Jesper Boqvist

Jesper Boqvist (born 30 October 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a centre for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Boqvist was selected 36th overall by the Devils in the 2017 NHL entry draft, and has also played in the NHL for the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. He won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2025.

Playing career

Brynäs IF Boqvist made his Swedish Hockey League debut playing with Brynäs IF during the 2015–16 SHL season. On 16 May 2017, Boqvist agreed to extend his contract with Brynäs IF for a further two seasons through to 2019. Boqvist was drafted 36th overall, in the second round of the 2017 NHL entry draft, by the New Jersey Devils.

New Jersey Devils On 10 June 2019, Boqvist signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils. Boqvist scored his first NHL career goal in a 3–2 loss against the Minnesota Wild on 26 November. Boqvist's goal, which tied the game 1–1 in the first period, caused controversy by the play of Wayne Simmonds. The Wild used its coach's challenge for the play, but the goal was allowed to stand. The NHL then issued a statement during the third period that the goal should not have been allowed.

On 22 July 2022, Boqvist agreed to his qualifying offer with the Devils, re-signing to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2022–23 season. He made a career high 70 appearances for the Devils and matched his previous season tally of 10 goals while adding 21 points to help the Devils return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Boston Bruins In the following off-season, Boqvist was not tendered a qualifying offer to remain with the Devils, releasing him as a free agent. On 12 July 2023, Boqvist agreed to a one-year, one-way $775,000 contract with the Boston Bruins for the 2023–24 season.

Boqvist did not make the NHL Bruins out of the pre-season, instead being placed on waivers with the intent of being assigned to the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins. He cleared waivers and started the season on Providence. Boqvist was recalled to the NHL team on 26 October. He would play one game before being sent back to Providence. This occurred again on 12 December, where Boqvist was recalled, played one game, and then sent back down. He would be recalled a third time on 6 January 2024. This time, however, he would stick with the big club, finding a comfortable role on Boston's fourth line with his speed. Boqvist scored his first as a Bruin on 9 January, against the Arizona Coyotes. Boqvist scored his first NHL playoff point in game 1 of the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, an assist on a goal by John Beecher.

Florida Panthers After one year with Boston, Boqvist was not given a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent on 1 July 2024. On that day, Boqvist signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with reigning champions, the Florida Panthers.

Return to New Jersey On 30 June 2026, Boqvist was traded back to the New Jersey Devils, alongside Evan Rodrigues and Ben Steeves, in exchange for Angus Crookshank and Jacob Markström.

Personal life Boqvist's younger brother Adam Boqvist is a defenceman for the New York Islanders.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2014–15 Brynäs IF J20 7 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 2015–16 Brynäs IF J20 38 23 35 58 8 3 0 1 1 0 2015–16 Brynäs IF SHL 8 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 2016–17 Brynäs IF J20 15 10 5 20 6 — — — — — 2016–17 Brynäs IF SHL 16 0 6 6 2 10 1 0 1 0 2016–17 Timrå IK Allsv 19 3 9 12 0 — — — — — 2017–18 Brynäs IF J20 4 0 5 5 2 — — — — — 2017–18 Brynäs IF SHL 23 3 10 13 2 8 0 1 1 4 2018–19 Brynäs IF SHL 51 13 22 35 14 — — — — — 2019–20 New Jersey Devils NHL 35 4 0 4 8 — — — — — 2019–20 Binghamton Devils AHL 19 8 3 11 12 — — — — — 2020–21 Timrå IK Allsv 13 3 7 10 0 — — — — — 2020–21 New Jersey Devils NHL 28 4 3 7 2 — — — — — 2020–21 Binghamton Devils AHL 8 2 5 7 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Utica Comets AHL 7 2 6 8 2 — — — — — 2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 56 10 13 23 10 — — — — — 2022–23 New Jersey Devils NHL 70 10 11 21 2 6 0 0 0 0 2023–24 Providence Bruins AHL 31 10 13 23 10 — — — — — 2023–24 Boston Bruins NHL 47 6 8 14 8 8 0 1 1 0 2024–25 Florida Panthers NHL 78 12 11 23 14 13 2 3 5 0 2025–26 Florida Panthers NHL 73 4 9 13 16 — — — — —SHL totals 98 16 39 55 20 20 1 1 2 4NHL totals 387 50 55 105 60 27 2 4 6 0

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2015 Sweden IH18 5 0 1 1 4 2016 Sweden U18 7 2 1 3 2 2018 Sweden WJC 6 1 0 1 2Junior totals 18 3 2 5 8

Awards and honours Award Year RefNHL Stanley Cup champion 2025