Aaron Ekblad's Biography

Born on February 7, 1996, in Windsor, Aaron Ekblad is a celebrated Canadian professional ice hockey player. He has made his mark as an accomplished defenceman and alternate captain for the Florida Panthers, an accomplished team in the National Hockey League (NHL). Ekblad began his professional journey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he was chosen first overall in the 2011 draft. His incredible talent continued to be recognized when four years later, Ekblad was chosen first in the 2014 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers and made his extraordinary debut in the same year.

The 2014-2015 season was momentous for Ekblad, culminating in him being selected for the prestigious NHL All-Star Game and earning the Calder Memorial Trophy. This honor signifies him as the standout rookie in the league that year. Most notable, Ekblad’s talents contributed significantly to the Panthers’ historic Stanley Cup victory in 2024.

Before ascending to the heights of the NHL, Ekblad had a remarkable career in major junior ice hockey with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. His performance was so exceptional that Hockey Canada approved him for the ‘exceptional player’ status, enabling him to compete at the major junior level a year earlier than his peers. This achievement made him an elite player, entering the rare group of individuals such as John Tavares, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, Joe Veleno, Shane Wright, Connor Bedard, and Michael Misa who have shared the same honor in the 21st century.

During the 2010-2011 season, Ekblad played for the Sun County Panthers minor midget AAA team in Belle River, Ontario. He recorded 34 points across 30 regular season games and further impressed by scoring 21 points in 18 playoff games. His leadership qualities shone through as he captained the team to an alliance championship.

His performance continued to exceed expectations from there, earning him top honors in four different categories at the 2014 OHL Coaches Poll. There’s no denying Ekblad’s remarkable ability and athleticism, evidenced by his first-place finishes for best shot, hardest shot, best offensive defenceman, and best defensive defenceman.

The Florida Panthers, recognizing Ekblad’s undeniable talent, selected him first overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft and later signed a three-year entry-level deal with him. His first game during the NHL debut with the Panthers against the Tampa Bay Lightning was memorable, scoring his first NHL point in the significant sporting event. Ekblad went on to score his first NHL goal on November 1, contributing to Panther’s victorious match against the Philadelphia Flyers.

During his rookie year, Ekblad broke new ground by becoming the first Panthers rookie to earn a three-point game since the 1998-99 season during a match against the Buffalo Sabres. Acknowledging his performance, Ekblad was named the first star of the game. In January 2015, he was named an injury replacement for Erik Johnson at the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, during which he recorded four assists for Team Toews.

Ekblad’s rookie season stats were impressive, with 12 goals and 27 assists, leading all rookie defencemen in various aspects such as points, power play goals, power play points, shots and fewest shot attempts against. His persistence and talent later earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s stand-out rookie of the year.

However, the road wasn’t always smooth for Ekblad. He missed a few games during the 2016 season due to a concussion from a hit by Matt Hendricks of the Edmonton Oilers. Despite this setback, Ekblad proceeded to sign an eight-year, $60 million extension with the Panthers and was named an alternate captain. He again suffered a concussion during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016–17 season.

While the 2021 season saw Ekblad experience a significant injury that ended his season prematurely, he proved his perseverance and dedication once again, recording three assists in a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in March 2022. Ekblad’s outstanding performance broke records, becoming the most scoring defenceman in Panther’s franchise history with 291 career points.

The following month saw Ekblad’s unfortunate leg fracture, putting a halt on his impressive run, and he had to undergo surgery. Nevertheless, Ekblad’s grit was unmatched, and his commitment to the team was undeterred. His return was marked by another record-breaking event on December 16 when he played his 574th NHL game, a match against the Pittsburgh Penguins, crowning him as the defenceman with the most games in Panthers’ history.

Moreover, Ekblad’s achievements are not limited to NHL; he has also contributed significantly to Canada’s junior and senior teams. Following a concussion at a training camp in August 2014, Ekblad still managed to represent Canada at the 2015 World Championship and brought home the gold medal.

In 2016, Ekblad got the chance to play for the newly-formed Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, an exclusive team made up of the best players aged 23 and below. Despite suffering an upper body injury, Ekblad’s impact on the team was noted as he was an alternate captain along with Sean Couturier.

Off the ice, Ekblad has a close-knit family, including his brother Darien, a goaltender who has also been drafted into the OHL. Ekblad’s roots are in Belle River, Ontario, where he grew up, and his Swedish family history is reflected in his last name. As a rookie, he lived with the veteran Willie Mitchell and his family. Besides his success on ice, Ekblad is an honor roll student, who attended Innisdale Secondary School in the Simcoe County District School Board, proving his excellence in both academics and sports.

Throughout his professional career, Aaron Ekblad has shown his undeniable talent, dedicated work ethic, and exceptional leadership, solidifying his prominent position and making significant strides in the Florida Panther’s and the NHL’s history. His journey, filled with countless awards, record-breaking achievements, and triumphant victories, continues to inspire many budding athletes yet.