Alexander Edler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexander Edler
Edler with the Vancouver Canucks in October 2013
Born	(1986-04-21) 21 April 1986 (age 39) Östersund, Sweden
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Vancouver Canucks Los Angeles Kings
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	91st overall, 2004 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2003–2023

Ulf Niklas Alexander Edler (born 21 April 1986) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Edler played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings.

The Canucks drafted him in 2004. He was picked 91st overall in the third round. Before the NHL, he played junior hockey in Sweden and North America. Edler became a full-time NHL player in the 2007–08 season. He was chosen for the NHL All-Star Game in 2012.

Edler also played for Sweden four times. He won a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championships and a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. He was known as an offensive defenceman. He had a calm style and a powerful slapshot. Many consider Edler one of the best defencemen in Canucks history. He holds team records for goals and points by a defenceman.

Playing Career

Early Years in Sweden and Junior Hockey (2001–2006)

Alexander Edler started playing hockey at a young age. He played for his hometown team, Jämtland, in Sweden. This was at the under-17 level in 2001 and 2002. In 2003–04, he joined Jämtlands HF. This was a professional team in Sweden's third-tier league. He scored three goals and nine points in 24 games.

Edler was not well-known during his NHL entry draft year. But the Vancouver Canucks scout, Thomas Gradin, saw him play. Gradin was impressed with Edler's skills. He encouraged the Canucks to draft him. The Canucks traded a draft pick to get Edler. They picked him 91st overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft. Other teams, like the Detroit Red Wings, were also interested in him.

After being drafted, Edler moved to play for Modo Hockey's junior team. He scored 8 goals and 23 points in 33 games in 2004–05. The Canucks then encouraged him to play junior hockey in North America. In 2005, he joined the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL). In his only WHL season, he scored 13 goals and 53 points in 62 games. He helped the Rockets reach the playoffs.

Time with the Vancouver Canucks (2006–2021)

Edler signed his first NHL contract with the Canucks in 2006. He started playing for their minor league team, the Manitoba Moose. But soon, he was called up to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on 4 November 2006. On 30 November, he scored his first NHL goal. It was against the Anaheim Ducks. He played 22 games for the Canucks that season.

In the 2007–08 season, Edler became a full-time Canucks player. He played in the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game. He played 75 games that season. He scored eight goals and 20 points. This was impressive for a young defenceman.

In October 2008, Edler signed a new four-year contract. He continued to improve his game. In February 2009, he had a great game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored one goal and three assists for four points. He finished the season with 37 points. He also had ten goals, a career high at the time. In the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, he led Canucks defencemen with seven points.

Edler kept getting better in the 2009–10 season. He had 37 assists and 42 points. He missed some games due to an arm injury. In the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, he had six points. The Canucks were again eliminated by the Blackhawks. Edler hurt his ankle in the last game of that series.

For the 2010–11 season, Edler was playing very well. But he suffered a back injury in January 2011. He had surgery and missed two and a half months. He returned for the end of the season. The Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy that year. They made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. Edler played through the playoffs with two broken fingers. He had 11 points in 25 playoff games.

Edler (right) talking with Canucks assistant coach Rick Bowness during a Canucks practice in March 2012

In the 2011–12 season, Edler took on a bigger role. He was selected for his first NHL All-Star Game in January 2012. He played all 82 games that season. He set new personal bests with 11 goals, 38 assists, and 49 points. He was one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL. The Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy again. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs.

On 18 January 2013, Edler signed a new six-year contract. It was worth $30 million. He continued to be a key player for the Canucks.

On 2 March 2018, Edler made history. He passed Mattias Öhlund for most points by a Canucks defenceman. On 22 December 2018, he also passed Öhlund for most games played by a Canucks defenceman. Edler scored his 94th career goal on 28 March 2019. This broke Öhlund's record for most goals by a Canucks defenceman. Even with injuries, Edler had a strong season in 2018–19.

On 20 June 2019, Edler signed another two-year contract. On 16 January 2020, he broke another record. He passed Dennis Kearns for most assists by a Canucks defenceman. After Christopher Tanev left in 2020, Edler was the last player remaining from the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals team.

Playing for the Los Angeles Kings (2021–2023)

On 28 July 2021, Alexander Edler left the Canucks. He had played his entire 15-year career with them. He signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

Edler with the Los Angeles Kings in October 2022

He got his first point for the Kings on 23 October 2021. On 2 December 2021, Edler scored his 100th career NHL goal. It was also his first goal as a King. He suffered a leg injury on 11 December 2021. He missed 36 games because of it. He returned to play in March 2022.

On 12 July 2022, Edler signed another one-year contract with the Kings. He played his 1,000th NHL game on 31 December 2022. This was a big milestone for his career.

Retirement from Hockey

On 17 September 2024, the Canucks announced Edler's retirement. He signed a special one-day contract. This allowed him to officially retire as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. His retirement ceremony took place on 11 October 2024.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Silver	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2017 Germany/France
Gold	2013 Sweden/Finland

Edler first played for Sweden's junior team in 2006. This was at the World Junior Championships. He had one assist in the tournament. Sweden finished in fifth place.

Two years later, Edler joined Sweden's men's team. He played in the 2008 IIHF World Championships. He scored his first international goal in a game against France. Sweden finished in fourth place. Edler had one goal and two assists in eight games.

Edler played in the 2013 IIHF World Championships. He was suspended for the last two games due to a play on the ice. But Sweden won the gold medal. Edler still received a medal. The IIHF extended his suspension. This meant he missed Sweden's first two games at the 2014 Winter Olympics. He later joined the team. He helped Sweden win the silver medal. He also won another gold medal at the 2017 World Championship.

Playing Style

Edler (centre) keeps Ryan Smyth (right) away from Roberto Luongo (left) and the Canucks' net in April 2010.

Alexander Edler was known as an offensive defenceman. This means he was good at helping his team score goals. One of his best skills was his powerful slapshot. He often won the "hardest shot" competition at team events.

He was also very calm and confident with the puck. This helped him make good passes to his teammates. Early in his career, he wasn't known for being very physical. But over time, he became stronger. He learned to hit opposing players hard. His teammates noticed his growth. They said he became a very strong and impactful player.

Personal Life

Alexander Edler was born in Östersund, Sweden. He has a brother named Jens and a sister named Katarina. He started playing hockey when he was six years old. Edler has a home in Vancouver. He met his wife, Aman, there. They have two daughters, Emme and River.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006	Sweden	WJC	5th		6	0	1	1	6
2008	Sweden	WC	4th		8	1	2	3	12
2013	Sweden	WC			2	0	1	1	25
2014	Sweden	OG			4	1	1	2	0
2017	Sweden	WC			10	2	2	4	4
Junior totals					6	0	1	1	6
Senior totals					24	4	6	10	41

Awards and Honors