Aaron Ekblad

Aaron Ekblad
Ekblad during the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game on January 15, 2014
Born (1996-02-07) February 7, 1996 (age 30)
Windsor, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
Played for Florida Panthers
National team  Canada
NHL draft 1st overall, 2014
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2014–present

Aaron Ekblad (born February 7, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He has also played for the Team Canada junior team. He won a gold medal with them during the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He suffered a concussion in an exhibition game against the Czech Republic in December 2014.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Ekblad played 3 seasons with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

On September 3, the Panthers signed Ekblad to a three-year, entry-level contract. Ekblad made the Panthers' opening night roster for the 2014–15 season. He made his NHL debut on October 9 in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the game, Ekblad scored his first career NHL point, an assist on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal in a 3–2 overtime loss. On November 1, he scored his first NHL goal against Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers in a 2–1 Panthers win.

On December 6, Ekblad scored a career-high three points in a 3–2 win against the Buffalo Sabres. He was given the first star of the game. On January 23, 2015, he was chosen to play in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game to replace an injured Erik Johnson.

On June 24, 2015, Ekblad was announced as the Calder Memorial Trophy winner.

References

  1. ↑ "Canada back on top, 5-4". IIHF. Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Don Cherry upset with Team Canada after Aaron Ekblad hit". CBC. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Ekblad 'overwhelmed' after going No. 1 in Draft". NHL. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Florida Panthers Sign No. 1 Overall Draft Pick D Aaron Ekblad". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Florida Panthers Announce Opening Night Roster". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Hedman lifts Lightning past Panthers with OT goal". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ekblad's first NHL goal helps Panthers edge Flyers". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Ekblad gets three points in Panthers' win vs. Sabres". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ "D Aaron Ekblad Named to 2015 NHL All-Star Roster". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Panthers rookie Ekblad wins Calder Trophy". NHL. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.

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