#5 Aaron Ekblad
How Acquired: Selected by Florida in the 1st Round (1st overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft
2023-24 Notes:
- Won the 2023-24 Stanley Cup with Florida as the club’s longest-tenured active defenseman, producing six points (1-5-6) and a plus-four rating over 24 postseason games.
- Led Florida with 48 blocked shots during the 2023-24 postseason, ranking third on the team in total time on ice (541:09)
- Became the fifth No. 1 pick in NHL history to play at least 600 regular-season games for the franchise that drafted him before winning a Cup with them – and the only defenseman to do so (also Alex Ovechkin: 1,003 w/ WSH; Steven Stamkos: 803 w/ TBL; Mike Modano: 710 w/ DAL/MNS; and Nathan MacKinnon: 638 w/ COL; the next player on the list is defenseman Denis Potvin: 498 w/ NYI).
- Registered 18 points (4-14-18) over 51 regular season games, including a plus-27 rating that ranked second among Florida defensemen
- Skated in his 672nd NHL game, surpassing J. Huberdeau for 2nd most games played in franchise history, March 9 vs. CGY
- Notched an assist for his 230th career helper, surpassing R. Svehla for most by a defenseman in club history, March 5 at NJD
- Tallied a goal at :19, the second-fastest goal to start a game by Florida defenseman, Feb. 20 vs. OTT
- Posted a season-high 7 shots on goal, Feb. 8 vs. WSH
- Matched his career high with four points (1-3-4) and earned a plus-four rating, Jan. 19 vs. MIN
- 2-game assist streak (0-2-2), Jan. 4-6
- Scored his first goal of the season, Dec. 27 at TBL
- 2-game assist streak (0-2-2), Dec. 2-6
- Made his season debut, Nov. 17 at ANA
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Florida’s all-time leader by a defenseman in games played, goals, assists, points, overtime goals, and game-winning goals in the regular season. He is also the club’s all-time blue line leader in games played in the postseason (64).
- Career-high four points (2-2-4), two PPGs, passed R. Svehla (26) for most PPGs by FLA D-man in franchise history, March 4, 2021 at NSH
- Selected to play in two NHL All-Star Games (2015, 2016)
- 2014-15 Calder Memorial Trophy Winner
- Named to 2014-15 NHL All-Rookie Team
- Tied with Jason Garrison (2011-12) and Brandon Montour (2022-23) for the Panthers franchise single season goals by a defenseman record (16, 2017-18)
- In 2019-20, tied for first in the NHL for shifts per game (30.1)
- Scored his 62nd NHL goal, breaking franchise record for goals by a defenseman, Jan. 19, 2020 at NSH
- In his first NHL season, led all rookie defensemen in goals (12), PPGS (6), PP points (13) and shots (170), while ranking 2nd in assists (27) and points (39) en route to winning the Calder Trophy
- Owns Panthers rookie defensemen records for goals (12), assists (27) and points (39)
- In 2014-15 became the third-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history to begin his career as an 18-year old, trailing only Phil Housley (66) and Bobby Orr (41)
- Won 2013-14 OHL Max Kaminsky Trophy for League’s most Outstanding Defenseman and led the OHL’s defensemen with 23 goals
- Named to 2013-14 OHL First All-Star Team and played in the OHL CHL Subway Series
- In a 2014 poll among OHL coaches was voted first in best shot, hardest shot, best offensive defenseman and best defensive defenseman in the Eastern Conference
- Won 2011-12 OHL Emms Family Award (Rookie of the Year)
- Named to 2011-12 OHL First All-Rookie Team
- Granted Exceptional Player Status by Hockey Canada to enter the Canadian Hockey League as a 15-year old
- Selected first overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection
FIRSTS/SINGLE-GAME HIGHS/STREAKS
First NHL Game: Oct. 9, 2014 at TBL
First NHL Goal: Nov. 1, 2014 vs. PHI
Most Goals, Single Game: 2 (6X), Last: March 16, 2023 vs. MTL
Most Assists, Single Game: 4, March 10, 2022 vs. PHI
Most Points, Single Game: 4 (3X), Last: Jan. 19 vs. MIN
Most PIM, Single Game: 12, Dec. 21, 2022 vs. NJD
Most Shots, Single Game: 9 (3X), Last: Nov. 19, 2018 at ANA
Longest Goal Streak: 4 Games, Feb. 16-22, 2022
Longest Assist Streak: 5 Games (2X), Last: Jan. 31-Feb. 20, 2022
Longest Point Streak: 7 Games, March 27-April 8, 2023