William Eklund

William Eklund (born 12 October 2002) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered the top international prospect for the 2021 NHL entry draft by NHL Central Scouting, he was selected seventh overall by the San Jose Sharks.

Playing career Eklund made his debut in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) on 4 January 2020, playing for Djurgårdens IF in a 4–2 win away against IK Oskarshamn. He played a total of 20 regular season games and scoring two points during the rest of the 2019–20 SHL season. He collected five points in his first eight games in the 2020–21 SHL season.

Eklund was signed by the Sharks to a three-year, entry-level contract on 16 August 2021. He made his NHL debut on 16 October, in a 4–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, where he also registered his first point, an assist. After playing nine games with the Sharks, he was reassigned back to Sweden on 5 November. Eklund dressed for both the Sharks and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, in 2022–23, before playing full-time for the Sharks in the 2023–24 season. He scored his first NHL goal on 14 March 2023, in a 6–5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On 1 July 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Sharks.

On 23 June 2026, Eklund was traded to the Ottawa Senators alongside forwards Kasper Halttunen and Brandon Svoboda for a 2026 first-round pick.

International play Eklund was named for the preliminary Swedish junior team roster for the 2021 World Junior Championships, but tested positive for COVID-19, preventing him from joining the final roster for the tournament.

Eklund made his debut with the Sweden senior team on 28 April 2021, in a friendly game against Denmark where he scored one goal and made one assist.

He was named to Sweden's roster for the 2025 World Championship, but got injured in a pre-tournament game.

Personal life Eklund is the son of former ice hockey player Christian Eklund, who also played for Djurgårdens IF. William's brother, Victor, is also an ice hockey player, who was drafted 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft. Along with Victor, William has four younger step-siblings.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 Djurgårdens IF J20 13 1 2 3 6 8 2 6 0 2019–20 Djurgårdens IF J20 31 12 24 36 22 — — — — — 2019–20 Djurgårdens IF SHL 20 0 2 2 4 — — — — — 2020–21 Djurgårdens IF SHL 40 11 12 23 2 3 1 1 2 2 2021–22 Djurgårdens IF SHL 29 1 13 14 4 — — — — — 2021–22 San Jose Sharks NHL 9 0 4 4 2 — — — — — 2022–23 San Jose Barracuda AHL 54 17 24 41 43 — — — — — 2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 8 2 1 3 6 — — — — — 2023–24 San Jose Sharks NHL 80 16 29 45 30 — — — — — 2024–25 San Jose Sharks NHL 77 17 41 58 29 — — — — — 2025–26 San Jose Sharks NHL 78 15 38 53 32 — — — — —SHL totals 89 12 27 39 10 3 1 1 2 2NHL totals 252 50 113 163 99 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2019 Sweden HG18 5 1 2 3 2Junior totals 5 1 2 3 2

Awards and honors Award Year RefSHL Rookie of the Year 2021 Swedish junior player of the year 2021 NHL E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence 2021