Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Erik Karlsson was born May 31, 1990 in Landsbro, Sweden. He is a defenseman in the National Hockey League. 

Karlsson was drafted 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. On 27 November 2009, exactly one month after being sent down, Karlsson was recalled from Binghamton and would score his first NHL goal for Ottawa on December 19, 2009. Karlsson was selected to participate in the 2011 and 2012 NHL All-Star Games. On 19 June 2012, Karlsson signed a reported seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the Senators and the following day, Karlsson was announced as the winner of the James Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman. On 13 September 2018, Karlsson was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He scored his first goal with the Sharks on November 18 and became the fifth defenceman in league history to have at least one assist in 14 consecutive games. On 17 June 2019, Karlsson signed a new eight-year, $92 million contract to remain with the Sharks. Karlsson joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023.