Jacob Markström facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacob Markström
Markström with the Calgary Flames in 2021
Born	(1990-01-31) 31 January 1990 (age 35) Gävle, Sweden
Height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	New Jersey Devils Brynäs IF Florida Panthers Vancouver Canucks Calgary Flames
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	31st overall, 2008 Florida Panthers
Playing career	2008–present

Jacob Markström (born January 31, 1990) is a professional ice hockey goaltender from Sweden. He plays for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Jacob was picked by the Florida Panthers in the 2008 NHL draft. Before joining the Devils, he played for the Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

Jacob Markström's Hockey Journey

Starting in Sweden: Brynäs IF

Jacob Markström began his professional hockey journey in Sweden. On May 12, 2008, he signed a two-year contract with the senior team of Brynäs IF. Before this, he played for their junior team.

Just a month later, Jacob was chosen in the 2008 NHL entry draft. The Florida Panthers picked him 31st overall. This was after he showed great skill in the Swedish Hockey League and for Sweden's national team. He played well in the Under 18 and World Junior tournaments. Jacob is known for his "butterfly style" of goaltending. This is a way goalies block shots by dropping to their knees.

In the 2009–10 season, Markström was a top goalie in the Swedish league. He had the best save percentage and goals against average. This means he stopped most shots and let in very few goals. On June 1, 2010, he signed his first contract with the Florida Panthers.

Playing for the Florida Panthers

Jacob Markström made his first NHL appearance on January 23, 2011. He played for the Florida Panthers against the New Jersey Devils. He became the youngest goalie ever to play for the Panthers.

After his NHL debut, Markström was sent to the Rochester Americans. This team is Florida's minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team wanted him to get used to playing hockey in North America. Players here often shoot differently. Jacob had a tough first season in the AHL and hurt his knee. After surgery, he worked hard to get back on the ice. He hoped to get a real chance in the NHL.

In 2011, the Panthers' main goalie left the team. Markström then tried out for a starting spot. He competed with other goalies and became the backup. On October 22, he got his first NHL win. He stopped all 18 shots he faced in the third period against the New York Islanders.

Jacob started the 2012–13 season in the AHL. But the Panthers' main goalie got injured in March 2013. This meant Markström became the team's main goalie for the rest of the season.

Time with the Vancouver Canucks

Markström with the Utica Comets in 2015.

Many thought Markström would be the Panthers' full-time starting goalie in the 2013–14 season. He even signed a new two-year contract. However, the Panthers signed another goalie, Tim Thomas. So, Jacob was sent back to the AHL.

On March 4, 2014, Markström was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He became the backup goalie for the Canucks. He played behind another Swedish goalie, Eddie Läck.

Jacob did not make the Canucks team at the start of the 2014–15 season. He was sent to the Utica Comets, the Canucks' AHL team. When the Canucks' goalie Ryan Miller got injured, Markström was called back up. He played on March 3, 2015, but had a tough game. He got his first and only win of that season on March 22, 2015. He stopped 26 shots as the Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 3–1.

On June 29, 2015, Markström signed a new two-year contract with the Canucks. He signed another three-year contract extension on July 7, 2016.

On December 5, 2017, Jacob got his first NHL shutout. A shutout means he stopped every shot and didn't let the other team score. The Canucks won 3–0 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

On December 12, 2019, Markström had his fourth NHL shutout. He stopped 43 shots in a 1–0 win against the Hurricanes. This was one of the most shots stopped in a regular season game for a Canucks goalie. On January 3, 2020, Jacob was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game. This is a special game where the best players from the league play together.

Becoming a Star with the Calgary Flames

On October 9, 2020, Markström left the Vancouver Canucks. He signed a six-year contract with the Calgary Flames. He had a good first season with the Flames, winning 22 games. The Flames just missed out on the playoffs that year.

The 2021–22 season was Jacob's best so far. He won 37 games and had a great save percentage. He also led the league with nine shutouts. This means he had nine games where he didn't let the other team score at all! He was named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. This award goes to the best goalie in the NHL.

The Flames won their division and made it to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. They played against the Dallas Stars. Markström played very well in this series. He was a big reason the Flames won in seven games. Next, they played the Edmonton Oilers in a big rivalry series. Markström had a tougher time in this series, and the Flames lost in five games.

Joining the New Jersey Devils

On June 19, 2024, Markström was traded to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils gave up a player and a draft pick to get him. On November 21, Jacob played his 500th NHL game. He made 20 saves as the Devils beat the Hurricanes 4–2.

Playing for Sweden

Markström with Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Championships
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2013 Sweden/Finland
Bronze	2010 Germany
World Junior Championships
Silver	2009 Ottawa
Bronze	2010 Saskatoon

Jacob Markström has played for Sweden many times. He played in three junior tournaments. In 2008, he helped the Sweden under-18 team finish fourth.

The next year, he played for the Swedish junior team in the 2009 World Junior Championships. He was the best goalie there, with a very high save percentage. He helped Sweden win a silver medal. He was even named the best goaltender of the tournament. He played again in the 2010 World Junior Championships, where Sweden won a bronze medal.

In his first big tournament for the senior Swedish team, the 2010 World Championship, Markström played three games. He even got a shutout against Switzerland.

Markström then won the 2013 World Championship with Sweden. He was the backup goalie but played two games, winning both. This helped Sweden win the whole tournament!

Jacob was also on Sweden's team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He played in Sweden's first game because the main goalie was sick. Markström helped Sweden beat Russia 2–1. Sweden later lost in the semifinals.

Awards and Achievements

Jacob Markström has won many awards during his career: