Elias Lindholm Bio
Elias Viktor Zebulon Lindholm is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who currently serves as a forward for the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL). Lindholm was selected fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013 NHL Draft and has since established himself as one of the league’s most consistent two-way forwards. Throughout his career, he has played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks before joining the Bruins in 2024. Known for his offensive creativity and defensive responsibility, Lindholm has represented Sweden internationally, winning gold at the 2017 World Championships and leading the tournament in goals during the 2025 edition. He signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract with Boston in July 2024.
Early Life and Background
Elias Lindholm was born on December 2, 1994, in Boden, Sweden, though he grew up in Gävle. His father, Mikael Lindholm, was a professional ice hockey player who appeared in 404 Elitserien games and 18 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1989-90 season. The Lindholm family has deep roots in hockey, with Elias’s brother Oliver Lindholm also becoming a professional player and cousin Calle Järnkrok having a notable NHL career. Notably, Elias Lindholm is not related to fellow NHL defenseman Hampus Lindholm despite sharing the surname.
Lindholm began playing ice hockey in Hanover, Germany, at the age of three while his father was playing professionally for the Hannover Scorpions. This early exposure to European professional hockey shaped his development and provided him with a strong foundation in the sport. He returned to Sweden as a teenager and joined Brynäs IF’s youth system, where he began showcasing the offensive instincts and hockey sense that would define his future career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Lindholm progressed rapidly through Brynäs IF’s development system. He played four games for the under-20 team while also serving as a key offensive contributor for the under-18 squad, finishing as the second-leading scorer. His performance caught the attention of NHL scouts, and he was selected in the fourth round (86th overall) by SKA St. Petersburg in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft. In the 2011-12 season, Lindholm joined Brynäs IF in Sweden’s Elitserien, appearing in 14 games including two playoff contests. He dominated at the junior level, leading all junior players in the Elitserien with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists).
Internationally, Lindholm represented Sweden at multiple youth tournaments. At the 2011 World Junior A Challenge and the 2012 World U18 Championships, he demonstrated his scoring ability and playmaking skills. At the 2012 World U20 Junior Championship in Ufa, he contributed two goals and two assists in six games, helping Sweden win a silver medal. He served as assistant captain for Sweden’s junior team in 2012 and 2014, earning silver medals at each tournament he played.
Elias Lindholm Career
Carolina Hurricanes (2013–2018)
Following his selection fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013 NHL Draft, Lindholm made the opening roster for the 2013-14 season. He scored his first NHL goal in his fourth game on October 10, 2013. By accomplishing this feat at 18 years and 311 days old, Lindholm became the youngest Swedish-born player in NHL history to score a goal, surpassing Gabriel Landeskog’s previous record of 18 years and 324 days. This milestone announced his arrival as a promising NHL prospect.
On March 8, 2015, Lindholm recorded his first career hat trick in a 7-4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. Throughout his five seasons with the Hurricanes, he developed into a reliable two-way forward, averaging around 40-50 points per season. His progression from a teenager into a consistent NHL contributor demonstrated his ability to adapt to North America’s top hockey league.
Calgary Flames Breakthrough (2018–2024)
On June 23, 2018, Lindholm was traded to the Calgary Flames along with defenseman Noah Hanifin in exchange for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, and prospect Adam Fox. He signed a six-year contract with the Flames on July 16, 2018. In his first season in Calgary, Lindholm primarily played top-line minutes alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. All three players had career-high scoring seasons, with Lindholm recording 27 goals and 78 points total.
The 2019-20 season saw Lindholm set a new career high in goals with 29, though the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the NHL resumed play in a bubble environment for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Flames defeated the Winnipeg Jets in the qualifying round before falling to the Dallas Stars in the first round. Lindholm contributed two goals and four assists in 10 playoff games. Midway through the 2020-21 season, the Flames dismissed coach Geoff Ward and hired Darryl Sutter, who restored Lindholm to his natural center position on the top line with Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk.
The 2021-22 season proved to be Lindholm’s most productive. Paired permanently with Gaudreau and Tkachuk, he formed one of the most dominant forward lines in the NHL. On April 23, 2022, Lindholm scored his 40th goal of the season in a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, reaching that milestone for the first time in his career. Remarkably, all three linemates scored 40 goals that season, the first time in 28 years that teammates accomplished this feat. Lindholm finished with 42 goals and 82 points and was nominated as a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward.
In the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, Lindholm scored the lone goal in Game 1 as the Flames defeated the Dallas Stars 1-0. The Flames won the series in seven games but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the second round in five games in the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years.
Vancouver Canucks (2024)
With the Flames out of playoff contention and in the final year of his contract, Lindholm was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on January 31, 2024, in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects, and draft picks. He made an immediate impact, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to score two or more goals in his debut game with the team. He also tied the franchise record for most game-winning goals recorded by a player through his first six games. Lindholm’s strong performance in Vancouver demonstrated his value as a top-six forward capable of contributing immediately to any team.
Boston Bruins Era (2024–Present)
After the 2023-24 season concluded, Lindholm left the Canucks as an unrestricted free agent and signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2024. The deal represented a significant commitment from the Bruins, who viewed Lindholm as their first-line center for the foreseeable future. Entering the 2024-25 season, expectations were high for Lindholm and the Bruins organization.
Lindholm started strong, recording two goals and three assists in his first three games with Boston. However, he then endured an 18-game goalless drought, managing only four assists during that stretch. The Bruins as a team struggled offensively during this period. Despite these challenges, Lindholm was named to Sweden’s roster for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, where he appeared in three games. After the international break, both Lindholm and the Bruins continued to face difficulties, as the team lost six of seven games before winning two straight. A ten-game losing streak followed, virtually eliminating Boston from playoff contention. Lindholm finished the season with solid production, scoring four goals and five assists in the final eight games.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lindholm is recognized as a complete two-way forward with exceptional hockey sense and versatility. His ability to play both center and wing provides his coaches with lineup flexibility. Offensively, he possesses strong puck skills, excellent vision for distributing the puck, and a accurate shot. Defensively, his positioning and backchecking have earned him recognition league-wide, evidenced by his Frank J. Selke Trophy nomination. His right-handed shot and size at 6-foot-1 allow him to win board battles and contribute in high-traffic areas of the ice. Lindholm thrives in all situations, including power play and penalty kill units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Lindholm has achieved numerous milestones. He became the youngest Swedish-born player to score an NHL goal at 18 years and 311 days. During the 2021-22 season with Calgary, he joined an exclusive group as part of a 40-goal line alongside Gaudreau and Tkachuk. His 82-point season that year represented his career high. Internationally, he led the 2025 World Championships with eight goals and earned a bronze medal and tournament all-star selection. His consistent ability to produce offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility distinguishes him among NHL forwards.
Elias Lindholm International Career
Lindholm has represented Sweden at multiple international tournaments across various age levels. At the junior level, he earned silver medals at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, 2012 World U18 Championships, and the World Junior Championships in 2013 and 2014. He served as assistant captain for Sweden’s junior team in 2012 and 2014, demonstrating leadership qualities that would translate to his professional career.
At the senior international level, Lindholm has been a regular contributor for Sweden. He won a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, establishing himself as a key player for his national team. In the 2025 World Championships, Lindholm led the entire tournament in goals with eight and earned a bronze medal. His performance earned him a spot on the tournament’s all-star team. He also represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Elias Lindholm Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Lindholm comes from a hockey family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Mikael Lindholm, played 404 games in Sweden’s Elitserien and 18 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 1989-90 season. This family legacy provided Elias with invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout his development. His uncle introduced him to the game and supported his early career, while his father’s professional experience helped shape his approach to the sport.
Lindholm’s brother Oliver Lindholm is also a professional ice hockey player, continuing the family’s hockey tradition. His cousin Calle Järnkrok has had a notable NHL career spanning multiple teams. Despite sharing the same surname as Hampus Lindholm of the Anaheim Ducks and later Ottawa Senators, Elias is not related to the fellow Swedish defenseman.
Personal Life
Lindholm spent his formative years growing up in Gävle, Sweden, after initially learning to play hockey in Germany while his father was playing for Hannover Scorpions. He began skating at age three in Hanover, giving him an early start in the sport. His family environment fostered a love of hockey, with both his brother and cousin pursuing professional careers. Lindholm maintains connections to his Swedish roots while focusing on his NHL career in North America.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Lindholm following his move to the Boston Bruins. After signing his lucrative seven-year extension in July 2024, expectations were elevated for both Lindholm and the franchise. The early portion of the season showed promise with Lindholm recording five points in his first three games. However, consistency became an issue as both Lindholm and the team experienced prolonged slumps that knocked them out of playoff contention.
Internationally, Lindholm represented Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, facing off against the world’s top players from the United States, Canada, and Finland. While he did not register a point in three games, the experience kept him sharp during the regular season. He continued his international service at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though he remained scoreless in that tournament as well. The 2025 World Championships in Switzerland provided a brighter note, as Lindholm led the tournament in goals with eight and earned a bronze medal and all-star team selection, demonstrating his continued elite-level ability.