William Eklund

William Eklund (born 12 October 2002) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

William Eklund
William Eklund and Mika Zibanejad in January 2024
Born	(2002-10-12) 12 October 2002 (age 22) Haninge, Sweden
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position	Forward
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	San Jose Sharks Djurgårdens IF
NHL draft	7th overall, 2021 San Jose Sharks
Playing career	2020–present

Playing career

Eklund made his debut in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) on 4 January 2020, playing for Djurgårdens IF in a 4–2 win away against IK Oskarshamn.^[1] He played a total of 20 regular season games and scoring two points during the rest of the 2019–20 SHL season. He collected five points in his first eight games in the 2020–21 SHL season. Considered the top international prospect for the 2021 NHL entry draft by NHL Central Scouting,^[2] he was selected seventh overall by the San Jose Sharks.^[3]

Eklund was signed by the Sharks to a three-year, entry-level contract on 16 August 2021.^[4] He made his NHL debut on 16 October, in a 4–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, where he also registered his first point, an assist.^[5] After playing nine games with the Sharks, he was reassigned back to Sweden on 5 November.^[6] Eklund dressed for both the Sharks and their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, in 2022-23, before playing full-time for the Sharks in the 2023-24 season. He scored his first NHL goal on 14 March 2023, in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.^[7]

In July 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Sharks.^[8]

International play

Eklund was named for the preliminary Swedish junior team roster for the 2021 World Junior Championships, but tested positive for COVID-19, preventing him from joining the final roster for the tournament.^[9]

Eklund made his debut with the Sweden senior team on 28 April 2021, in a friendly game against Denmark where he scored one goal and made one assist.^[10]

Personal life

Eklund is the son of former hockey player Christian Eklund, who also played for Eklund's former team Djurgårdens IF.^[11] William's brother, Victor, is also a hockey player,^[12] who was drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft. Along with Victor, William has four younger step-siblings.^[13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018–19	Djurgårdens IF	J20		13	1	2	3	6		8	2	6	0
2019–20	Djurgårdens IF	J20		31	12	24	36	22		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Djurgårdens IF	SHL		20	0	2	2	4		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Djurgårdens IF	SHL		40	11	12	23	2		3	1	1	2	2
2021–22	San Jose Sharks	NHL		9	0	4	4	2		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Djurgårdens IF	SHL		29	1	13	14	4		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		54	17	24	41	43		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	San Jose Sharks	NHL		8	2	1	3	6		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	San Jose Sharks	NHL		80	16	29	45	30		—	—	—	—	—
2024–25	San Jose Sharks	NHL		77	17	41	58	29		—	—	—	—	—
SHL totals				89	12	27	39	10		3	1	1	2	2
NHL totals				174	35	75	110	67		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019	Sweden	HG18			5	1	2	3	2
Junior totals					5	1	2	3	2

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
SHL
Rookie of the Year	2021	[14]
Swedish junior player of the year	2021	[15]
NHL
E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence	2021	[16]