Friday, March 15, 2013

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a six-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

“Oliver is an exceptional young player who will continue to improve as he matures,” Maloney said. “He is an important part of our future and we are pleased to have agreed on a long term contract.”

This season, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Ekman-Larsson leads all Coyotes defensemen in scoring and assists with 3-14-17 in 27 games. He also ranks tied for sixth among all NHL defensemen in points and leads the Coyotes in time on ice per game (25:07) and shifts per game (29.3). Ekman-Larsson also leads the team with a plus-8 rating and is one of just two NHL defensemen to score a shootout goal this season.

Last season, the 21-year-old native of Karlskrona, Sweden set career highs in goals (13), assists (19), points (32) and games played (82). He was one of six Coyotes players to play in all 82 games and ranked first on the team in shifts/game (26.2) and second in TOI/G (22:06). He also ranked second on the team in blocked shots (92) and third in hits (140).

In three NHL seasons, Ekman-Larsson has recorded 17-43-60 and 70 penalty minutes in 157 NHL games.

Ekman-Larsson was originally drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round (6th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.