Melker Karlsson

Melker Karlsson (born 18 July 1990), nicknamed The Melkman, is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He previously played for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). During Karlsson's first tenure with Skellefteå AIK, he was a two-time Le Mat Trophy champion, winning the Swedish Championship in 2013 and 2014.

Playing career On 30 May 2014, Karlsson signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks.

After beginning the subsequent season with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League, on 9 December 2014, it was announced that Karlsson would make his NHL debut that night in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. Karlsson scored his first NHL goal on 22 December 2014, against Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks.

On 12 May 2017, it was announced the Sharks had re-signed Karlsson to a three-year, $6 million contract.

As a free agent from the Sharks after six-seasons with the club, Karlsson remained un-signed into the 2020–21 season, as the North American season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 15 December 2020, Karlsson opted to remain in his native Sweden, returning to his original club, Skellefteå AIK of the SHL, for the remainder of the season.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2005–06 Lycksele SK SWE.4 9 1 2 3 0 — — — — — 2006–07 Skellefteå AIK J18 Allsv 14 5 4 9 20 — — — — — 2006–07 Skellefteå AIK J20 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2007–08 Skellefteå AIK J18 16 10 8 18 4 — — — — — 2007–08 Skellefteå AIK J18 Allsv 14 11 5 16 16 — — — — — 2007–08 Skellefteå AIK J20 9 4 2 6 0 2 1 0 1 0 2008–09 Skellefteå AIK J20 34 10 14 24 58 6 1 3 4 2 2008–09 Skellefteå AIK SEL 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2009–10 Skellefteå AIK J20 27 14 21 35 10 2 1 1 2 0 2009–10 Skellefteå AIK SEL 36 2 0 2 8 8 0 2 2 0 2010–11 Skellefteå AIK J20 5 3 1 4 0 — — — — — 2010–11 Skellefteå AIK SEL 40 4 2 6 2 16 1 3 4 2 2010–11 Örebro HK Allsv 10 2 4 6 12 — — — — — 2011–12 Skellefteå AIK SEL 44 3 2 5 8 19 2 2 4 4 2012–13 Skellefteå AIK SEL 44 13 15 28 14 13 2 8 10 10 2013–14 Skellefteå AIK SHL 48 9 16 25 14 14 4 8 12 12 2014–15 Worcester Sharks AHL 20 5 5 10 6 — — — — — 2014–15 San Jose Sharks NHL 53 13 11 24 20 — — — — — 2015–16 Worcester Sharks AHL 4 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 2015–16 San Jose Sharks NHL 65 10 9 19 16 24 5 3 8 10 2016–17 San Jose Sharks NHL 67 11 11 22 22 6 1 0 1 6 2017–18 San Jose Sharks NHL 71 8 11 19 26 10 0 3 3 2 2018–19 San Jose Sharks NHL 79 12 4 16 26 20 0 2 2 4 2019–20 San Jose Sharks NHL 61 6 6 12 20 — — — — — SHL totals 256 42 42 84 84 71 9 23 32 28 NHL totals 396 60 52 112 130 60 6 8 14 22