist in a 7–3 loss to the Washington Capitals, and was returned to Hartford once Antti Raanta cleared protocol.
Hellberg received three call-ups during the 2016–17 season. He appeared in relief during a 7–6 loss to the Dallas Stars on 17 January 2017, then earned his first NHL start in the Rangers’ season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a 3–2 win. As an impending free agent, he departed the NHL that summer to pursue a starting role overseas.
Kunlun Red Star Era (2017–2018)
On 25 May 2017, Hellberg signed a one-year contract with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL, becoming the Chinese club’s starting goaltender. During the 2017–18 season, he registered 16 wins in 51 games and posted a strong .926 save percentage, establishing himself as one of the league’s top netminders despite playing for a struggling team.
After extending his deal with Kunlun during the season, Hellberg was traded on 28 May 2018 to perennial contender SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for financial compensation, opening the next major chapter of his career.
SKA Saint Petersburg Era (2018–2021)
Hellberg joined SKA Saint Petersburg ahead of the 2018–19 season and spent three seasons with the Russian powerhouse. He quickly became a reliable presence in goal, helping the club remain a title contender in the KHL during his tenure. His time in Saint Petersburg is widely regarded as one of the most stable stretches of his career.
After completing his contract with SKA, Hellberg opted to continue in the KHL by agreeing to a one-year deal with HC Sochi on 15 June 2021.
HC Sochi Era (2021–2022)
With HC Sochi, Hellberg posted a 2.42 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage across 37 games, recording five shutouts during the 2021–22 season. Despite his strong individual numbers, he could not help Sochi qualify for the postseason, and on 13 April 2022 he signed a one-year contract to return to the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings.
He made one appearance for Detroit, starting the season finale on 29 April 2022 and earning a 5–3 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Detroit Red Wings Return (2022)
After being released by the Red Wings, Hellberg signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Seattle Kraken on 13 July 2022. Following training camp, he was placed on waivers and was claimed by the Ottawa Senators on 3 October 2022 after an injury to Cam Talbot. After one appearance with Ottawa, he was re-claimed by Seattle on 10 November.
After serving as Martin Jones’s backup with the Kraken, Hellberg was placed on waivers again and was reclaimed by the Detroit Red Wings on 23 November 2022. On 28 December 2022, he entered a game in relief of Ville Husso against the Pittsburgh Penguins and made 19 saves as the Red Wings rallied from a 4–0 deficit to win 5–4 in overtime.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2023–2024)
On 2 July 2023, Hellberg agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After clearing waivers, he opened the 2023–24 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. An injury to Alex Nedeljkovic prompted his recall, and he appeared in relief of Tristan Jarry on 28 October in a 5–2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
He later shared a 2–0 shutout over the Anaheim Ducks on 7 November 2023 and started the next game on 9 November, earning his first NHL win of the season in a 4–3 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings. After Nedeljkovic returned, he was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre on 19 November, where he played 19 games and recorded nine wins, eight losses, and two overtime losses.
Florida Panthers Trade (2024)
On 8 March 2024, the Penguins traded Hellberg to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Ludovic Waeber and a conditional 2025 seventh-round pick. He was assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where he made eight regular-season appearances and one appearance in the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs.
Dallas Stars Era (2024–2025)
Hellberg signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars on 13 August 2024. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Texas Stars of the AHL for the 2024–25 season, where he continued to work as a depth goaltender within the organization’s developmental pipeline.
Djurgårdens IF Era (2025–Present)
At the conclusion of his deal with Dallas, Hellberg opted to return to his native Sweden, joining Djurgårdens IF of the SHL on a three-year contract announced on 12 June 2025. The move marked his return to Swedish top-flight hockey after more than a decade abroad.
His homecoming reunites him with one of Sweden’s most storied clubs, where he is expected to serve as a stabilizing veteran presence in goal during the 2025–26 SHL season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hellberg’s 198 cm frame allows him to cover the upper portion of the net with relative ease, and his lateral movement has long been considered one of his defining assets. He is known for his calm demeanor in high-pressure situations, a quality that served him well during stints as a backup on contending NHL clubs and as a starter in the KHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hellberg’s first NHL start, a 3–2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016–17 Rangers’ season finale, stands among his most memorable career moments. He also earned an international highlight in 2018, helping Sweden win gold at the IIHF World Championship with a 3–2 victory over Switzerland, and represented his country at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Magnus Hellberg Career Wins
Across the AHL, ECHL, KHL, and NHL, Magnus Hellberg has accumulated wins in multiple leagues, including notable stretches with Kunlun Red Star, SKA Saint Petersburg, and HC Sochi. His NHL wins remain limited due to his role as a backup, but his first NHL victory in April 2017 and his overtime win with Pittsburgh in November 2023 underscore his ability to deliver in relief and spot starts.
NHL Highlights
Hellberg’s most celebrated NHL win came on 9 April 2017, when he stopped 22 of 24 shots to lead the Rangers past the Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2 in the season finale. Nearly seven years later, on 9 November 2023, he earned his first NHL victory with the Pittsburgh Penguins, turning aside the Los Angeles Kings 4–3 in overtime after entering the lineup in relief the previous week.
Other Wins and Performances
In the KHL, Hellberg recorded 16 wins for Kunlun Red Star during the 2017–18 season and posted five shutouts for HC Sochi in 2021–22. In the AHL, he played a full 2014–15 season with the Milwaukee Admirals and went on to record nine wins with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2023–24.
Magnus Hellberg Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Magnus Hellberg’s family background is limited. He was raised in Uppsala, Sweden, and developed through the Swedish hockey system that has produced many of the country’s top goaltenders.
Personal Life
Hellberg has kept much of his personal life private. No public information is available regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Magnus Hellberg is preparing for the 2025–26 SHL season with Djurgårdens IF after signing a three-year contract with the Stockholm-based club on 12 June 2025. The agreement signaled his return to Swedish top-flight hockey following a season split between the Dallas Stars organization and the Texas Stars of the AHL.
At Djurgårdens IF, he is expected to compete for the starting goaltender role, bringing more than 15 years of professional experience across the SHL, AHL, ECHL, KHL, and NHL. His arrival provides the club with a seasoned veteran presence as it shapes its roster for the new season.
Fans and analysts will be watching to see how quickly Hellberg adjusts back to the European style of play, and whether his KHL and NHL experience can translate into consistent performances for Djurgårdens IF during the 2025–26 campaign.