Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larrson is a professional hockey player and defenseman for the Phoenix Coyotes, a National Hockey League (NHL) team out of Arizona. He was selected in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Coyotes, the sixth overall pick. Ekman-Larsson made his NHL debut on October 9, 2010 against the Boston Bruins.http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8475171&view=notes

Born in Karlskrona, Sweden on July 17, 1991, Oliver Ekman-Larsson grew up surrounded by hockey. His grandfather, Kenneth Ekman, played for Sweden's National team during the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=5257 His father also played hockey in the Swedish leagues. Oliver Ekman Larsson stands 6'2, shoots left, and wears the number 23.http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/index.php/site/comments/nhl_draft_oliver_ekman_larsson_profile/

Since the beginning of the 2010-11 season, Oliver Ekman-Larrson has split time between the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, and the Coyotes' minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. Making his NHL debut for the Coyotes on October 9, Ekman-Larrson has played 15 games, logging four points on four assists, with a +2 plus/minus rating.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?7656 In four games for the Rampage, he has scored two points on two assists.http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=544440

During the 2009-10 season, Oliver Ekman-Larsson played 42 games for Leksand, Sweden's second highest professional league. On the season, he scored a total of 27 points on nine goals and 18 assists. He went on to help Sweden win a bronze medal in the 2010 World Championship in Germany, and also represented the country in the 2010 World Junior Championship where he also won a bronze medal. On May 24, 2010, Ekman-Larsson signed an entry level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530017&navid=DL

During the 2008-09 season, Oliver Ekman-Larsson played hockey in Sweden, where he played for Leksand. On the year, he ranked first in points scored among all players under the age of 18, and had the highest plus/minus rating with a +44. In 39 games, he recorded 14 assists and 3 goals for a total of 17 points. He was also the youngest player on the team.http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=530017&navid=DL