Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 12 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Him

Oliver Ekman-Larsson mostly identified by his initials OEL is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Vancouver Canucks. At first, he was picked 6th overall during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Prior to the draft, he began plying his trade in hockey as far back as 2008 at Tingsryds AIF.  And with the Coyotes, he gained recognition as one of the NHL’s top offensive defenceman after leading the club in scoring for two straight seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16).

He is part of the Swedish hockey team that won a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2011 IIHF World Championship. And bronze medal at the 2010 World junior and World Championship.

Here are more fascinating facts about him.

Biography of Oliver Ekman-Larsson

He was born Oliver oscar Emmanuel Ekman-Larsson on 17th July 1991 as one of the two sons of his parents; Annika Ekman and Patrik Larsson in Karlskrona, Sweden. The 33 years old was raised alongside his younger brother Kevin Ekman Larsson.

Very little information is known about his family’s background. However, available shows that his family especially his mother’s side have been involved in the game of hockey. This may have influenced his decision to pursue a career in the sport.

10 Interesting Things You Didn’t Know About Oliver Ekman-Larsson 

1. He Began His NHL Career At Home

The majority of sportsmen and sportswomen start their careers at home. Once a solid foundation is built at home, outsiders may pick an interest. OEL just like others began at home with Tingsryds AIF hockey club in Sweden, where he scored a total of 8 points in 27 games in the 2007.08 season.

He later moved to Leksands IF where he recorded 44 points in 81 games in two seasons (2008/09 and 2009/10). This became the last season his last season at home.

In 2009, he was drafted by Phoenix Coyotes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as the 6th overall. A year later, the defenceman signed an entry-level deal with the club on 24th May 2010.

2. OEL Registered His First NHL Career Point In October 2010

On the 23rd day of October 2010, the NHL defenceman registered his first NHL career point via an assist on a Kyle Turris goal. A few months later he got his first NHL goal on 17th January 2011, against San Jose Sharks goaltender, Antti Niemi.

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3. He Contributed To Coyotes’ First Victory Over Montreal Canadiens After 16 Years

His 100th NHL career point scored in a 5-2 win over Montreal Canadiens in March 2014 made history. This is because the last time the Coyotes defeated Montreal was in December 1998.

4. He Broke Nicklas Lidstrom’s NHL Record

The Swedish hockey player achieved a career milestone record during the 2014/15 season, scoring 23 goals and registering 20 assists. And with that, he became the first Swedish-born defenceman in the entire history of the NHL to score 20 in a single season. Thus, breaking the record previously held by Nicklas Lidstrom. And in addition, matching Phil Housley’s franchise record for most goals scored by a defenceman in a single season.

5. Scored The Fastest Shorthanded Goal In NHL History In 2015

It seems the Swedish man is about breaking old records or setting new ones. This time around he sets a new record for the fastest shorthanded goal to start a period in NHL history. He scored against Jonathan Bernier 5 seconds into the 3rd period in a match against Toronto Maple Leafs on January 29, 2015.

6. His Goal Against The New York Islanders Broke Teppo Numminen’s Record

11 months after setting the fastest-shorthanded goal record, the defenceman broke Teppo Numminen’s record for the most game-winning goals by a defenceman. It was his 20th career goal.

7. His Mother Died After A Long Battle With Cancer

OEL lost his mother to cancer in 2017. As a result, he was granted a leave of absence to return to Sweden since the Coyotes were out of playoff contention.

8. He Was Fined $5,000 For Slashing Sven Andrighetto

The Swedish defenceman was fined $5, 000 for slashing the then Colorado Avalanche forward Sven Andrighetto. It is the highest fine permissible under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for slashing.

The incident took place in the 3rd period.

9. He Was Traded To The Vancouver Conucks In A Trade Exchange

The Coyotes traded the defenceman together with Conor Garland to the Canucks, in an exchange for Jay Beagle, Loui Erikson, Antoine Roussel, and Dylan Guenther.

10. His Maternal Grandfather Represented Sweden At the 1972 Winter Olympics

His mother’s father Kenneth Ekman was also a defenceman. He was chosen as part of the Swedish hockey team that represented Sweden at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics in Japan.

11. He Owns A Clothing Line In Sweden 

Asides from playing hockey, the defenceman has eyes on other areas. First, in 2013, he founded a clothing line in Sweden using his initials OEL as the company’s name. And secondly, he is involved in philanthropy.

Whenever he is free, the hockey player donates free tickets to Arizona Coyote games to many charities. They include the Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Arizona Burn Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project, and Best Buddies.

12. How Rich Is He?

OEL has been earning a good amount of money from his flourishing NHL career. His 6-year $33 million contract with the Phoenix Coyotes saw him earning an average salary of $5.5 million yearly since 2013.

In June 2018, he signed an 8-year contract extension with Arizona for $66 million.

Complete profile of Oliver Ekman-Larsson