Aaron Ekblad
Aaron Ekblad was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on February 7th, 1996 and is the Hockey Player. At the age of 28, Aaron Ekblad biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 28 years old, Aaron Ekblad has this physical status:
Aaron Ekblad (born February 7, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman 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.
Personal life
Ekblad's brother Darien, a goaltender, was drafted into the OHL by the London Knights. Aaron Ekblad attended Innisdale Secondary School and was an honour roll student in the Simcoe County District School Board. Ekblad was born in Windsor, but grew up in Belle River, Ontario. His great-grandfather was Swedish, hence the last name "Ekblad".
During his rookie year Ekblad lived with veteran Willie Mitchell and his wife Megan.
Playing career
In 2010, 2011–11, Ekblad competed for the Sun County Panthers minor Midget AAA team in Belle River, Ontario. He had 34 points in 30 regular season games and added 21 points in 18 playoff games. He captained the squad and led them to an alliance championship.
After a six-week examination by Hockey Canada, Ekblad's bid to be the only player born in 1996 in the CHL draft was accepted unanimously. Ekblad became the first defenseman to be given "exceptional player" status after being granted the green light. The status enabled him to play in the Canadian Hockey League a year before he was eligible. The only other people to have been granted such privilege are centre John Tavares in 2005, Connor McDavid in 2012, Sean Day in 2013, Joe Veleno in 2013, Shane Wright in 2019, and Connor Bedard in 2020.
He received top honours in four categories in the Ontario Hockey League, including best shot, best offensive defenseman, and best defensive defenceman, according to the 2014 OHL Coaches Poll, the results of which were announced in Toronto. He was also voted second in the category of best penalty killers, behind Oshawa Generals' Scott Laughton.
The Florida Panthers selected Ekblad first overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, which was released on June 27, 2014. He then signed his first NHL deal with the Panthers on September 3, a three-year, entry-level contract. Ekblad made his NHL debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 9, when making the Panthers' opening night roster out of training camp for the 2014–15 season. In Florida's eventual 3–2 loss in overtime, he scored his first NHL point, an assist on a Jonathan Huberdeau goal. In a 2–1 Panthers victory over Steve Mason of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ekblad scored his first NHL goal against him in his career on November 1st.
In a 3–2 Panthers win over Dan Boyle on December 6, Ekblad scored a career-high three points in his first Panthers rookie game since Dan Boyle in 1998–99. Ekblad was also named as the game's first star for his role. Ekblad was named as an injury substitute for Colorado Avalanche defenceman Erik Johnson at the 2015 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, on January 23, 2015. In Team Toews' 17-12 victory over Team Foligno, Ekblad had four assists.
In 81 games played for Florida, Ekblad's rookie season saw 12 goals and 27 assists (39 points). Following the completion of his rookie season, Ekblad led all rookie defensemen in goals, power play points (13), shots (170), and the fewest shot attempts against per 60 minutes (38.04). He also placed second in assists, plus-minus (+12), hits (109) and blocked shots (80), and averaging 21:48 minutes per game. In addition, Ekblad set a new franchise record for rookie defensemen in terms of goals, assists, and points, beating Ed Jovanovski. On April 23, Ekblad was named one of three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given annually to the NHL's rookie of the year — along with Ottawa Senator Mark Stone and Calgary Flames' Johnny Gaudreau. Ekblad was announced Calder champion on June 24, 2015.
Ekblad played in four games in January to recover from a concussion that he suffered from after being hit by Edmonton Oilers Matt Hendricks. Hendricks was banned from three games due to the hit.
On July 2, 2016, Ekblad and the Panthers decided to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension. He was also designated as an alternate captain. Ekblad sustained another concussion during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and missed four games.
In each of their first four seasons, Ekblad became the 15th defenseman in NHL history to reach double-digits in goals.
Following a collision with Dallas Stars' defenseman Esa Lindell, Ekblad was stretched off the ice on March 28, 2021. The following day, he underwent surgery to fix a left leg fracture and was banned from attending for a year, effectively ending his season.
In a 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 18, 2022, Ekblad recorded three assists. His three points and 291 points later surpassed Robert Svehla as the Panthers' all-time points leader by a defenseman.