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 professional ice hockey player from Sweden. He plays as a left winger and is the captain for the Colorado Avalanche team 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 the time, being just 19 years and 286 days old. In 2022, he led his team to win the famous Stanley Cup. He was the fourth European-born captain to achieve this.

Playing Hockey

Early Days in Sweden

Gabriel started playing hockey when he was young for a team called Hammarby IF. Later, he played for Djurgårdens IF. On 21 February 2009, he played his first game in Sweden's top league, the 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.

Junior Hockey in Canada

Landeskog with the Kitchener Rangers in 2010

In 2009, Gabriel was drafted by the Plymouth Whalers in a special draft for junior hockey players. But he never played for them. Instead, his rights were traded to the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

During the 2009–10 season, Gabriel played well. He was one of the top rookie players in the OHL. He helped his team reach the conference finals in the playoffs. On 24 October 2010, he became the captain of the Kitchener Rangers. This was a big deal because he was the first European captain in the team's history. In his last season before being eligible for the NHL draft, he scored 37 goals.

Becoming an Avalanche Star

The Colorado Avalanche picked Gabriel second overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft. He was one of the highest-drafted Swedish players ever. He joined the Avalanche team for the 2011–12 season.

Rookie Season Success

Landeskog with the Avalanche in his rookie season.

Gabriel scored his first NHL goal on 12 October 2011. He was 18 years and 324 days old. This made him the youngest Swedish-born player to score an NHL goal at the time. He had a great first season, scoring 22 goals and getting 30 assists. He played in all 82 games. At the end of the season, Gabriel won the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award is given to the best rookie player in the NHL.

Youngest Captain Ever

On 4 September 2012, the Avalanche made Gabriel 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 even younger than when Sidney Crosby became captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Later, in 2016, Connor McDavid became captain at an even younger age.

Because of a lockout in the NHL, Gabriel went back to Sweden to play for Djurgårdens IF for a short time. He returned to North America when the lockout ended.

Winning the Stanley Cup

Landeskog during a game against the Islanders in January 2020.

The 2012–13 season was tough for Gabriel and the Avalanche. He played in fewer games because of injuries. But the team believed in him. They signed him to a seven-year contract.

In the 2013–14 season, Gabriel played a big part in the Avalanche's success. He scored more goals and assists than ever before. He helped the team win their division title. He scored his first playoff goal in 2014.

Gabriel scored his first "hat trick" (three goals in one game) on 17 November 2017. He scored another hat trick the next month. In the 2018–19 NHL season, he had his best scoring year with 34 goals and 41 assists. He was also chosen to play in his first NHL All-Star Game.

On 27 July 2021, Gabriel signed a big eight-year contract to stay with the Avalanche. In the 2021–22 season, he was the team's top goal-scorer. He had knee surgery in March 2022 but returned for the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. He played very well, helping the Avalanche reach the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals. They won the Stanley Cup on 26 June 2022, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Facing Injuries

After winning the Stanley Cup, Gabriel had more knee surgery. He missed the entire 2022–23 season. In 2023, he needed another surgery on his right knee. This means he is expected to miss the entire 2023–24 season as well.

Playing for Sweden

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

Gabriel has also played for Sweden's national team. He was an alternate captain for the 2011 World Junior Championships. He also played in the 2012 World Championships.

In 2013, he helped Sweden win a gold medal at the World Championships. They were the first host team to win in 27 years. Gabriel also played for Sweden in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. His team won a silver medal there.

About Gabriel

Gabriel's father, Tony, used to be a hockey player in Sweden's top league. His mother, Cecelia, is a chef. He has an older brother named Adam and a twin sister named Beatrice. When he was 16, Gabriel moved to Canada by himself to play junior hockey. Gabriel and his wife have two children.

Awards and Trophies