1
He has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman three times.
15 Interesting Facts About Erik Karlsson
A three-time Norris Trophy winner, he is an elite offensive defenceman who famously achieved a 100-point season in the NHL.
Position
Defence
Jersey
#65
Status
Active
Teams
7
Facts
15
2
He became the first defenceman to score 100 points in a season since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.
3
He was drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
4
He served as the ninth captain in the modern history of the Ottawa Senators.
5
He was named the Best Defenceman of the 2014 Olympic Tournament, leading all players with eight points.
6
He signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with the San Jose Sharks, making him the highest-paid defenceman in league history at the time.
7
He set a Senators franchise record for points in a season by a defenceman with 78.
8
He led the league in assists with 66 during the 2015-16 season.
9
He scored his first NHL career hat-trick in a game against the Anaheim Ducks in November 2022.
10
His Achilles tendon was lacerated by an opponent's skate during the 2012-13 season, requiring surgery.
11
He broke the record for most points in a single season by a Swedish defenceman, previously held by Nicklas Lidström.
12
He played through the 2017 playoffs with two hairline fractures in his left heel.
13
He holds the Sharks franchise record for most consecutive games with a point, achieving 14.
14
He received a Conn Smythe Trophy vote in 2017 despite his team being eliminated in the conference finals and not playing in the Stanley Cup Final.
15
He set an NHL record for defencemen by scoring or assisting on 43.35 percent of his team's total goals in the 2022-23 season, excluding shootout-deciding goals.
About Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson is a highly acclaimed Swedish defenceman known for his offensive prowess and exceptional skating. A three-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, he famously became the first defenceman since 1992 to record a 100-point NHL season. He has played for the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Career Achievements & Milestones
✓
James Norris Memorial Trophy
2012
✓
James Norris Memorial Trophy
2015
✓
James Norris Memorial Trophy
2023
✓
100-Point Season by Defenceman
2022-23
✓
Olympic Best Defenceman
2014
Player Information & Stats
Detailed career statistics and background information about Erik Karlsson.
Player Info
Country: Sweden
Position: Defence
Jersey #: 65
Status: Active
Age: 35 years old
Physical Stats
Height: 6' 0" (183 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Born: Landsbro, Sweden
Career Stats
Seasons: 16
Goals: 200
Assists: 670
Points: 870
Teams: 7
Drafted: 2008
Round: 1st
Teams & Career
Frölunda HC Borås HC Binghamton Senators Ottawa Senators Jokerit San Jose Sharks Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson plays for 7 different teams during his 16 seasons career. He was originally drafted 1st overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2008.