Erik Karlsson was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft. He had a productive career with the Senators, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice and making the NHL First All-Star Team four times before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2018. Learn more about the veteran defenceman.
Erik Karlsson’s bio
- Height: 6-foot
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Birthdate: May 31, 1990
- Age: 31
- NHL experience: 13 years
- Jersey number: 65
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Erik Karlsson’s career NHL stats
Here are some of Erik Karlsson’s notable career achievements and statistics:
- NHL First All-Star Team (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- Olympic All-Star Team (2014)
- Best Defenseman -- Olympics (2014)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- NHL's All-Decade Second Team
- Career games played: 788
- Career goals: 143
- Career assists: 482
- Career points: 625
Here are Erik Karlsson’s contract details with the Sharks
San Jose Sharks
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The Sharks first acquired Karlsson in a blockbuster trade with the Senators on the eve of training camp in 2018. Ottawa received a 2021 second-round draft pick as a condition of him re-signing with San Jose. In June of 2019, the Sharks re-signed Karlsson to an eight-year contract reportedly worth $92M. At an $11.5M annual salary, Karlsson is NHL's highest-paid defenseman, and the team’s highest-paid player ever.
Meet Erik Karlsson’s family
On Oct. 3, 2019, Karlsson and his wife, Melinda, welcomed the birth of their daughter Harlow Rain Karlsson. Their daughter's birth occurred just over 18 months after the Karlssons lost a child. While Erik was still a member of the Ottawa Senators, their son was stillborn in March 2018.
Karlsson admitted that fatherhood had changed him. “My patience, especially is a lot better, and the uncertainty of things,” Karlsson shared. “Not being able to plan as much ahead as you could before.”