History of Joel Eriksson Ek in Timeline

Joel Eriksson Ek is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing centre for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his two-way play, he is a defensively responsible forward with a developing offensive game. Drafted by the Wild in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he quickly established himself as a key part of the team's roster. Eriksson Ek's hard-working style and commitment to both ends of the ice make him a valuable asset to the Wild.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

January 1997: Born in Karlstad, Sweden

Eriksson Ek was born on 29 January 1997, in Karlstad, Sweden, to Clas Eriksson and Anna Ek.

Others born on this day/year

January 1997: Joel Eriksson Ek Born

Joel Eriksson Ek was born in January 1997.

Others born on this day/year

2014: Plays junior hockey for Färjestad BK

In 2014, Eriksson Ek played junior hockey for Färjestad BK in the J18 Elit and J20 Nationell league.

2014: Sweden national under-18 ice hockey team

In 2014, Eriksson Ek represented Sweden at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He scored one goal at the U-17 Hockey Challenge and four points at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. The team didn't achieve a medal in either tournament.

2014: Plays professionally with Farjestad BK

In 2014, Joel Eriksson Ek, as a teenager, made his professional debut with Farjestad BK during the 2014-15 SHL season.

January 2015: Extended contract with Färjestad BK

On 12 January 2015, Eriksson Ek extended his contract with Färjestad BK for a further three years.

2015: 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2015, Eriksson Ek represented Sweden at the IIHF World U18 Championships. Over five games, he scored five goals and six points, earning the title of Player of the Game on April 23 after Sweden's game against Team Canada.

2015: Drafted by Minnesota Wild

In 2015, Joel Eriksson Ek was drafted 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL entry draft.

October 2016: NHL Debut and First NHL Goal

In October 2016, Eriksson Ek made his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils and became the seventh rookie in franchise history to score his first career NHL goal in his debut game.

2016: NHL Debut with the Wild

During the 2016–17 season, Eriksson Ek made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild.

2017: Trained in the Offseason

During the 2017 offseason, Eriksson Ek trained alongside fellow Swedish NHL players Jonas Brodin, Oscar Klefbom, and Marcus Johansson.

2017: Post Season Debut

In 2017, Eriksson Ek made his post season debut in the Stanley Cup playoffs during the first round series against the St. Louis Blues.

2017: Wins gold at IIHF World Championship

In 2017, Eriksson Ek represented Sweden and won gold at the IIHF World Championship.

2017: Named Captain of Team Sweden and IIHF World Championship

In 2017, Eriksson Ek was named captain of Team Sweden at the 2017 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where they finished fourth. He also won gold for the first time at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal and two assists over 10 games.

2017: Brother drafted to Anaheim Ducks

In 2017, Eriksson Ek's brother Olle was taken by the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL Entry Draft.

February 2018: Breaks Scoring Drought

On 19 February 2018, Eriksson Ek broke his 50-game scoring drought in a 5–3 win over the New York Islanders.

2018: Expected to play with Greenway and Coyle

Prior to the start of the 2018–19 season, Eriksson Ek was expected to play on a line with Jordan Greenway and Charlie Coyle.

January 2019: Recalled to the NHL

On 8 January 2019, Eriksson Ek was recalled back to the NHL level after a stint in the AHL.

2019: Career Highs

During the 2019–20 season, Eriksson Ek set new career highs in goals and assists.

2019: Stepping into larger role

Following the 2019–20 season, Eriksson Ek stepped into a larger role as the team's first-line centre after the Wild lost veteran centermen Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal.

2019: Forms the 'GREEF' Line

In 2019, Eriksson Ek began playing on a line with Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno, which was called the GREEF line, they were the Wild's top shutdown line.

2020: Playoff Goal

In 2020, Eriksson Ek recorded his first career postseason goal.

July 2021: Signs contract extension

On 2 July 2021, Eriksson Ek signed an eight-year, $42 million contract extension with the Wild.

October 2021: First career NHL hat-trick

On October 2021, Eriksson Ek recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 6–5 win over the Winnipeg Jets, contributing significantly to the Wild's early season success.

2022: Career-high regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs performance

In 2022, Eriksson Ek concluded the regular season with career highs of 26 goals and 23 assists. He also played an integral role in the Wild's Game 2 win over the Blues in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, contributing two goals and one assist. He ended the series with three goals and two assists over six games, also receiving recognition from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association with a seventh-place finish in Frank J. Selke Trophy voting.

2022: GREEF line split and reunion, point accumulation

In 2022, injuries initially led to the splitting of the GREEF line, but it was later reunited. Eriksson Ek accumulated four goals and seven assists over eight games. By the end of December 2022, he was among the Wild's top four players with over 20 points.

2023: Strong start, 100 goals for the team, hat tricks

In 2023, Eriksson Ek began the season strong, leading the team in scoring with eight goals and 14 points. On November 10, 2023, he became the 11th player in franchise history to score 100 goals for the team. On February 19, 2023, Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek both scored hat tricks, contributing to a 10–7 win over the Vancouver Canucks. This helped set a new team record for most goals in a game and matched the franchise record for points in a game.

2023: Fractured fibula and playoff absence

In 2023, Eriksson Ek suffered a fractured fibula after blocking a shot on April 6. This injury sidelined him for the final four games of the regular season and the initial two games of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. He attempted a return in Game 3 but played only briefly before being removed from the game.