Marcus Högberg Bio
Marcus Högberg, born on 25 November 1994, is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 196 cm tall and weighing 101 kg, Högberg brings size and a calm presence to the net. He was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the third round, 78th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, marking the beginning of his professional path in North America.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Högberg was born and raised in Örebro, Sweden, a city with a strong hockey tradition that has produced several Swedish professional players. Growing up in this environment gave him early exposure to the sport and shaped his interest in goaltending from a young age. Swedish youth development systems, known for their emphasis on skating and fundamentals, helped him build the technical foundation that would later define his career.
Högberg progressed through local and regional programs before reaching the junior ranks of Swedish hockey. His size and athletic style drew attention from scouts as he matured, and his performances in Sweden’s developmental leagues positioned him as a promising goaltending prospect. By the time he reached draft eligibility in 2013, he had already begun to appear in the Swedish Hockey League, signaling his readiness for the professional level.
Path to Hockey
Högberg entered the professional ranks with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), making his debut during the 2012–13 season. Shortly after, on 17 March 2013, Linköping announced that he would be loaned to Mora IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan for the 2013–14 season, giving him additional playing time at the second-tier level. The move allowed him to face more challenging competition and develop his game under increased pressure.
After spending four seasons developing in the SHL, Högberg attracted the attention of NHL scouts. On 30 March 2017, the Ottawa Senators signed him to a two-year entry-level contract, officially beginning his North American career. He was then assigned a professional try-out deal with the Senators’ AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, to close out the 2016–17 season and gain a foothold in the professional ranks on the other side of the Atlantic.
Marcus Högberg Career
Early Career (2012–2017)
Marcus Högberg’s early career unfolded across Swedish and North American developmental systems. His initial seasons with Linköping HC in the SHL offered him top-flight experience in one of Europe’s strongest leagues, and his subsequent loan to Mora IK broadened his exposure. These formative years helped him refine his positioning, rebound control, and ability to handle high shot volumes.
After signing with the Ottawa Senators organization in March 2017, Högberg was quickly introduced to the North American professional game. He closed the 2016–17 season with the Binghamton Senators and began adjusting to the smaller rink dimensions and quicker pace that distinguish the AHL from the SHL. This transition period laid the groundwork for the opportunities that would follow in subsequent seasons.
Ottawa Senators Organization (2017–2021)
Högberg split most of the 2017–18 season between the AHL’s Belleville Senators and the Ottawa Senators’ ECHL affiliate, the Brampton Beast. The arrangement gave him a steady diet of professional minutes and allowed him to compete at multiple levels within the organization’s system. He continued to develop his consistency and adapt to the North American style of play during this period.
The 2018–19 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Högberg. He began the campaign with Belleville but was reassigned to the ECHL on 27 November before being recalled to the AHL. After playing seven games at the higher level, he was recalled to the NHL on 22 December 2018 and made his NHL debut on 29 December against the Washington Capitals, making 21 saves in a 3–2 loss. On 19 June 2019, he was rewarded with a two-year contract extension, with the second year at a one-way value of $700,000, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his potential.
Return to Linköping HC (2021–2024)
Following five seasons within the Senators organization, Högberg opted to return to his original Swedish club as an impending free agent. On 17 June 2021, he signed a four-year contract with Linköping HC of the SHL. The decision allowed him to return to familiar surroundings and take on a larger role with his former team.
Over three seasons with Linköping, Högberg compiled several successful campaigns in the SHL, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable starting goaltender in one of Europe’s top leagues. His experience and poise helped stabilize the Linköping net, and he remained an integral part of the team’s competitive efforts throughout his time there.
New York Islanders Era (2024–Present)
Following the 2023–24 season, Högberg exercised his NHL out clause from his remaining year with Linköping HC and signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the New York Islanders on 7 May 2024. The move signaled his readiness to re-establish himself at the NHL level after three productive years in Sweden. He was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL as part of the organization’s depth structure.
On 11 January 2025, Högberg earned his first win with the Islanders organization at the NHL level when New York defeated the Utah Hockey Club 2–1. The victory marked an important personal milestone and offered a glimpse of his potential contribution to the franchise as the season progressed.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 196 cm and 101 kg, Högberg is a tall, athletic goaltender who relies on his size to cover the upper portions of the net effectively. He plays a composed, positionally sound style, tracking pucks well through traffic and managing rebounds with patience. His background in the SHL, known for its structured and skilled offensive play, has helped him develop strong anticipation and shot-reading skills.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable milestones, Högberg’s NHL debut on 29 December 2018 against the Washington Capitals stands out as the moment he reached North America’s top league. His first NHL win with the New York Islanders on 11 January 2025, a 2–1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, represents another career-defining achievement in his ongoing professional journey.
Marcus Högberg Career Wins
Marcus Högberg’s career wins are spread across multiple leagues, including the SHL, the AHL, the ECHL, and the NHL. His first NHL win came on 11 January 2025 with the Islanders, while his broader list of victories includes seasons with Linköping HC in Sweden and various affiliates within the Ottawa Senators organization.
SHL and AHL Highlights
Högberg posted multiple strong seasons with Linköping HC in the SHL between 2012 and 2017, and again from 2021 to 2024, contributing important wins during those campaigns. Within the Senators organization, he earned wins at both the AHL level with Belleville and the ECHL level with the Brampton Beast, building a steady professional resume across North American minor leagues.
Other Wins & Performances
During his loan to Mora IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan in 2013–14, Högberg gained valuable experience and contributed to the team’s efforts at Sweden’s second tier. His combined record across Swedish and North American leagues reflects a goaltender who has consistently delivered in a variety of competitive environments.
Marcus Högberg Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Marcus Högberg’s family background and personal lineage are not widely documented in publicly available sources. As a Swedish athlete who rose through the country’s youth development system, his path to professional hockey was shaped by the broader Swedish hockey culture rather than a specific family racing or sporting lineage.
Personal Life
Marcus Högberg maintains a private personal life, and limited public information is available about his relationships or family outside of hockey. He is known to hail from Örebro, Sweden, the city where he was born and raised before pursuing his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a fresh chapter for Marcus Högberg with the New York Islanders organization. After joining the club on a two-year deal in May 2024, he spent the early portion of the season working within the Islanders’ goaltending depth chart, with assignments involving the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL. His NHL debut win on 11 January 2025 against the Utah Hockey Club served as a key early milestone in his Islanders tenure.
As the season progresses, Högberg’s role within the Islanders’ goaltending rotation is expected to evolve based on performance and team needs. His experience across the SHL and AHL provides him with the resilience required to compete for additional NHL appearances, and his strong technical base offers a steady option when called upon.
Looking ahead, Högberg’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on solidifying his position within the Islanders’ system and contributing meaningful minutes whenever given the opportunity. His combination of size, experience, and calm demeanor positions him as a reliable depth option for one of the NHL’s most demanding franchises.