Mattias Ekholm

Lore & Background

When the Seattle Kraken stepped onto the ice for their first NHL season, the organization needed more than just bodies on the rink—it needed a voice. Mattias Ekholm, a veteran of over 800 NHL games and a member of Nashville's 2017 Cup Final squad, became that voice almost immediately. His style—patient, methodical, and quietly aggressive—gave the young Kraken a template for how to play structured, two-way hockey while still generating offense from the defensive zone.

Ekholm's reputation in the league long predates Seattle. In Nashville, he was the go-to offensive defenseman, the player coaches turned to in the third minute of a period with the puck on the blue line. His ability to cycle the puck, find the slot, and deliver precise passes made him a nightmare for opposing forwards. That same calm, cerebral approach translated seamlessly to Seattle, where he mentored younger defenders and set the pace in the defensive zone.

For Kraken supporters, watching Ekholm skate at Climate Pledge Arena became a ritual. His quiet confidence, his willingness to engage in physical battles without losing composure, and his genuine enjoyment of the game made him a symbol of the franchise's identity: a team built to compete, not just to exist.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with a low, electric buzz. Pre-game warmups, and the ice still gleamed under the floodlights. Ekholm laced his skates in the tunnel, the familiar creak of leather against his boots the only sound he needed. He could feel the vibration of the crowd through the concrete wall—thousands of new fans, a new city, a new chapter. He tapped his stick against the boards, a small ritual, and exhaled. Out on the ice, the puck sat still in the center circle, a tiny black disc waiting for the world to spin. He skated forward, left foot pushing, and for a moment the noise faded to a distant roar. Just him, the ice, the stick, and the long road ahead. The Kraken's first season, and he was here to steady the ship.

Reader's Guide

Mattias Ekholm is a Swedish left-handed defenseman who spent the bulk of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators, joining them for the 2012–13 season after being drafted in 2009. Over his Nashville tenure he developed into one of the league's more complete offensive defensemen, earning a reputation for elite puck movement, a dangerous one-timer from the point, and the physical toughness to back up his skill. He was a key contributor on Nashville's 2017 team that reached the Stanley Cup Final.

In the summer of 2023, Ekholm signed with the Seattle Kraken, the NHL's newest expansion franchise, and became a cornerstone of their inaugural 2023–24 season. In Seattle's first-ever NHL campaign, his experience and two-way play provided stability on a young blue line. He served as a locker-room leader, helping younger defenders understand the pace and physicality of NHL hockey while contributing meaningful offensive numbers from the defensive zone.

Ekholm's impact on Kraken culture extended beyond the stat sheet. His calm, process-driven approach to the game—emphasizing structure, patience, and accountability—set a standard for the organization's first generation of players. For fans, he became the face of what the Kraken could be: a serious, competitive NHL team with a clear identity. His Swedish international career, including Olympic appearances, added a layer of global pedigree that resonated with Seattle's diverse fan base.

Did You Know?

• Ekholm was drafted in the third round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Nashville, a pick that became one of the Predators' most valuable long-term investments.
• He was part of the Nashville Predators roster that reached the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, the franchise's deepest playoff run to that point.
• As a Swedish international, Ekholm represented his country at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
• He was one of the more experienced players on the Kraken's inaugural 2023–24 roster, helping to establish the franchise's defensive identity from day one.