William Eklund Bio
William Eklund (born 12 October 2002) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Widely viewed as the top international prospect for the 2021 NHL entry draft, he was selected seventh overall by the San Jose Sharks. Eklund made his debut in the Swedish Hockey League on 4 January 2020 with Djurgårdens IF and has since developed into a regular contributor for the Sharks while also spending time with their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Early Life and Background
William Eklund was born on 12 October 2002 in Haninge, Sweden, and grew up in a household with strong ties to ice hockey. His father, Christian Eklund, is a former hockey player who also played for Djurgårdens IF, giving William an early understanding of the professional game through family example. That connection to Djurgårdens IF shaped his earliest training environment and helped him step into one of Sweden’s most competitive club systems at a young age.
Eklund’s brother, Victor, is also a hockey player, and William has four younger step-siblings. Growing up alongside a competitive sibling and a father who had played at a high level created a household where hockey was a daily focus. The family environment in Sweden, where youth development programs are closely linked to top-flight clubs, gave Eklund a clear pathway into organized competition from an early stage of his junior career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Eklund’s rise through the Swedish system was marked by steady progression rather than a single breakout moment. He developed inside the Djurgårdens IF organization and earned his first senior opportunity in the Swedish Hockey League during the 2019–20 season. His debut on 4 January 2020, a 4–2 road win over IK Oskarshamn, signaled that the club viewed him as a legitimate contributor at the top level despite his age.
He played 20 regular-season games during the remainder of the 2019–20 SHL season and recorded two points, then opened the 2020–21 SHL season with five points in his first eight games. Those performances placed him on the radar of NHL scouts and pushed him toward the top of draft boards. By the time the 2021 NHL entry draft arrived, NHL Central Scouting had tabbed him as the top international prospect, and the San Jose Sharks selected him seventh overall.
William Eklund Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Eklund’s earliest professional chapter came with Djurgårdens IF, where he transitioned from junior hockey into the Swedish Hockey League. Across parts of two SHL seasons, he showed enough consistency as a young forward to be trusted in regular line-up spots. His production and poise during that stretch formed the foundation for his transition to North American professional hockey.
He also represented Sweden at the international level, making his senior debut on 28 April 2021 in a friendly against Denmark, where he scored one goal and added one assist. A planned appearance at the 2021 World Junior Championships did not materialize after he tested positive for COVID-19, which kept him off the final tournament roster.
San Jose Sharks Arrival (2021–2023)
Eklund signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on 16 August 2021 and made his NHL debut on 16 October 2021, recording an assist in a 4–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. After nine games with the Sharks, he was reassigned back to Sweden on 5 November 2021 to continue his development. That split-season approach allowed him to keep playing meaningful minutes while adjusting to the pace and physicality of the North American game.
During the 2022–23 season, Eklund dressed for both the Sharks and the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League, splitting time between the two affiliates. He scored his first NHL goal on 14 March 2023, in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. By the end of that season, he had established himself as a forward the Sharks could count on at the NHL level.
San Jose Sharks Establishment (2023–Present)
Eklund played a full NHL season with the Sharks in 2023–24, taking on a regular role in the forward group after his entry-level deal expired. The Sharks continued to use him in offensive situations, and his comfort in the league grew as he logged more games against top competition.
In July 2025, Eklund signed a three-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, locking in his place with the franchise through the 2027–28 season. That commitment reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term role as a core forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Eklund is recognized as a skilled two-way forward with strong playmaking vision and a reliable work ethic away from the puck. His background in the Swedish Hockey League helped him develop a detail-oriented, possession-based style that translates well to modern NHL systems. He combines creativity on the attack with responsible defensive habits, which has made him a trusted piece of the Sharks’ forward group.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of Eklund’s career are his SHL debut on 4 January 2020, his NHL debut on 16 October 2021 against the Winnipeg Jets, and his first NHL goal on 14 March 2023 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. His seventh-overall selection in the 2021 NHL entry draft and his July 2025 contract extension stand as the key markers of his rise from top international prospect to established NHL forward.
William Eklund Career Wins
Across his time in the Swedish Hockey League and the NHL, Eklund has accumulated a series of individual and team milestones that trace his growth as a forward. While detailed win totals by league are not all consistently documented, his key victories include his first SHL appearance in a 4–2 win over IK Oskarshamn, his NHL debut in a 4–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, and his senior international debut against Denmark.
SHL Highlights
During his stint with Djurgårdens IF, Eklund appeared in 20 regular-season games in 2019–20, finishing with two points, and added five points in his first eight games of the 2020–21 season. His debut against IK Oskarshamn stands as the first verified win of his top-flight senior career, and his production during that stretch helped position him as a leading Swedish prospect.
NHL Highlights
In the NHL, Eklund’s most notable win to date is his debut performance against the Winnipeg Jets, where he recorded his first point with an assist in a 4–3 victory. He has continued to add to his win totals as a regular member of the Sharks’ forward group through the 2023–24 season and beyond.
William Eklund Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
William Eklund comes from a hockey family rooted in Sweden’s competitive club system. His father, Christian Eklund, played professional hockey and spent time with Djurgårdens IF, the same club where William began his senior career. His brother, Victor, also plays hockey and was drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft, continuing the family’s presence at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Eklund has four younger step-siblings alongside his brother Victor, making for a busy and sport-focused household. He is Swedish by nationality and continues his professional career in North America with the San Jose Sharks, with his father and brother both involved in the hockey world at competitive levels.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been defined for Eklund by long-term security and on-ice opportunity. In July 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, committing to the franchise through the 2027–28 season and underscoring his status as a core piece of the team’s forward group. That stability allows him to focus fully on production and consistency as the Sharks continue building around young talent.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Eklund is expected to play a featured role in San Jose’s offensive structure, drawing on his SHL background and his growing NHL experience. With the organization investing in him through 2028, his performance over the 2025 season is likely to serve as a benchmark for the next phase of his development. The combination of a locked-in contract, a familiar organization, and a clear role positions him to take another step forward in the year ahead.