Aaron Ekblad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aaron Ekblad
Ekblad with the Florida Panthers in 2023
Born	(1996-02-07) February 7, 1996 (age 29) Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Florida Panthers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	1st overall, 2014 Florida Panthers
Playing career	2014–present

Aaron Ekblad (born February 7, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is also an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Aaron was chosen first overall in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft. Later, the Panthers picked him first overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft. He started playing in the NHL that same year. In his first season, Aaron was picked for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. He also won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie. Aaron won the amazing Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024.

Before joining the NHL, Aaron played for the Barrie Colts in the OHL. He was given "exceptional player status" by Hockey Canada. This allowed him to play in a higher league a year earlier than most players. Aaron now holds the record for most games played and points scored by a defenceman in Florida Panthers history.

Aaron Ekblad's Hockey Journey

Early Years and Junior Hockey

In 2010–11, Aaron played for the Sun County Panthers. This was a minor midget AAA team in Belle River, Ontario. He scored 34 points in 30 regular season games. He also added 21 points in 18 playoff games. Aaron was the captain of his team. He led them to win an alliance championship.

Becoming an Exceptional Player

Aaron wanted to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft a year early. He was the only player born in 1996 to ask for this. Hockey Canada reviewed his request for six weeks. They approved it unanimously. This made Aaron the first defenceman ever to get "exceptional player status." This special status allowed him to play in the OHL a year earlier. Only a few other players have ever received this special permission. These include famous players like John Tavares and Connor McDavid.

In 2014, OHL coaches voted on the best players. Aaron won top honors in four different areas. He was voted best shot, hardest shot, best offensive defenceman, and best defensive defenceman. He was also voted second best at killing penalties.

Starting His NHL Career

The Florida Panthers picked Aaron first overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft. This happened on June 27, 2014. He then signed a three-year contract with the Panthers. Aaron made the Panthers' team for the 2014–15 season. He played his first NHL game on October 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In that game, he got his first NHL point, an assist. Aaron scored his first NHL goal on November 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

On December 6, Aaron scored three points in one game. This was a career high for him. He was the first Panthers rookie defenceman to do this since 1999. On January 23, 2015, Aaron was chosen for the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He was an injury replacement for another player. In the All-Star Game, Aaron had four assists.

Rookie Season Highlights

Aaron finished his first NHL season with 12 goals and 27 assists. That's 39 points in 81 games. He led all rookie defencemen in goals and power play goals. He also set new team records for rookie defencemen in goals, assists, and points. On April 23, Aaron was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best rookie of the year. On June 24, Aaron was announced as the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Ekblad with the Florida Panthers in 2022.

During the next season, Aaron missed some games. This was to recover from a concussion. He suffered another concussion in the 2016–17 season. On July 2, 2016, Aaron signed a big eight-year contract with the Panthers. He was also named an alternate captain for the team.

On February 3, 2018, Aaron reached a special milestone. He became one of only 15 defencemen in NHL history to score 10 or more goals in each of his first four seasons.

On March 28, 2021, Aaron had a serious leg injury. He needed surgery and was out for 12 weeks. This ended his season early.

On March 18, 2022, Aaron made Panthers history. He recorded three assists, giving him 291 career points. This made him the highest-scoring defenceman in Panthers history. On December 16, he played his 574th NHL game. This made him the defenceman with the most games played for the Panthers.

Winning the Stanley Cup

On June 24, 2024, Aaron Ekblad achieved a huge dream. He won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. They won the seventh and final game of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals series.

Playing for Team Canada

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2015 Czech Republic
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold	2013 Czech Republic

In August 2014, Aaron was at a training camp for the Canadian junior team. They were getting ready for the 2015 World Junior Championships. During an exhibition game, Aaron suffered a concussion.

Aaron played for the Canadian senior team at the 2015 World Championship. They won the gold medal. It was Canada's first gold medal at this event since 2007. They had a perfect record of 10 wins and 0 losses.

Aaron was also invited to play for Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This was a new team made up of young players aged 23 or younger. He was named an alternate captain for this team. During the tournament, he had an upper body injury and had to leave early.

On April 12, 2018, Aaron was again named to the Canadian senior team. He competed at the 2018 World Championship.

Personal Life

Aaron's brother, Darien, is a goaltender. He was drafted into the OHL by the London Knights. Aaron went to Innisdale Secondary School. He was an honor roll student there. Aaron was born in Windsor, but he grew up in Belle River, Ontario. His great-grandfather was Swedish. That's where his last name "Ekblad" comes from.

During his rookie year in the NHL, Aaron lived with veteran player Willie Mitchell and his family.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours