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Aaron Ekblad

Born:February 7, 1996Draft:2014 Panthers, 1st Overall
Hometown:Windsor, ON, CANPosition:D
Known For:Calder Trophy WinnerShoots:Right
National Team:CanadaCurrent Team:Florida Panthers

Aaron Ekblad (born February 7, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Ekblad was selected first overall in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) entry draft, and he was selected first overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In his first NHL season, Ekblad was selected for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and earned the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best rookie in the 2014–15 season.

Prior to joining the NHL, Ekblad played major junior hockey for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League. He was granted “Exceptional Player” status unanimously by Hockey Canada, thus allowing him to play major junior a year early.

Aaron Ekblad Florida Panthers
Aaron Ekblad with the Florida Panthers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Aaron Ekblad Statistics

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • Alliance Hockey Bantam AAA Champion — 2009-10
  • OHF Bantam AAA Championship Top Defenceman — 2009-10
  • NHLPA AllState All-Canadian Mentorship — 2010-11
  • OHL First All-Rookie Team — 2011-12
  • OHL Rookie of the Year (Emms Family Award) — 2011-12
  • U17 WHC Bronze Medal — 2011-12
  • Hlinka Memorial Gold Medal — 2013-14
  • OHL CHL Subway Series — 2013-14
  • OHL First All-Star Team — 2013-14
  • OHL Most Goals by Defenseman (23) — 2013-14
  • OHL Most Outstanding Defenseman (Max Kaminsky Trophy) — 2013-14
  • NHL All-Rookie Team — 2014-15
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2014-15
  • NHL Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy) — 2014-15
  • World Championship Gold Medal — 2014-15
  • World Championship Most Goals by Defenseman (4) — 2014-15
  • NHL All-Star Game — 2015-16
  • World Championship Top 3 Player on Team — 2017-18
  • Alternate Captain — 2016-

Sources