Adam Larsson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adam Larsson
Larsson with the Seattle Kraken in January 2023
Born	(1992-11-12) 12 November 1992 (age 32) Skellefteå, Sweden
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Seattle Kraken Skellefteå AIK New Jersey Devils Edmonton Oilers
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	4th overall, 2011 New Jersey Devils
Playing career	2009–present

Nils Erik Adam Larsson (born 12 November 1992) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is also an alternate captain for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL).

The New Jersey Devils chose him as the fourth player overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft. At the time, he was the youngest player on his Swedish team, Skellefteå AIK. He was the first defenceman and the first player trained in Europe to be picked in that year's draft.

Early life

Adam Larsson was born in Skellefteå, Sweden. His father, Robert Larsson, was also a professional hockey player. He played 249 games for Skellefteå AIK from 1985 to 1995. Even though the Los Angeles Kings drafted him in 1988, he never played in North America. Adam is the middle child, with an older brother named Hampus and a younger sister named Julia.

Playing career

Skellefteå AIK (2009–2011)

Larsson started his career in Sweden. During the 2009–10 season, he had a breakout year with Skellefteå AIK in the Elitserien, Sweden's top league. He was so good that he tied a record for the most points by a defenceman under 18 years old.

The next season, an injury limited his playing time. He was nominated for the Rookie of the Year award, but his teammate Mattias Ekholm won it.

New Jersey Devils (2011–2016)

In 2011, the New Jersey Devils drafted Larsson. This was a big step in his career, moving to the best hockey league in the world. He signed a three-year contract and made the team right away. At 18, he was the first defenceman that young to play for the Devils in over 15 years.

He quickly became an important player, scoring his first NHL goal on 11 November 2011. By the middle of his first season, he was leading all rookie defencemen in points. His great performance earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Rookie SuperSkills Competition.

Larsson helped the Devils reach the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. In his first playoff game, he scored a goal, becoming the first rookie defenceman in Devils history to do so.

Over the next few seasons, Larsson split his time between the Devils and their minor league team, the Albany Devils. He continued to grow as a player, becoming known for his strong defensive skills. In 2015, he signed a new six-year contract to stay with the Devils.

Larsson with the New Jersey Devils in April 2014.

Edmonton Oilers (2016–2021)

On 29 June 2016, Larsson was part of a major trade. The Devils sent him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for star forward Taylor Hall. Many experts were surprised by the trade, but the Oilers wanted a strong defenceman like Larsson.

In Edmonton, he played on the top defensive pairing with Oscar Klefbom. They became a key part of the team's success. Larsson was known for being a physical and reliable player. He helped the Oilers make the playoffs in 2017 for the first time in many years. During the playoffs, he scored two goals in one game to help the Oilers win a key match against the Anaheim Ducks.

Larsson with the Oilers in January 2017.

Before the 2017–18 season, Larsson was named an alternate captain for the Oilers. That season was difficult for him personally, as he had to miss several games due to a family tragedy. For his strength and dedication to hockey during this tough time, he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

He continued to be a top defenceman for the Oilers for several more seasons. He played in all 82 games during the 2018–19 season. After an injury in 2019, he returned to help the team before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seattle Kraken (2021–present)

On 21 July 2021, the Seattle Kraken, a new NHL team, selected Larsson in the 2021 NHL expansion draft. He immediately signed a four-year contract with them. Larsson said that leaving Edmonton was partly because it was hard to be in the city after his father's death.

He was named one of the team's first alternate captains. In Seattle, he quickly became a leader on defence. Coach Dave Hakstol called him a "warrior" for the team because of his tough play. During the 2021-22 season, he scored the first overtime game-winning goal in Kraken history. He finished the season with a career-high 25 points.

Larsson (left) and Jonathan Toews battling for the puck in April 2023.

In the 2022–23 season, Larsson continued to play well with his defensive partner, Vince Dunn. He played in his 700th NHL game and set a franchise record for the longest point streak, which was later broken by Dunn.

International play

Larsson playing for Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
Medal record
Representing Sweden
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2018 Denmark
Bronze	2025 Sweden/Denmark
World Junior Championship
Bronze	2010 Canada
IIHF World U18 Championship
Silver	2010 Belarus

Larsson has often played for his home country of Sweden in international tournaments. As a junior player, he won a bronze medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2010 World U18 Championships.

With the Swedish men's national team, he won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. He played so well that he was named to the tournament's All-Star team. He has represented Sweden at several other World Championships, including in 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	Sweden	U18	5th		6	0	2	2	4
2010	Sweden	WJC			6	1	3	4	0
2010	Sweden	U18			5	2	1	3	12
2011	Sweden	WJC	4th		6	1	3	4	4
2016	Sweden	WC	6th		8	1	3	4	4
2018	Sweden	WC			10	1	2	3	10
2019	Sweden	WC	5th		8	1	3	4	8
2022	Sweden	WC	6th		8	1	1	2	6
Junior totals					23	4	9	13	20
Senior totals					34	4	9	13	28

Awards and honours