Victor Eklund (born 3 October 2006) is a Swedish ice hockey player who is a right winger for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 16th overall by New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Playing career During the 2023–24 season, Eklund split time between Djurgårdens IF and its under-20 team and in the J20 Nationell. He recorded seven goals and 18 assists in 30 games in the junior league, before being promoted. He then recorded one goal and three assists in 15 games in the HockeyAllsvenskan.
On 27 June 2025, Eklund was selected 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on 14 July. After playing the 2025–26 season for Djurgårdens IF of the SHL and then the Islanders' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders, Eklund was called up to the Islanders for their final game of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes on 14 April 2026 and recorded an assist on a goal by Bo Horvat.
On 3 October 2026, his 20th birthday, Eklund registered his first career NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils.
International play
Eklund represented Sweden at the 2024 World U18 Championships where he recorded four goals and two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.
In December 2024, he was selected to represent Sweden at the 2025 World Junior Championships. During the tournament he recorded two goals and four assists in seven games. In December 2025, he was again selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 World Junior Championships. He recorded two goals and six assists in seven games and won a gold medal. This was Sweden's first gold medal at the World Junior Championship since 2012.
Personal life Eklund is the son of former professional ice hockey player Christian Eklund, who played several seasons for Djurgårdens IF. He represents the third member of his immediate family to play professionally for the club, alongside his father and his brother, William Eklund, who also began his senior career with Djurgårdens IF.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2021–22 Djurgårdens IF J18 16 3 6 9 8 5 0 4 4 2 2022–23 Djurgårdens IF J18 14 13 12 25 16 6 3 5 8 6 2022–23 Djurgårdens IF J20 7 0 2 2 2 — — — — — 2023–24 Djurgårdens IF J18 1 2 2 4 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Djurgårdens IF J20 30 7 18 25 26 — — — — — 2023–24 Djurgårdens IF Allsv 15 1 3 4 6 15 2 4 6 6 2024–25 Djurgårdens IF J20 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2024–25 Djurgårdens IF Allsv 42 19 12 31 37 16 2 5 7 8 2025–26 Djurgårdens IF SHL 43 6 18 24 22 3 0 3 3 4 2025–26 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 9 3 7 10 2 2 0 0 0 0 2025–26 New York Islanders NHL 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — —SHL totals 43 6 18 24 22 3 0 3 3 4NHL totals 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 Sweden U18 7 4 2 6 2 2025 Sweden WJC 4th 7 2 4 6 2 2026 Sweden WJC 7 2 6 8 4Junior totals 21 8 12 20 8
References
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