Mattias Ekholm wife-Swedish ice hockey defenseman, Mattias Hans Ekholm was born on May 24th, 1990 in Bolange in Sweden.

Ekholm plays for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 102nd overall, fourth round, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.

Mattias Ekholm career

While playing for Mora IK in Sweden, Ekholm was picked in the fourth round, 102nd overall, by the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He took part in the Predators 2009 Development Camp after the draft.

Ekholm had a strong start with Brynäs, scoring 7 goals and dishing out 5 assists in his first 14 games. As a result, he was named as the first of four Elitserien Rookie of the Year contenders for the 2010–11 campaign. He eventually took home the honor.

Ekholm committed to playing for the Predators in the 2011–12 season by signing a three-year entry-level deal after the 2010–11 campaign. Ekholm attended the Predators’ training camp and was added to their opening night roster, making his North American debut.

Before making his debut in the team’s home opener against the Phoenix Coyotes, Ekholm missed the first five games of the 2011–12 campaign due to injury.

Before returning to Brynäs for the remainder of the season, he played two games with the Predators. This occurred as a result of an agreed-upon arrangement Ekholm struck with the Predators over the summer.

In his first six matches after returning to Sweden, Ekholm recorded one goal and one assist. After scoring eight goals and 16 points in 40 regular-season games, he kept up his strong play and took home the Borje Salming Trophy as the best defenseman in the Swedish Elite League.

Ekholm rejoined the Predators for the 2012–13 campaign, however on September 12, 2012, he was sent back to the Milwaukee Admirals, the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. By December, Ekholm had four goals and seven assists for 11 points, which put him in first place among all the Milwaukee defenseman in scoring.

On April 15, 2013, Ekholm received a last-minute recall to the NHL due to injury. He has played in 55 games at the time, scoring 27 points total. He played against the Vancouver Canucks for 16:05 minutes on the ice before being transferred to the Admirals the next day.

With 59 games, Ekholm finished the season with 32 points. Ekholm joined the Predators to begin the 2013–14 season, the second full year of his contract. He was a member of the third Predator line, alongside Seth Jones and Shea Weber.

On January 7, 2014, Ekholm scored his first NHL goal in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. One of just six NHL defenseman to play at least 50 games and get 10 or less penalty minutes was him, and he ended the season with nine points in 62 games.

As a result, Ekholm, a restricted free agent, agreed to a two-year, $2.075 million contract with the Predators. Ekholm altered his jersey number to 14 in the first year of his new contract in order to match his World Championship number.

With seven goals and 11 assists for a total of 18 points this season, Ekholm broke new records for goals, assists, and points. On September 19, 2017, Ekholm was chosen the Predators’ third alternate captain, joining Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg.

Ekholm was labeled as week to week with an unexplained ailment on February 11, 2021, during a matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ekholm extended his contract with the Predators for a further four years and $25 million, with an average yearly salary of $6.25 million, on October 13, 2021.

Ekholm was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers on February 28, 2023, along with a 2023 sixth-round selection, for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick, defenseman Tyson Barrie, and forward prospect Reid Schaefer.

Who is Mattias Ekholm’s wife?

Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad. She happens to be a former sports broadcaster.