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 May 31, 1990) is a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. 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 his first nine NHL seasons with the Senators and also played for the San Jose Sharks. Erik Karlsson is known as one of the best defencemen in the NHL, having won the James Norris Memorial Trophy three times (in 2012, 2015, and 2023).

Erik Karlsson's Hockey Journey

Starting in Sweden

Karlsson with Frölunda HC in August 2008.

Erik Karlsson began his professional hockey career in Sweden. He made his debut in the top Swedish league, called Elitserien, for Frölunda HC on March 1, 2008. In that game, he scored the winning goal in overtime, which helped his team secure a spot in the playoffs.

He also played for Frölunda's junior team, the J20 team, and helped them win the Anton Cup. This was the Swedish Junior Ice Hockey Championship in 2008.

Before the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Karlsson was considered one of the top young players from Europe. 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.

Time with the Ottawa Senators (2009–2018)

Karlsson with the Ottawa Senators in November 2009

In September 2009, Karlsson joined the Ottawa Senators for their training camp. He made his NHL debut on October 3, 2009, getting his first NHL point (an assist). After playing a few games, he was sent to the team's minor league affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

He was called back up to the NHL team in November 2009. On December 19, 2009, he scored his first NHL goal against the Minnesota Wild. He stayed with the Senators for the rest of that season and played in their playoff games.

Karlsson was chosen to play in the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star Game in 2011. He continued to improve a lot during the 2011–12 NHL season. On December 16, 2011, he reached 100 NHL points in his career. Fans voted him as the top player for the 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

He finished the 2011–12 season as the highest-scoring defenceman in the NHL. He set a new record for points by a defenceman for the Senators with 78 points. Because of his amazing performance, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2012. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. He was only 22 years old, making him one of the youngest players ever to win it.

In June 2012, Karlsson signed a big seven-year contract with the Senators. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he played for Jokerit in Finland. He scored 34 points in 30 games there.

When the NHL season started in January 2013, Karlsson quickly showed his skill. However, on February 13, 2013, he suffered a serious injury to his Achilles tendon during a game. This injury required surgery and kept him out of play for a while. Even though doctors thought he would be out for a long time, Karlsson returned to play just ten weeks later. 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 had 54 assists, totaling 74 points. He was the first defenceman in many years to have at least 20 goals and 50 assists in one season.

On October 2, 2014, Erik Karlsson was named 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 James Norris Memorial Trophy.

During the 2015–16 NHL season, Karlsson played all 82 games for the third straight season. He led the entire league in assists with 66 and set a career high with 82 points. He broke the record for most points in a season by a Swedish defenceman. He was also the first defenceman since 1986 to finish in the top five in NHL scoring. He was nominated for the Norris Trophy again but finished second in voting.

In the 2016–17 NHL season, Karlsson set a Senators record by playing in his 312th consecutive game. He later missed a game due to an injury, ending his streak at 324 games. He still finished as one of the top defencemen in points and assists. He was nominated for his fourth Norris Trophy. Karlsson played incredibly well in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, even though he had two small fractures in his left heel. He helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference finals.

After the playoffs, Karlsson had surgery on his foot. This caused him to miss the start of the 2017–18 NHL season. He still moved into third place on the Senators' all-time points list.

Playing for the San Jose Sharks (2018–2023)

On September 13, 2018, Erik Karlsson was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal with the Sharks on November 18. After a slow start, Karlsson began to play very well. He became one of only five defencemen in league history to have an assist in 14 games in a row.

He faced some injuries during his time with the Sharks. A groin injury caused him to miss many games near the end of the 2018–19 NHL season. He returned for the playoffs and helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference finals. He had 16 points in 19 playoff games.

In June 2019, Karlsson signed a new eight-year contract to stay with the Sharks. This contract made him one of the highest-paid defencemen in NHL history. He broke his thumb in February 2020 and missed the rest of the 2019–20 NHL season.

During the 2022–23 NHL season, Karlsson had an incredible year. On November 1, 2022, he scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game). By February 2023, he was leading all defencemen in points. On April 10, Karlsson became the first defenceman since 1992 to score 100 points in a single season. Only five other defencemen in NHL history had ever done this. He finished the season with 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists), which was a career high for him.

His amazing season earned him a nomination for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is voted on by the players for the league's most outstanding player. He also won his third James Norris Memorial Trophy in June 2023. He was named to the NHL First All-Star team. He also set a new Sharks team record for points by a defenceman. In 2023, he also received the Victoria Award in Sweden.

Joining the Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–present)

On August 6, 2023, Erik Karlsson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was a big trade involving three teams: the Penguins, the Montreal Canadiens, and the San Jose Sharks. He joined the Penguins for the 2023–24 NHL season.

How Erik Karlsson Plays

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

Many hockey players, coaches, and experts have praised Erik Karlsson's playing style. He is known for his incredible speed. He can quickly join the attack and then skate back to defend his own net. He is also very good at making smart plays with the puck.

Famous hockey players like Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey have compared Karlsson to some of the best defencemen ever. They admire his fast skating and how well he understands the game. Henrik Lundqvist called Karlsson "one of the best players in the game."

Karlsson is known as an "offensive defenceman." This means he focuses a lot on scoring goals and setting up plays. 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 by playing through injuries. In the 2017 playoffs, he played with a broken heel, which needed surgery later. He also rushed back from a groin injury in the 2019 playoffs to help his team.

International Hockey Achievements

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

Erik Karlsson has represented Sweden in many international hockey 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, where Sweden won a silver medal.

He played for the Swedish senior team at the 2010 IIHF World Championship, helping them win a bronze medal. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Karlsson led all players in points with eight. He scored a key goal in the semifinal to help Sweden reach the gold medal game. Sweden won a silver medal, and Karlsson was named the Best Defenceman of the tournament.

He also played for Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where Sweden won another bronze medal.

Personal Life

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

In 2018, 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, Daniel Alfredsson, Mats Sundin, and Peter Forsberg. He is also a fan of the English Premier League 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