WJHC 2009-10 Preview - Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a special player and projects as a No. 1 defenseman in the NHL. He was selected sixth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and currently plays for Leksands IF in Sweden. The 6'2, 180-pound blueliner posted three goals and 14 assists in 39 games in the Allsvenskan, the top farm league in Sweden and had a league best plus/minus at +44.



Ekman-Larsson is a highly skilled defenseman blessed with uncanny hockey sense and impressive skating. He moves smoothly with incredible mobility. He is a playmaker with the potential to put up a lot of points.



Oliver Ekman-Larsson was born with skill as his grandfather, Kenneth Ekman, played on Sweden’s National team and represented his country at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Japan. Oliver will join Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson on this years Swedish World Junior Hockey Championship team who will challenge Canada for the gold medal. Ekman-Larsson will remain in Sweden for 2009-10 season and potentially join the Phoenix Coyotes after that.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has a few cards available in various ITG products and will have more with the release of In The Game's 2009-10 Heroes and Prospects which will be available at Canada Card World in late January.