Ekman-Larsson brings Stanley Cup home to Sweden, pays homage to late mother

After becoming an NHL champion with the Panthers for the first time in 14 seasons, the defenseman signed with the Maple Leafs as a free agent.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson returned to his native Sweden a Stanley Cup champion Thursday when the 33-year-old defenseman took in the emotions of showing off hockey’s greatest prize for the first time in his 14-season NHL career.

“Simultaneously, it’s surreal and tangible,” Ekman-Larsson expressed while at Dackehallen, a rink in Tingsryd. “The display of emotions and the time invested here, coupled with the supporters who visit, it’s all overwhelming. Of course, the trophy also draws some people, they’re intrigued by it, but I’m extremely grateful.”

Ekman-Larsson’s following step involved spending time with his friends and family. This included taking the Cup to the cemetery as a tribute to his mother, Annika, who succumbed to breast and lung cancer in 2017.

“He said, “That’s something that ranks high on the list.”

On July 1, 2023, Ekman-Larsson inked a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers, following the buyout of the last four years of his contract by the Vancouver Canucks. His performance, with 32 points from 80 games (nine goals and 23 assists) and six points from 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games (two goals and four assists), contributed to both Ekman-Larsson and the Panthers clinching their first-ever Cup. Additionally, Ekman-Larsson joined the ranks of eight defensemen in NHL history who won their first NHL championship after participating in at least 980 regular-season games, with his tally standing at 982.

“From quite early on, I had a feeling that Florida was a good choice,” said Ekman-Larsson during an on-ice interview at Dackehallen. “With them having reached the Stanley Cup Final the previous year, I felt they had both the experience and the player roster that was required. So ultimately, it proved to be an excellent decision. It’s easy to affirm this in hindsight, but here we are.”

On July 1, Ekman-Larsson inked a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, worth $14 million, which averages to $3.5 million annually.

“He expressed enthusiasm, stating, ‘The entire process, from achieving victory to planning the future, is all part of acclimatizing. The call from Toronto gave an added thrill. We can’t wait to kick off the new season there and anticipate a great deal of enjoyment. The organization is rich in history and culture.'”

NHL.com/sv independent correspondent Peter Ekholm contributed to this report