William Karlsson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William Karlsson |
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Karlsson with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018
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| Born | 8 January 1993 Märsta, Sweden |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Vegas Golden Knights HV71 Anaheim Ducks Columbus Blue Jackets |
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| National team |  Sweden |
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| NHL Draft | 53rd overall, 2011 Anaheim Ducks |
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| Playing career | 2011–present | ||
Lars William Karlsson (born January 8, 1993) is a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. People often call him "Wild Bill." He plays as a forward and is an alternate captain for the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League (NHL).
William was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. This was the 53rd pick overall. Before joining the Golden Knights, he also played for the Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
After being picked by the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Karlsson became a very important player for their offense. He helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in their very first season. In that first season with Vegas, Karlsson scored 43 goals, which was his highest ever. He also became the team's all-time leader in goals.
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William's Hockey Journey
Starting in Sweden
William Karlsson began his professional hockey career in Sweden. During the 2011–12 season, he played for VIK Västerås HK in a league called Allsvenskan. He scored 45 points in 46 games, which was the second-highest on his team. Later, he made his top-league debut in Sweden with HV71.
Playing for Anaheim and Columbus
On May 20, 2013, William signed his first NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks. They were the team that drafted him. For the 2013–14 season, he was loaned back to HV71 in Sweden.
Karlsson played his first NHL game on October 11, 2014. Just two days later, he scored his first two NHL goals against the Buffalo Sabres. He spent some time moving between the Ducks and their minor league team, the Norfolk Admirals.
On March 2, 2015, Karlsson was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This trade also involved other players and draft picks.
Becoming a Vegas Golden Knight
On June 21, 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights picked William Karlsson in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. The Blue Jackets made a deal with Vegas. They traded some draft picks and an injured player, David Clarkson, so that Vegas would choose Karlsson.
First Season Success (2017–18)
In the 2017–18 NHL season, which was Vegas's first season, Karlsson played on a successful line with Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault. All three players had their best offensive seasons. Karlsson scored his first NHL hat-trick (three goals in one game) on December 31, 2017. This was also the first hat-trick in Golden Knights history!
He scored another hat-trick on March 18, 2018. William finished that season with 43 goals and 35 assists. His 43 goals set a new NHL record for a player on a new expansion team. He was third in NHL scoring that year. Karlsson also won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for being a skilled player with great sportsmanship. He also received the Guldpucken award as the top Swedish hockey player.
New Contracts and Stanley Cup Win
After his amazing season, Karlsson signed a new one-year contract with Vegas on August 4, 2018. He said he was "betting on himself" to prove his great season was not a one-time event.
On June 24, 2019, after another good season with 24 goals and 32 assists, Karlsson signed a big eight-year contract. This contract keeps him with the Golden Knights until the end of the 2026–27 season.
By the 2022–23 NHL season, William Karlsson was one of only six original Golden Knights players still on the team. The team reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time. They won the Stanley Cup by beating the Florida Panthers in five games! Karlsson and four other original Golden Knights players started the final game.
Life Outside Hockey
William Karlsson supports the AIK sports club in Sweden. When he was a child, his biggest dream was to play for their soccer team. William and his wife have a son.
Awards and Achievements
William Karlsson has won many awards during his career:
- SHL Rookie of the Year (2013)
- Guldpucken (2018)
- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2018)
- Viking Award (2018)
- Stanley Cup champion (2023)
International Medals
William has also won medals playing for Sweden in international tournaments:
- Silver medal at the U18 World Junior Championship (2011)
- Gold medal at the World Junior Championship (2012)
- Silver medal at the World Junior Championship (2013)
- Gold medal at the World Championship (2017)
NHL Records
William Karlsson holds an NHL record! He scored the most goals (43) by a player on a brand new expansion team in its first season. The previous record was 42 goals, set by Brian Bradley with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1993.
Images for kids
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William Karlsson playing in 2014.
