Mattias Ekholm Embraces New Home with Edmonton Oilers On and Off the Ice

Mattias Ekholm didn't just buy into the Edmonton Oilers as he hungers for a Stanley Cup, but his family's been committed to the city of Edmonton ever since joining the club.

Edmonton Oilers fans have watched a lot of Mattias Ekholm's plays these past few months. But this summer, there was a chance they saw him in Edmonton, away from Rogers Place.

One of the most significant moves of last season's NHL trade deadline saw the defensive stalwart of the Nashville Predators come north to the Oilers. Ekholm's on-ice impact was felt immediately as he was one of Edmonton's best defenders in the second half of the season and into the playoffs. 

While he brings a valuable skill set and experience to boost the Oilers' defense core, Ekholm's play on the ice wasn't the only thing that endeared him to the locals. He and his family are committed to the city as they grow their family and look for success with his latest team, who appear on the rebound from a rough start to the season.

"We just bought a new house – we just moved into a new neighborhood a few months earlier," Ekholm told The Hockey News in late October. "For us to get into schools, get some time to settle down and meet neighbors, and just kinda set our lives up here, we'd never been here more than just as the visiting team. In that regard, it was really good, and we really enjoyed it." 

The Ekholms stayed in the city for the entire off-season, taking in summer events and sports. They also expanded their family when Ekholm's wife, Swedish media personality Ida Bjornstad, gave birth to their third child, Leo.

"It was perfect timing for us, obviously," he said.

"Honestly, at this point in my career, all I want to do is win, and anyway, I can help, I'm happy to do so." - Mattias Ekholm

While the Northern Alberta winter reminded Ekholm of Sweden – which he said he likes about the city – he was able to experience for the first time how lively the city can be during the summer months.

"It's a lot of things going on in the summer," said the Borlange, Sweden, native. "What's cool about the city is they have some long winters and whatnot, but in the summer, they really live up. There's all these festivals going on, there's K-Days and all the festivals that are around, there's something going on every weekend, so in that regard, I thought it was a really good summer for us."

While the market has faced challenges before regarding landing certain players and keeping those not from the area to Ekholm, seeing Canadian cities like Edmonton outside the coldest periods has allowed him to understand Edmonton better.

"I feel like any city has its charm, and it's just hard when you're never here in the summer – it's hard to really experience it," said Ekholm.

It was also hard for Edmonton residents to miss seeing Ekholm during the summer, including when he checked out the CFL and the Edmonton Elks for the first time. 

"I'm used to the NFL with the Titans being Nashville's team, a little bit different, but I feel it has a charm, and it was fun to go to a game," Ekholm said. "I love sports, so it was a good event."

While Ekholm's first experience with the Elks came in a 27-0 loss to the BC Lions on July 29, when the team was mired in a now-record 22-game home losing streak, he was happy to see the team start to turn their fortunes around before the end of 2023. 

"Tough they didn't score any points, that's kinda what it was, but they kind of figured it out later in the season here, so that was fun to watch at least," Ekholm said. 

While the Oilers began to figure out how to win games again after a nightmarish 5-12-1 start, Ekholm continued to be a valued voice to the team. Coming to from the Predators, Ekholm's play was long respected by those already in the Oilers' room.

"I'm just coming in first and foremost to contribute with my game on the ice, and I feel like I have some experience from playing in this league now that I can see stuff and what needs to be corrected or not," he said. "I'm not afraid to speak up, and I feel like this room really allows that, which has been awesome, and there's so many good leaders in here already, but to just come in and join that group and just try to make the most of my time here."

This season, while battling a hip flexor that forced him to miss the pre-season, Ekholm has remained a steady presence in Edmonton's top two defensive pairings and has the second-most points among defensemen on the team, with 10. 

Ekholm's also been able to share his knowledge from 762 career games among younger blueliners Evan Bouchard and Phillip Broberg. He's not only been paired with those two, but they've also come to Ekholm to see how they can get better and how he sees their games, something the veteran's appreciated while admiring their skill sets.

"They're tremendous players, both of them," Ekholm said on 24-year-old Bouchard and 22-year-old Broberg. "There's a lot of upside; they want to listen, they want to learn, and they're like sponges, almost. Anytime you say something, they're always trying to ask more questions about what do you think, what do you see, what is this, what is that. Not that I have every answer because I've never been that kind of offensive defenseman or have the skating that 'Broby' has."

No matter the role, be it helping the younger blueliners or stepping up with his play as he returns to last season's form, his focus is on helping Edmonton succeed however he can in the West as a team with big expectations. 

"They (Bouchard and Broberg) have some elements in their game that I wish I had, but I do think I've seen some stuff in this league, and I've been a D-man in this league and how it is to come up as a young guy and how to go about it. Honestly, at this point in my career, all I want to do is win, and anyway, I can help, I'm happy to do so."