Ekholm, 22 (5/24/90), has 27 points (9g-18a) in 55 games for the Admirals in 2012-13, his first full North American campaign. The 6-4, 202-pound native of Borlange, Sweden began last season with the Predators – playing in two games – before returning to Brynas of the Swedish Elite League (Elitserien) where he won the 2012 Borje Salming Award as the league’s top defenseman, and helped Brynas claim the 2012 Le Mat Trophy as Elitserien champions.

Nashville's seventh choice, 102nd overall (fourth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, becomes the fifth member of the Preds ’09 draft class to play for the team this season, joining Gabriel Bourque, Ryan Ellis, Taylor Beck and Craig Smith.

The Predators face-off against the Vancouver Canucks tonight at 7 p.m. CT for a Ford Hometown Heroes Night. In conjunction with Ford Hometown Heroes Night, the team will give out several special military jerseys, presented by AvKare, to select members of the Armed Forces in attendance. Thanks to the generosity of Nashville Predators Season Ticket Holders who made donations towards military tickets, approximately 1,500 military members and their families will be in attendance. The remaining jerseys will be up for bid at the Nashville Predators Silent Auction Table. Proceeds from the jersey sales benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. After the game, several military families will have a meet and greet with the players. The game broadcasts on Fox Sports Tennessee (1675 HD, 28 SD) and 102.5 FM the Game. Limited tickets for the final Nashville Predators regular-season home game on April 23 vs. the Calgary Flames are still available and may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, by visiting nashvillepredators.com or by calling 615-770-7800.