Mattias Ekholm Bio
Mattias Hans Ekholm is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 225 pounds, he has built his reputation as a reliable two-way defenceman known for steady defensive play and timely contributions at both ends of the ice. Drafted in the fourth round, 102nd overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Ekholm has developed into one of the more dependable Swedish blueliners of his generation through more than a decade of professional hockey.
Born and raised in Borlänge, in the Dalarna region of Sweden, Ekholm rose through the Swedish hockey system before making the jump to North America. His career has spanned stints with Mora IK, Brynäs IF, the Nashville Predators, and the Edmonton Oilers, giving him experience in both the Swedish Elite League and the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Mattias Hans Ekholm was born on 24 May 1990 in Borlänge, a city in the Dalarna region of central Sweden. The area has a strong tradition of winter sports, and ice hockey has long been one of the most popular pastimes for young athletes growing up there. Ekholm was introduced to the game at a young age and progressed through local youth programs before joining the development system of Mora IK, one of the prominent clubs in the region.
As a teenager, Ekholm balanced his schooling with an increasingly demanding hockey schedule, training with Mora IK’s junior teams while continuing his education. His size and mobility made him a natural fit for the defence position, and by his late teens he was already drawing attention from Swedish top-division scouts. That growth set the stage for his entry into senior hockey and, eventually, the NHL draft.
Path to Hockey
Ekholm began his senior career with Mora IK of the Swedish Hockey League during the 2007–08 season, working his way into a regular role on the club’s defence corps. His play at the junior and senior levels in Sweden caught the eye of NHL scouts, and he was selected 102nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Following the draft, Ekholm participated in the Predators’ 2009 Development Camp before returning to Sweden to continue his development. He was loaned to Brynäs IF for the 2010–11 Elitserien season, where he quickly emerged as one of the league’s top rookie defencemen. Ekholm recorded seven goals and five assists in his first 14 games with Brynäs, was named the first of four Rookie of the Year candidates, and ultimately won the award. That breakthrough performance confirmed his readiness to transition to North American professional hockey.
Mattias Ekholm Career
Early Career (2007–2011)
Ekholm’s earliest professional seasons were spent in Sweden, where he developed under the Swedish Elite League system. After starting with Mora IK from 2007 to 2010, he moved to Brynäs IF for the 2010–11 season. The change of scenery gave him a larger role, and he responded by producing at a high rate early in the campaign.
His play for Brynäs earned him the Elitserien Rookie of the Year award for 2010–11, capping a developmental arc that prepared him for the NHL. During this period, Ekholm also represented Sweden in international junior events, sharpening his game against top-level competition.
Nashville Predators Era (2011–2023)
Following the 2010–11 season, Ekholm signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Predators. After attending Nashville’s training camp, he was named to the Predators’ opening night roster for 2011–12, though he was a healthy scratch for the first five games before making his NHL debut against the Phoenix Coyotes. He played two games with Nashville before returning to Brynäs for the remainder of the season under a predetermined agreement with the Predators. Back in Sweden, he produced offensively and won the Börje Salming Award as the top defenceman in the Swedish Elite League after recording eight goals and 16 points in 40 regular-season games.
Ekholm returned to Nashville for the 2012–13 season but was assigned to the Predators’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He led Milwaukee defencemen in scoring early in the year and earned an emergency recall to the NHL in April 2013, finishing the season with 32 points through 59 AHL games. The following year, 2013–14, marked his first full NHL campaign, as he played on Nashville’s third pairing alongside Seth Jones and Shea Weber. He scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Sharks on 7 January 2014 and finished the season with nine points through 62 games while being one of only six NHL defencemen to play at least 50 games with 10 or fewer penalty minutes, earning a two-year, $2.075 million contract.
During the 2014–15 season, Ekholm changed his jersey number to 14 to match his World Championship number and set career highs with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. On 19 September 2017, he was named an alternate captain of the Predators alongside Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg. After working through an injury in February 2021, he signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension on 13 October 2021 with an annual average value of $6.25 million, cementing his status as a core member of the Nashville blueline.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2023–Present)
During the 2022–23 season, on 28 February 2023, Ekholm and a 2023 sixth-round pick were traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, defenceman Tyson Barrie, and forward prospect Reid Schaefer. He made his Oilers debut on 1 March 2023 in a 5–2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his first goal as an Oiler on 11 March 2023 in a 7–4 loss to Toronto. Quickly paired with Evan Bouchard, Ekholm provided stability on Edmonton’s defence and became a steady presence during the club’s playoff push.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ekholm is valued for his size, calmness under pressure, and efficient puck movement from the back end. He is comfortable in shutdown roles against top opposing lines and has shown the offensive touch to contribute on the power play, particularly when paired with a skilled partner like Evan Bouchard.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Ekholm’s career are his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks in January 2014, his Börje Salming Award as the top Swedish Elite League defenceman, his Elitserien Rookie of the Year honour in 2010–11, and his alternate captaincy with the Predators in 2017. His February 2023 trade to the Edmonton Oilers marked the start of a new chapter in his career.
Mattias Ekholm Career Wins
Mattias Ekholm has collected a series of team and individual honours across his professional career in Sweden and the NHL, including the Elitserien Rookie of the Year award in 2010–11 and the Börje Salming Award as the top defenceman in the Swedish Elite League. His consistent play has earned him long-term contracts and leadership roles at every stop.
Nashville Predators Highlights
During more than a decade in Nashville, Ekholm established himself as one of the Predators’ most dependable defencemen, highlighted by his first NHL goal in January 2014, his selection as an alternate captain in 2017, and a four-year contract extension in 2021 worth $25 million.
Other Wins and Performances
In Sweden, Ekholm captured the Elitserien Rookie of the Year award with Brynäs IF in 2010–11 and was later named the top defenceman in the league with the Börje Salming Award. He has also represented Sweden in international competition.
Mattias Ekholm Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mattias Ekholm grew up in Borlänge in the Dalarna region of Sweden, a community with deep roots in Swedish ice hockey. Specific details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad, a former sports broadcaster. The couple has three children together. His family has accompanied him throughout his career moves between Sweden, Nashville, and Edmonton.
2025 Season Performance
Mattias Ekholm entered the 2025 season as a key part of the Edmonton Oilers’ defence corps, continuing his partnership with Evan Bouchard on the top pairing. His steady two-way game has remained central to the Oilers’ push in the competitive Western Conference, and he has logged significant minutes in both even-strength and special-teams situations.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Ekholm has provided the defensive reliability and puck-moving ability that have defined his career. His experience and leadership have been important factors as the Oilers chase another deep playoff run.
Looking ahead, Ekholm remains a foundational piece of Edmonton’s blueline, and his performance in 2025 will play a major role in determining how far the Oilers can advance in the postseason.