Linus Ullmark Bio
Linus Ullmark is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 31 July 1993 in Lugnvik, Sweden, Ullmark began his professional career in 2011 and has since progressed from the Swedish junior ranks to a Vezina Trophy-winning NHL season.
Early Life and Background
Linus Ullmark grew up in Lugnvik and later Kramfors in northern Sweden. He came through local youth programs and the Modo Hockey organization, playing at the J18 and J20 levels before breaking into senior competition; his early years included time with Kramfors-Alliansen in the Swedish J18 Elit League and later steady development with Modo’s junior and senior teams.
Ullmark’s family background shaped his early life and hockey path. He has an older brother, Tobias, and his father Jan-Olof experienced serious health and alcoholism problems that affected the family; Ullmark has spoken publicly about the emotional impact and how support from girlfriend-turned-wife Moa Wikman, goalie coaches and team staff helped him persevere.
Path to Hockey
Ullmark advanced through Modo Hockey’s system, moving from brief junior call-ups to a regular role with the senior team by the 2013–14 season. He delivered standout numbers in Sweden, earning the Honken Trophy as the SHL’s best goaltender following the 2013–14 campaign when he posted a strong goals-against average and save percentage for Modo’s senior squad.
His work in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan attracted NHL attention and led to Ullmark being selected in the sixth round, 163rd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. That selection set the stage for a move to North America and a professional path that included time in the American Hockey League and eventual full-time NHL duty.
Linus Ullmark Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Ullmark’s professional career began in Sweden in 2011, primarily within the Modo Hockey organization. He split time between junior and senior levels, earning a full senior role in 2013–14 when he made 35 appearances for Modo and recorded a 17–16–0 record with strong goaltending metrics that resulted in the Honken Trophy recognition.
Those seasons in the SHL and intermittent assignments to HockeyAllsvenskan were formative, showcasing his ability to manage a heavy workload and attract international attention that ultimately led to his entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres in 2014.
Buffalo Sabres Breakthrough (2014–2021)
After signing with the Buffalo Sabres in May 2014, Ullmark spent time developing in the Sabres organization and with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. He made his NHL debut on 24 October 2015 and recorded his first NHL win in his second start against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ullmark split seasons between Buffalo and Rochester over several years, working his way toward a full-time NHL role. He notched his first career NHL shutout on 13 October 2018 with a 36-save shutout of the Arizona Coyotes and added another 40-save shutout that December. By 2018–19 he established a regular presence with Buffalo, sharing goaltending duties and compiling experience that set the foundation for his later success.
Boston Bruins Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Ullmark signed a four-year contract with the Boston Bruins on 28 July 2021 to serve as the club’s starting goaltender. He made his Bruins regular-season debut on 22 October 2021 in a 4–1 win over his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, and recorded his first shutout as a Bruin on 28 April 2022.
The 2022–23 season was a career milestone. Ullmark and teammate Jeremy Swayman formed a dominant goaltending tandem as the Bruins set NHL records for wins and points. Ullmark posted a 40–6–1 personal record in the regular season, led the NHL in goals-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938), scored an empty-net goal to become the thirteenth NHL goaltender to score, and was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. He shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Jeremy Swayman as the tandem allowing the fewest goals against.
The Bruins entered the playoffs as favorites but suffered a first-round exit in 2023 and were eliminated in later playoff appearances during Ullmark’s tenure. Ullmark earned recognition as an NHL First Team All-Star for his regular-season performance in 2022–23.
Ottawa Senators Era (2024–Present)
On 24 June 2024, Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators. He signed a four-year contract with Ottawa on 9 October 2024 and made his Senators debut in the season opener on 10 October, earning the win. During the 2024–25 season he recorded his first shutout for Ottawa on 12 November 2024 in a 3–0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ullmark experienced a series of injuries during his first season with Ottawa, including a back issue that required time away from the lineup. He returned from injury during the season and also represented Sweden in international tournaments while contracted to the Senators.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ullmark is a tall, technically sound goaltender who uses his size, positioning and calm rebound control to limit scoring chances. He has demonstrated strong consistency in his crease, a quick glove hand and the ability to track pucks through traffic; those attributes combined with a patient, athletic approach contributed to his breakout statistical season in 2022–23 and his ability to handle a heavy workload.
Notable Events and Milestones
Career milestones include Ullmark’s Honken Trophy in Sweden, his NHL debut in 2015, his first NHL shutout in October 2018, scoring an empty-net goal in February 2023, recording his 100th career win in January 2023, and winning the Vezina Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy in 2023. Those moments frame a progression from Swedish junior standout to elite NHL goaltender.
Linus Ullmark Career Wins
Ullmark’s verified achievements include multiple NHL shutouts, a milestone 100th career win on 19 January 2023, and a 40-win regular season in 2022–23 when he led the league in goaltending categories. His record that season and postseason appearances represent the most prominent stretch of his career to date.
NHL Highlights
Highlights in the NHL include Ullmark’s first shutout on 13 October 2018 for Buffalo, two shutouts in the 2018–19 season, and his standout 2022–23 campaign with the Boston Bruins that produced 40 regulation wins, league-leading goals-against average and save percentage, and major goaltending awards.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Before arriving in the NHL, Ullmark earned recognition in Sweden, most notably the Honken Trophy as the Swedish Hockey League’s top goaltender for the 2013–14 season, and contributed to Sweden’s national team at international events, including being part of the bronze-medal squad at the 2014 IIHF World Championship and returning for the 2022 World Championship.
Linus Ullmark Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ullmark’s family life has been publicly discussed. He grew up with an older brother and with parental challenges related to his father’s health and alcoholism. Those experiences shaped his personal resilience and were factors in his development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Linus Ullmark married Moa Wikman in 2017 and the couple have a son and a daughter. Ullmark has spoken openly about mental-health challenges following family bereavement and has credited close personal relationships and professional support for helping him continue his career. He also follows esports and has discussed Dota 2 publicly.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season began with Ullmark joining the Ottawa Senators after the June 2024 trade and signing a new four-year contract in October 2024. He opened the season with an early victory and recorded his first Senators shutout against Toronto in November, but injuries interrupted his rhythm and required periods of recovery. His return to fitness and ability to regain form will determine his role and impact for Ottawa as the team seeks stability in goal.
Outlook for the 2025 season centers on Ullmark maintaining the technical strengths that produced elite numbers in prior years while managing workload and health. His experience as a starter in top NHL seasons gives Ottawa a proven goaltender capable of influencing the team’s defensive identity when fully available.