Elias Lindholm was born on December 2, 1994, in Boden, Sweden. His father, Mikael, was a long-time hockey player in Sweden from 1979-2001, and his brother Oliver played in the EJHL for the Rochester Stars in 2012. Elias’ cousin, Calle Jarnkork, is a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs currently.
While playing for Brynas U18 team in Sweden, Lindholm won a Gold Medal during the 2009-10 season and participated on the Swedish U16 National team for 11 games. The young center won a Bronze Medal the following year with Brynas, scoring 17 goals on the season. In the J20 SuperElit league as an 18-year-old, Lindholm scored 14 goals with 35 assists in 39 games with Brynas, earning the right-shot forward sometime in the Elitserien for the 2012-13 season.
The Carolina Hurricanes Draft Elias Lindholm in the First Round in 2013
Elias Lindholm was drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Heading into the draft, the 6-foot, 185-pound center was a top prospect and described by Elite Prospects as “a very all-round player. Lindholm plays a strong two-way game and does most things very well. He has good stickhandling skills, skates very well, and can finish plays and create chances for others. He is also a fierce competitor, works hard, and leads his team with his play”.
Elias Lindholm’s NHL Debut to Today
Lindholm made his NHL debut on October 4, 2013, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings and played 12 shifts for 9:16 of ice time with one blocked shot. Lindholm would score his first goal in the NHL on October 10 at Washington on his only shot on goal. In 58 games that season, Lindholm scored nine goals with 12 assists and a minus-14 rating. In 374 regular season games with Carolina, Lindholm scored 64 goals with 124 assists.
On June 23, 2018, Elias Lindholm was traded to the Calgary Flames with defenseman Noah Hanifin for forward Michael Ferlin and defensemen Adam Fox and Dougie Hamilton. Lindholm had his best season in 2021-22 when he scored a career-high 42 goals with 40 assists in 82 games. As a playoff performer with the Flames, Lindholm scored nine goals and eight assists in 27 postseason games.
The Flames traded Lindholm as part of a four-team trade on January 31, 2024, to the Vancouver Canucks. Lindholm finished the season with Vancouver and six goals with six assists in 26 regular season games then five goals with five assists in 13 postseason games. Overall, Lindholm is a solid two-way center who has finished in the top ten in Selke Award voting for best defensive forward three times in his career.
At the end of the 2023-24 season, Lindholm is an unrestricted free agent.
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