Rasmus Dahlin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rasmus Dahlin
Dahlin with the Buffalo Sabres in 2019
Born	(2000-04-13) 13 April 2000 (age 25) Trollhättan, Sweden
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Buffalo Sabres Frölunda HC
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	1st overall, 2018 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2016–present

Rasmus Erik Dahlin (born 13 April 2000) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is the captain for the Buffalo Sabres team in the National Hockey League (NHL). Many people thought Rasmus was the most talented player available in the 2018 NHL entry draft. The Sabres picked him as the very first player in that draft.

Rasmus Dahlin's Hockey Journey

Starting in Sweden's SHL

Rasmus Dahlin began his professional hockey career in Sweden. During the 2016–17 SHL season, he scored his first goal in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was playing for Frölunda HC when he scored this goal on November 12, 2016.

Dahlin with Frölunda HC in 2018.

Before the 2018 NHL entry draft, many experts believed Dahlin was the best young player. They described him as a very smart defenceman. He had great skills like skating, handling the puck, and seeing the whole ice. He also had a powerful shot. Dan Marr, from the NHL's scouting team, said Rasmus was an amazing talent. He thought Dahlin could change a team's future, just like other famous Swedish players such as Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman.

Joining the NHL and the Buffalo Sabres

On June 22, 2018, the Buffalo Sabres chose Rasmus Dahlin as the first overall pick in the NHL draft. He was the first Swedish player to be drafted first overall since Mats Sundin in 1989. This made him only the second Swede ever to achieve this honor.

On July 9, 2018, Rasmus signed his first contract with the Sabres. He joined their training camp and made the team for the 2018–19 NHL season. He played his very first NHL game on October 4, 2018. A few days later, on October 13, he scored his first NHL goal.

Rasmus achieved a special milestone on February 9, 2019. After a game against the Detroit Red Wings, he became only the fifth defenceman in NHL history to get 30 points before turning 19 years old. After his first season, Dahlin was one of the top three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the best rookie player in the NHL.

Recent Seasons and Achievements

On September 22, 2021, Dahlin signed a new three-year contract with the Sabres. He had a fantastic 2021–22 NHL season, setting new personal bests for goals, assists, and total points. His great play earned him a spot in the 2022 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

Rasmus started the 2022–23 NHL season by setting an NHL record. He scored goals in four straight opening games, which was a record for a defenceman. He was also chosen for his second straight 2023 National Hockey League All-Star Game.

On October 9, 2023, Dahlin signed a big eight-year contract extension with the Sabres. This showed how much the team believed in him.

A big moment in his career happened on September 26, 2024. Rasmus Dahlin was named the captain of the Buffalo Sabres. He took over from Kyle Okposo.

Playing for Sweden

Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze	2024 Czech Republic

Rasmus Dahlin has also played for his home country, Sweden, in many international tournaments.

Junior International Play

At just 16 years old, Rasmus was the youngest player ever to play for Sweden at the IIHF World U20 Championship. He was also the youngest player overall in the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

He played in the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships for Sweden. He had six assists and helped his team win a silver medal. He was named the best defenceman of the tournament. He scored the second-most points among all defencemen there. After the medal ceremony, Rasmus and some teammates took off their silver medals. Because of this, he was suspended for the first two games of the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Senior International Play

Dahlin also represented the Swedish senior team at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He was the youngest player in the men's hockey tournament at those Olympics.

Most recently, he played for Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. His team won a bronze medal at this event.

Awards and Honors