Gabriel Landeskog facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabriel Landeskog
Landeskog with the Colorado Avalanche in November 2014
Born	(1992-11-23) 23 November 1992 (age 32) Stockholm, Sweden
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Colorado Avalanche Djurgårdens IF
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	2nd overall, 2011 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	2009–present

Gabriel Landeskog (born 23 November 1992) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger and is the captain for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL).

The Colorado Avalanche picked him second overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft. On 4 September 2012, Landeskog became the fourth captain in Avalanche history. He was the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years and 286 days old. He helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Landeskog played through a serious injury during that championship season. This injury kept him from playing for almost three seasons afterward.

Playing Career: Gabriel Landeskog's Hockey Journey

Early Days in Sweden: Djurgårdens IF

Gabriel Landeskog started playing hockey with a team called Hammarby IF. Later, he joined Djurgårdens IF. On 21 February 2009, he played his first game in Sweden's top league, Elitserien. He was only 16 years and 90 days old. This made him the youngest player ever for Djurgårdens IF. He was also one of the youngest players to ever play in that league.

Moving to Canada: Kitchener Rangers

Landeskog with the Kitchener Rangers in 2010

In 2009, Landeskog was chosen by the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL draft. But he never played for them. His rights were traded to the Kitchener Rangers on 3 August 2009.

During the 2009–10 OHL season, Landeskog was one of the top rookies in the OHL. He scored many points and goals. In the playoffs, his team made it to the conference finals. He was the third-highest scorer on his team.

On 24 October 2010, Landeskog became the captain of the Kitchener Rangers. This was for the 2010–11 OHL season. He was the first European player to be captain for that team. He scored 37 goals that season, even though an ankle injury shortened his playing time.

Joining the NHL: Colorado Avalanche

Rookie Season and Big Award: 2011–2012

Landeskog with the Avalanche in his rookie season.

The Colorado Avalanche picked Landeskog second overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft. This was a very high pick for a Swedish player. After being drafted, he signed a three-year contract with the Avalanche.

He played his first NHL game on 8 October 2011. He wore jersey number 92 to honor his birth year. On 12 October 2011, he scored his first NHL goal. He was 18 years and 324 days old. This made him the youngest Swedish-born player to score an NHL goal.

Landeskog was named to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game as a rookie. He was also named the NHL's Rookie of the Month in February. He finished his first season leading all rookies with 22 goals. He also had 52 points. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year. He was the first Avalanche player since 1999 to win this award.

Becoming Captain and Growing as a Player: 2012–2021

After his amazing rookie season, the Avalanche made Landeskog their team captain. He was 19 years and 286 days old. This made him the youngest captain in NHL history at that time. He was 11 days younger than Sidney Crosby when Crosby became captain.

Because of a lockout in the NHL, he played some games in Sweden. He returned to the Avalanche when the lockout ended. He suffered a head injury in January 2013. He missed 11 games to recover. He later wrote about his experience with concussions. He wanted younger players to understand how serious they can be.

Landeskog in 2013.

On 15 August 2013, Landeskog signed a seven-year contract with the Avalanche. He had a great 2013–14 NHL season. He scored more goals and points than ever before. He helped the Avalanche win their division title. He scored his first NHL playoff goal on 17 April 2014.

Over the next few seasons, Landeskog continued to be a key player. He sometimes faced suspensions for aggressive plays. For example, he was suspended for an illegal check to the head in 2015. He was also suspended for cross-checking in 2016.

In the 2016–17 NHL season, he suffered a lower body injury. He missed 10 games but returned to play. He finished the season with 18 goals and 15 assists.

Landeskog scored his first career hat trick on 17 November 2017. A hat trick means scoring three goals in one game. He scored his second hat trick in December 2017. On 26 March 2018, he played in his 500th NHL game. The Avalanche made it to the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs that year.

He scored his third career hat trick on 18 October 2018. He was named the NHL's First Star of the Week. He was also chosen to play in his first 2019 NHL All-Star Game. He finished the 2018–19 NHL season with a career-high 34 goals and 41 assists.

Landeskog during a game against the Islanders in January 2020.

In March 2020, Landeskog was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week. He scored his 20th goal of the season. This helped him pass other great Avalanche players in team history. In the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, he suffered a knee injury. A skate blade accidentally cut his knee. This caused a cartilage injury.

On 16 January 2021, Landeskog scored his 200th NHL goal. In February, he had to follow NHL's COVID-19 rules. He missed over two weeks of games.

Winning the Stanley Cup and Facing Injuries: 2021–Present

On 27 July 2021, Landeskog signed a big eight-year contract. He chose to stay with the Avalanche. He started the 2021–22 NHL season very well. He scored four goals and six assists in his first seven games. He was suspended for two games in October for a boarding penalty.

On 3 November, he reached 300 assists with the Avalanche. He was the sixth player in team history to do so. On 23 November, he played in his 700th NHL game. On 7 January 2022, Landeskog scored his fourth career hat trick. He was named the NHL's First Star of the Week.

Landeskog had knee surgery in March 2022. He led the team in scoring with 30 goals before his surgery. He missed the last 23 games of the regular season. But he returned for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. He helped the Avalanche sweep the Nashville Predators in the first round. He scored three goals against the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche then swept the Edmonton Oilers.

In the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, the Avalanche played the Tampa Bay Lightning. Landeskog scored the Avalanche's first goal in Game 1. He also had an assist. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in six games. Landeskog became the fourth NHL player born outside North America to captain a team to the Stanley Cup.

After the Stanley Cup win, Landeskog had more knee surgery. He missed the entire 2022–23 NHL season. He also missed the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. In May 2023, the Avalanche announced he needed a cartilage transplant surgery. This meant he would miss the entire 2023–24 NHL season and the 2024–25 NHL season.

On 9 April 2025, Landeskog was loaned to the Colorado Eagles. This is the Avalanche's minor league team. He played his first game in 1,020 days on 11 April. On 23 April 2025, the Avalanche announced Landeskog would play his first NHL game in three years. This was during the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored his first goal in 1,041 days in Game 4. The Avalanche lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games.

Because of his amazing effort to return, Landeskog was named a finalist for the 2024–25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award goes to a player who shows great perseverance and dedication to hockey.

International Play: Representing Sweden

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Silver	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold	2013 Sweden/Finland
Gold	2017 Germany/France

In December 2009, Landeskog was not chosen for Sweden's junior team. But the next season, he was named an alternate captain for the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He only played one game before getting injured.

Landeskog played for Sweden's senior team in the 2012 IIHF World Championship. He was an alternate captain for that tournament. In 2013, he helped Sweden win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Championship. They were the first host team in 27 years to win.

In July 2013, Landeskog was invited to a camp for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He was chosen for the final team. He helped Sweden win a silver medal at the Olympics.

Landeskog won his second gold medal with Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. He scored two goals and had three assists in 10 games.

Personal Life

Gabriel Landeskog's father, Tony, used to be a hockey defenceman. His mother, Cecilia, is a chef. He has an older brother, Adam, and a twin sister, Beatrice. They were born in Stockholm, Sweden. Gabriel moved to Canada by himself when he was 16 years old.

Landeskog is married and has three children.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	Sweden	U18	5th		6	4	0	4	24
2011	Sweden	WJC	4th		1	1	1	2	0
2012	Sweden	WC	6th		8	1	4	5	6
2013	Sweden	WC			10	3	1	4	18
2014	Sweden	OG			6	0	1	1	4
2016	Sweden	WCH			4	1	0	1	2
2017	Sweden	WC			10	2	3	5	2
2019	Sweden	WC	5th		5	2	5	7	0
Junior totals					7	5	1	6	24
Senior totals					43	9	14	23	32

Awards and Honours