Jesper Wallstedt

Jesper Wallstedt (born 14 November 2002) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Wallstedt was drafted by the Wild in the first round, 20th overall, in the 2021 NHL entry draft. Following a historic streak of shutouts as a rookie, he was nicknamed "the Wall of St. Paul" by the media.

Playing career Wallstedt played junior ice hockey with his hometown club, Västerås IK, before joining Luleå HF organization for the 2018–19 season. Wallstedt made his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut during the 2019–20 SHL season, playing in a game against HV71. He entered in the second period of the game in relief of David Rautio, and allowed one goal as Luleå HF lost 2–1 to HV71.

On 17 May 2022, Wallstedt was signed by the Minnesota Wild to a three-year, entry-level contract.

On 12 November 2022, Wallstedt recorded his first North American win, along with scoring an empty net goal, to secure a 5–2 Iowa Wild win over the Chicago Wolves.

During the 2023–24 season, on 10 January 2024, Wallstedt made his NHL debut in a 7–2 loss to the Dallas Stars, also becoming the youngest goaltender in the Wild's history. Later that season, on 7 April, Wallstedt made his second NHL start and earned his first NHL shutout in a 4–0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

On 2 December 2025, Wallstedt was named NHL's best rookie for November after he won all six games, also recording a league-best 1.14 goals against average (GAA).967 save percentage (SV%) and three shutouts during the month.

Following the finish to the season Wallstedt finished sixth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2017–18 Västerås IK J20 25 15 8 0 1,418 54 1 2.28 .921 3 1 2 183 8 0 2.62 .922 2018–19 Luleå HF J20 21 12 8 0 1,222 54 1 2.65 .901 3 1 2 180 13 0 4.33 .870 2019–20 Luleå HF J20 28 16 11 0 1,590 67 2 2.53 .923 — — — — — — — — 2019–20 Luleå HF SHL 1 0 1 0 38 1 0 1.55 .944 — — — — — — — — 2020–21 Luleå HF SHL 22 11 8 3 1,317 49 2 2.23 .908 2 0 1 71 4 0 3.36 .871 2020–21 Luleå HF J20 1 1 0 0 60 0 1 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — — 2021–22 Luleå HF SHL 22 12 10 0 1,303 43 3 1.98 .918 1 0 0 19 0 0 0.00 1.000 2021–22 Luleå HF J20 — — — — — — — — — 1 0 1 60 5 0 5.00 .800 2022–23 Iowa Wild AHL 38 18 15 5 2,262 101 1 2.68 .908 2 0 2 126 7 0 3.35 .897 2023–24 Iowa Wild AHL 45 22 19 4 2,671 120 2 2.70 .910 — — — — — — — — 2023–24 Minnesota Wild NHL 3 2 1 0 179 9 1 3.01 .897 — — — — — — — — 2024–25 Iowa Wild AHL 27 9 14 4 1,556 93 1 3.59 .879 — — — — — — — — 2024–25 Minnesota Wild NHL 2 0 2 0 117 8 0 4.09 .843 — — — — — — — — 2025–26 Minnesota Wild NHL 35 18 9 6 1,997 87 4 2.61 .916 10 5 5 651 30 0 2.77 .909 SHL totals 45 24 19 3 2,658 93 5 2.10 .913 3 0 1 90 4 0 2.65 .892NHL totals 40 20 12 6 2,293 104 5 2.72 .911 10 5 5 651 30 0 2.77 .909

International

Year Team Event Result GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2018 Sweden IH18 2 1 1 0 118 6 0 3.05 .893 2018 Sweden U17 5 3 2 0 311 15 0 2.90 .919 2019 Sweden U18 2 2 0 0 120 3 0 1.50 .936 2019 Sweden IH18 3 1 2 0 194 8 0 2.47 .936 2021 Sweden WJC 5th 2 0 1 0 99 4 0 2.40 .923 2022 Sweden WJC 5 3 2 0 297 8 0 1.62 .940 2023 Sweden WC 6th 3 3 0 0 180 2 1 0.67 .947Junior totals 19 10 8 0 1,139 44 0 2.32 —Senior totals 3 3 0 0 180 2 1 0.67 .947