Erik Karlsson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Erik Karlsson
Karlsson with the Ottawa Senators in May 2017
Born	(1990-05-31) 31 May 1990 (age 35) Landsbro, Sweden
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Pittsburgh Penguins Frölunda HC Ottawa Senators Jokerit San Jose Sharks
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	15th overall, 2008 Ottawa Senators
Playing career	2008–present

Erik Sven Gunnar Karlsson (born 31 May 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Karlsson was chosen by the Ottawa Senators as the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Senators for nine seasons and also for the San Jose Sharks. Erik Karlsson has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times. This award is given to the NHL's best defenceman. He won it in 2012, 2015, and 2023.

Playing Career: Erik Karlsson's Hockey Journey

Starting in Sweden

Karlsson with Frölunda HC in August 2008.

Erik Karlsson first played in Sweden's top league, the Elitserien, for Frölunda HC. This was on 1 March 2008. In that game, he scored the winning goal in overtime. This helped his team secure a spot in the playoffs.

He also played for Frölunda's junior team, the J20 team. They won the Swedish Junior Ice Hockey Championship.

Before the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, experts ranked Karlsson as one of the top European skaters. The Ottawa Senators picked him 15th overall. The Senators' captain, Daniel Alfredsson, who was also from Sweden, announced the pick. The Senators even traded up in the draft to make sure they could get Karlsson.

Ottawa Senators: Becoming a Star (2009–2018)

Karlsson joined the Senators for the 2009–10 NHL season. He made his NHL debut on 3 October 2009. He got his first NHL point, an assist, in that game. After a short time in the minor leagues, he scored his first NHL goal on 19 December 2009. He stayed in the NHL for the rest of the season.

He was chosen to play in the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star Game. By December 2011, he had reached 100 NHL points. He was also the top vote-getter for the 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

Karlsson with the Ottawa Senators in November 2009

The 2011–12 NHL season was a big one for Karlsson. He led all NHL defencemen in points with 78. This set a new record for the Senators for a defenceman. Because of his great play, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman. He was only 22 years old, making him one of the youngest players to win this award.

Karlsson with Jokerit in November 2012 during the 2012–13 NHL lockout

During a break in the NHL season in 2012, Karlsson played for Jokerit in Finland. He scored 34 points in 30 games. When the NHL season started again in January 2013, he quickly got a goal and two assists. However, on 13 February 2013, he had a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. Doctors thought he would be out for a long time, but he returned to play much sooner. He helped the Senators reach the playoffs that year.

In the 2013–14 NHL season, Karlsson played in all 82 games. He scored 20 goals and 54 assists for 74 points. He was the first defenceman in many years to have at least 20 goals and 50 assists in one season.

On 2 October 2014, Karlsson became the captain of the Ottawa Senators. In his first season as captain, he again led all NHL defencemen in points. He played in all 82 games for the second year in a row. He helped the Senators make an unexpected run to the playoffs. In June 2015, he won his second Norris Trophy.

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Karlsson played all 82 games again. He led the league in assists with 66, and had a career-high 82 points. He was the first defenceman since 1986 to finish in the top five in NHL scoring. He was also the first since 1975 to lead the league in assists. He was nominated for the Norris Trophy again, finishing second in voting.

In the 2016–17 NHL season, Karlsson set a Senators record by playing in 312 games in a row. He continued to play well, even with injuries. He helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference finals in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. Even though they lost, Karlsson was praised for his amazing performance while playing with two broken bones in his foot.

The 2017–18 NHL season was tougher for Karlsson. He dealt with injuries and personal challenges. Despite this, he moved into third place on the Senators' all-time points list. The Senators were rebuilding their team. There was talk of trading Karlsson, but he said he wanted to stay in Ottawa.

San Jose Sharks: New Team, More Records (2018–2023)

On 13 September 2018, Karlsson was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal with the Sharks on 18 November. After a slow start, he made history by getting at least one assist in 14 games in a row. This was a record for a defenceman. He missed some games due to a groin injury but returned for the playoffs.

In the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, Karlsson helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference finals. He got another groin injury during the playoffs. On 17 June 2019, Karlsson signed a new eight-year contract with the Sharks. This made him the highest-paid defenceman in NHL history at the time. He broke his thumb in February 2020, ending his season early.

The 2022–23 NHL season was incredible for Karlsson. On 1 November 2022, he scored his first NHL career hat-trick (three goals in one game). By February 2023, he was leading all defencemen in points. On 10 April, Karlsson became the first defenceman since 1992 to score 100 points in a season. Only five other defencemen in league history have done this. He finished the season with 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists), which were career highs. He won his third Norris Trophy and was named to the NHL First All-Star team.

In 2023, he also received the Victoria Award in Sweden.

Pittsburgh Penguins: A New Chapter (2023–present)

On 6 August 2023, Karlsson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was part of a big trade involving three teams. He joined the Penguins for the 2023–24 NHL season.

Style of Play: What Makes Erik Karlsson Great

Karlsson in action during a game in May 2013. Throughout his career, Karlsson has been noted for his speed.

Many hockey experts and players praise Erik Karlsson's style of play. He is known for his incredible speed. He can quickly join the attack and then rush back to defend. He is also very good at making smart plays.

Hockey legends like Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey have praised Karlsson. They compare his fast skating and performance to some of the best defencemen ever. Coaches also admire his skating and how well he understands the game.

Karlsson is known as an "offensive defenceman." This means he focuses more on scoring and setting up goals than on just defending. He has scored more than 70 points in five different seasons. He is also the second defenceman in league history to lead his team in scoring for four years in a row.

He has also shown how tough he is. He has played through many games and playoff series even when he was hurt. For example, in the 2017 playoffs, he played with a broken heel. He also rushed back from a groin injury in the 2019 playoffs to help his team.

International Play: Representing Sweden

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Sweden
Winter Olympics
Silver	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Bronze	2010 Cologne
Bronze	2024 Prague
World Junior Championships
Silver	2009 Ottawa

Karlsson has played for Sweden in many international tournaments. He was named the best defenceman at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships. He also led all defencemen in scoring at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

He played in the 2010 World Championships, where Sweden won a bronze medal. He was the highest-scoring defenceman for Sweden.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Karlsson led all players in points. He helped Sweden reach the gold medal game, where they won a silver medal. He was named the Best Defenceman of the tournament and made the All-Star team.

In 2016, Karlsson was chosen to represent Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He was also named an alternate captain for the team.

Personal Life

Erik Karlsson married Melinda Currey in August 2017. They have a daughter born in 2019 and a son born in 2022.

Karlsson and his wife started a charity called "Can't Dim My Light." This charity helps raise money and awareness about bullying in schools.

When he was a child, Karlsson looked up to famous Swedish hockey players like Nicklas Lidström and Daniel Alfredsson. He is also a fan of the English football club Arsenal.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Sweden	IH18			4	0	1	1	8
2008	Sweden	WJC18	4th		6	0	7	7	4
2009	Sweden	WJC			6	2	7	9	0
2010	Sweden	WC			9	1	3	4	2
2012	Sweden	WC	6th		8	3	4	7	2
2014	Sweden	OG			6	4	4	8	0
2016	Sweden	WCH	SF		4	1	3	4	2
2024	Sweden	WC			10	6	5	11	0
Junior totals					16	2	15	17	12
Senior totals					37	15	19	34	6

Awards and Honours

International Awards

NHL Awards

See also

In Spanish: Erik Karlsson para niños