Elias Lindholm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elias Lindholm
Lindholm with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born	(1994-12-02) 2 December 1994 (age 30) Boden, Sweden
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Forward
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Boston Bruins Brynäs IF Carolina Hurricanes Calgary Flames Vancouver Canucks
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	5th overall, 2013 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2011–present

Elias Lindholm (born 2 December 1994) is a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. He plays as a forward for the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Carolina Hurricanes picked him fifth overall in the 2013 NHL entry draft. He played his first five NHL seasons with the Hurricanes.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Sweden

Elias Lindholm began his hockey journey playing for Brynäs IF's junior teams in Sweden. He was a strong scorer for their under-18 team. In the 2011 KHL Junior Draft, SKA St. Petersburg chose him in the fourth round.

During the 2011–12 season, Lindholm joined Brynäs IF's main team in Sweden's top league, Elitserien. He also played in important tournaments like the 2011 World Junior A Challenge and the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships.

The next season, Lindholm was the top junior player in the Elitserien. He scored 30 points, with 11 goals and 19 assists. He also helped Sweden's U20 team win a silver medal at the World Junior Championship.

Time with the Carolina Hurricanes (2013–2018)

After being drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, Lindholm started playing in the NHL right away in the 2013–14 NHL season. He scored his first NHL goal in just his fourth game on 10 October 2013. At 18 years and 311 days old, he became the youngest Swedish player to score an NHL goal.

On 8 March 2015, Lindholm achieved his first career hat trick. This means he scored three goals in one game, helping his team win 7–4 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Years with the Calgary Flames (2018–2024)

On 23 June 2018, Lindholm was traded to the Calgary Flames along with his teammate Noah Hanifin. He then signed a six-year contract with the Flames. In his first season with Calgary, the 2018–19 season, Lindholm played on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. All three players had their best scoring years, with Lindholm getting 27 goals and 78 points.

In the next season, he scored even more goals, reaching 29. This was despite the season ending early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He became one of the Flames' most important forwards. When the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs happened later in a special "bubble" setup, the Flames won their first series but then lost to the Dallas Stars. Lindholm scored two goals and four assists in 10 playoff games.

Lindholm and Kailer Yamamoto of the Seattle Kraken battle for the puck in 2023.

The 2020–21 season had a different format due to the pandemic. All Canadian teams played in a special "North Division." The Flames had a tough year, and their coach was changed. The new coach, Darryl Sutter, moved Lindholm back to playing center. He played on a successful line with Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. He scored 19 goals and 28 assists in only 56 games. However, the Flames did not make it to the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The 2021–22 season saw the NHL return to its normal divisions. This was one of the most successful seasons in Flames history. Lindholm, Gaudreau, and Tkachuk formed one of the best lines in the NHL. Lindholm scored his 40th goal on 23 April 2022. It was the first time in his career he reached 40 goals. Gaudreau and Tkachuk also scored 40 goals, which was very rare for three linemates. Lindholm finished the season with 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 points. The Flames won their division. Lindholm was also nominated for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the best defensive forward.

In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Flames played the Dallas Stars. Lindholm scored the only goal in their 1–0 win in Game 1. The Flames won the series in seven games. They then faced the Edmonton Oilers in the "Battle of Alberta" playoffs for the first time in 31 years. The Oilers won the series in five games.

Short Time with the Vancouver Canucks (2024)

On 31 January 2024, Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He was in the last year of his contract with the Flames. In his very first game with the Canucks, Lindholm scored two goals, becoming only the fifth player in the team's history to do so. He also tied a team record for most game-winning goals in his first six games.

Joining the Boston Bruins (2024–Present)

After his contract with the Canucks ended, Lindholm became a free agent. On 1 July 2024, he signed a seven-year contract with the Boston Bruins.

Lindholm had high hopes for the 2024–25 season with the Bruins. He was expected to be their top center. He started well, scoring two goals and three assists in his first three games. However, he then went through a tough period, not scoring a goal in 18 games. The whole Bruins team struggled with scoring during this time. Lindholm also played for Sweden in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament but did not score any points. After the break, the Bruins continued to struggle, losing many games. Despite the team's difficulties, Lindholm finished the season strong, scoring four goals and five assists in his last eight games.

International Play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Sweden
World Championships
Gold	2017 Germany/France
Bronze	2025 Sweden/Denmark
World Junior Championships
Silver	2013 Russia
Silver	2014 Sweden
IIHF World U18 Championships
Silver	2012 Czech Republic
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Silver	2011 Slovakia/Czech Republic

Elias Lindholm has proudly represented Sweden in many international hockey tournaments. He has had great success playing for his country.

Lindholm played for Sweden's junior teams four times, earning a silver medal each time. These silver medals were won at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, and the World Junior Championships in 2013 and 2014. He was an assistant captain for the team in 2012 and 2014.

At the senior level, Lindholm has played for Sweden in the World Championships in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2025. He won a gold medal with the team in 2017. In 2025, he led the tournament in goals with eight and earned a bronze medal. He was also named to the tournament all-star team for his excellent play in 2025.

Lindholm also played for Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Personal Life

Elias Lindholm was born in Boden, Sweden, but he grew up in Gävle. His father, Mikael Lindholm, was also a professional ice hockey player. Mikael played in 404 games in the Elitserien and 18 NHL games for the Los Angeles Kings. Elias is a cousin of hockey player Calle Järnkrok and the younger brother of Oliver Lindholm, who also plays hockey. Elias is not related to another player named Hampus Lindholm. Elias started playing ice hockey in Hanover, Germany, when he was three years old. This was when his father was playing for the Hannover Scorpions.

Awards and Honours