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Alexander Edler
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Alexander Edler
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Ulf Niklas Alexander Edler (born 21 April 1986) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player who was a defenceman for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. He was drafted out of Sweden's third-tier ice hockey league by the Canucks in the third round, 91st overall, in the 2004 NHL entry draft, and played junior ice hockey with Modo Hockey of the J20 SuperElit and the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Key Information

Edler turned professional in North America with the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, in 2006–07, seeing some time in the NHL over the course of the season. He became a full-time member of the Canucks the following season, and has since been named to one NHL All-Star Game (2012). Having played in games for the Canucks in 2006–07, he was the longest tenured player on the team's lineup following the retirement of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, until the Kings acquired him in 2021.

Internationally, Edler has competed for Sweden on four occasions: at the 2006 World Junior Championships, the 2008 and 2013 IIHF World Championships (winning gold) and the 2014 Winter Olympics (winning silver). Edler was an offensive defenceman noted for his calm on-ice demeanor and strong slapshot.

Edler is regarded as one of the best Canucks defencemen of all time, holding the franchise records for most goals and points scored by a defenceman.

Playing career

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Sweden and junior (2001–2006)

[edit]

Edler played at the under-17 level with his hometown district team of Jämtland in 2001 and 2002, competing at TV-pucken, a national Swedish tournament.[1] In 2003–04, he joined the professional Jämtlands HF. He played with the club in Sweden's third-tier league, recording three goals and nine points in 24 games, while also appearing in six games for Jämtlands HF's junior team.

Edler was largely unknown during his NHL entry draft year, unranked by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau the entire season.[2] He was brought to the attention of the Vancouver Canucks by the team's head scout in Sweden, Thomas Gradin, who saw Edler playing with Jämtlands HF.[2] Although Gradin would refer to the team's level of play as little more than "beer-league-calibre",[2] he was impressed with Edler and encouraged Canucks management to draft him.[3] The Canucks traded up in the 2004 NHL entry draft to acquire the Dallas Stars' third-round draft pick in exchange for their own third-round pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft, and used the pick to select Edler 91st overall. The deal was made with the Stars in lieu of speculation that the Detroit Red Wings had a high interest in Edler and wanted to draft him in the third round as well.[2][4] Detroit had discovered Edler in Sweden through their European scout Håkan Andersson, who was responsible for such previous Red Wings late-round picks as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.[2][5] At the time of his draft, Canucks general manager Dave Nonis described Edler as a "smooth skater and a big guy". Nonis added, "He needs some time [to develop], but in terms of raw skill, he's got quite a bit of it."[6]

After being selected by the Canucks, Gradin brokered a move for Edler to play with Modo Hockey's junior club of the J20 SuperElit.[2] Edler had previously tried-out for Modo's youth program, but was cut.[6] Future Canucks teammates Markus Näslund, Henrik Sedin, and Daniel Sedin had also played in the Modo system before joining the NHL.[2] In Edler's lone season with Modo, he recorded 8 goals and 23 points over 33 games in 2004–05. He ranked second in point-scoring among league defencemen to Modo teammate Tommy Enström, who recorded 33.[7]

On 29 June 2005, Edler's major junior rights were obtained by the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL); he was chosen by Kelowna in the first round, 58th overall, of the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.[8] The Canucks encouraged Edler to move from Sweden to play junior in North America.[9] After reporting to training camp with the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, in September 2005,[10] he was assigned to junior with the Rockets. In his lone WHL season, Edler recorded 13 goals and 53 points over 62 games in 2005–06, ranking fifth among WHL defencemen and fourth among all rookies in scoring.[11][12] He went on to help Kelowna to the second round of the WHL playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Everett Silvertips.[13] In 12 postseason games, Edler added eight points.[citation needed]

Vancouver Canucks (2006–2021)

[edit]

The following off-season, Edler was signed to an entry-level contract by the Canucks on 24 July 2006.[14] Reporting to the Canucks' training camp in September 2006, his play had the Canucks slotting him in as the team's seventh defenceman.[15] However, a hip injury saw him assigned to the Manitoba Moose.[15] Following an injury to Canucks defenceman Sami Salo, he was called up to the NHL on 3 November 2006, two games into his AHL season.[15][16] He made his NHL debut the following day against the Colorado Avalanche.[2] Eleven days later, he was reassigned to the Moose, only to be recalled on 24 November.[14] He scored his first NHL goal on 30 November, a slap shot that beat Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sébastien Giguère in a 2–1 loss.[17] Edler was reassigned between Manitoba and Vancouver on several more occasions over the course of the 2006–07 season.[14] He appeared in 22 games total for the Canucks, recording a goal and two assists. With the Moose, he scored five goals and 21 assists for 26 points over 49 games and was named Manitoba's Rookie of the Year.[18]

A Caucasian ice hockey player standing with one hand gripping his stick. He wears a blue jersey with white and green trim and a blue, visored helmet.
Edler with the Canucks in January 2008

Playing in his rookie season with the Canucks the following season,[a] Edler was chosen to compete in the 2008 NHL YoungStars Game. Representing the Western Conference, his team was defeated 7–6 by the Eastern Conference.[20] Playing amidst numerous injuries on the Canucks' blueline, Edler appeared in the most games among team defencemen with 75. With all the injuries to his teammates, he was given additional time on the power play and penalty kill.[18] His eight goals ranked second among rookie defencemen in the NHL, while his 20 points was fifth overall.[21]

On 9 October 2008, at the start of the 2008–09 season, Edler signed a new four-year, $13 million contract with Vancouver.[22] The contract, a raise from his 2008–09 salary of $550,000, took effect for the 2009–10 season.[22] The following month, he missed two games sidelined with the flu.[14] Later in the season, he recorded a personal best four-point game (one goal and three assists) in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on 7 February 2009.[23] He finished with 37 points, including a career-high ten goals. In the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, Edler led all Canucks defencemen with seven points in ten games as the Canucks were eliminated in the second round by Chicago. In his first few seasons in the NHL, Edler was often paired with veteran blueliner and countryman Mattias Öhlund, who he considered a mentor for him.[24][25][26]

The following campaign, 2009–10, Edler improved to career-highs of 37 assists, first among team defencemen, and 42 points, second to Christian Ehrhoff. He missed six games near the midpoint of the campaign due to a left arm injury, sustained in December 2009.[14] In the 2010 playoffs, he added six points in 12 games as the Canucks were eliminated in the second round, again by the Blackhawks. Edler was injured in the sixth and deciding game of the series after opposing forward Dustin Byfuglien stepped on his right ankle after hitting him along the boards.[27] Requiring a walking cast for five weeks, he rehabilitated his ankle during the off-season.[27]

Recovering in time for the 2010–11 season, Edler continued to improve and was on pace to record new career-highs in goals, assists and points until he suffered a back injury on 24 January 2011 in a 7–1 win against the Dallas Stars after an open-ice hit against Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn. Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told reporters that Edler had been experiencing tightness in his back at several times earlier in the season, but the hit from Benn was the breaking point.[28] Edler underwent microdiscectomy surgery to relieve pressure on a herniated disk and was sidelined for 2+1⁄2 months,[29] returning for the second-last game of the regular season.[30] Finishing the season with eight goals and 33 points over 51 games, he ranked second among team defencemen in scoring, behind Ehrhoff. His 24 minutes and 17 seconds of average ice time per game also led the Canucks.[31] As the Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history, the team entered the 2011 playoffs with the first seed in the West. Eliminating the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, the Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 17 years. Facing the Boston Bruins, the team lost the series in seven games. Following their defeat, it was revealed that several Canucks players had been playing with injuries, including Edler, who played Game 7 with two broken fingers that was initially suffered in game six two days prior.[32] In the playoffs, he ranked second among Canucks defencemen and third in the league overall with 11 points (two goals and nine assists) in all 25 games.[33]

A Caucasian ice hockey player skating with gripping a hockey stick with both hands. He wears a green jersey with white and blue trim and a blue, visored helmet.
Edler (right) talking with Canucks assistant coach Rick Bowness during a Canucks practice in March 2012

With the departure of Christian Ehrhoff, the Canucks' leading defensive scorer from the previous two seasons, to the Buffalo Sabres in the off-season, Edler assumed a larger role on the team's blueline in the 2011–12 season.[34] By mid-January 2012, Edler was ranked fourth among NHL defenceman in scoring with 7 goals and 24 points. That month, he was selected to his first NHL All-Star Game. He was selected to the competition alongside Canucks teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, as well as Cody Hodgson, who was named to the rookie squad.[35] Playing for Team Alfredsson, Edler logged 21 minutes of ice time in a 12–9 loss to Team Chara.[36] Edler finished the campaign having played all 82 games for the first time in his career. He recorded personal bests and team-highs among defencemen in all major statistical categories with 11 goals, 38 assists and 49 points. League-wide, he ranked seventh among defencemen in point-scoring.[37] Out of eight attempts, his four shootout goals was first among NHL defencemen.[38] His efforts helped the Canucks to a second consecutive Presidents' Trophy. Individually, he earned four fifth-place votes for the James Norris Memorial Trophy to rank 15th overall.[39] Defending their Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions from the previous year, the Canucks lost in the first round of the 2012 playoffs to the eighth-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Edler recorded two goals in the five-game series.

On 18 January 2013, Edler signed a new six-year, $30 million contract to remain with the Canucks, which took effect for the 2013–14 season and concluding after the 2018–19 season. During the summer, Edler was the talk of trade rumours at the trade deadline. The Detroit Red Wings were the team most interested in Edler, and general manager Mike Gills tried to move Edler before the no-trade clause in his contract took effect on 1 July 2013. Ultimately, no deal was reached.

On 2 March 2018, Edler recorded two assists and surpassed Mattias Öhlund's franchise record of points by a Canucks defenceman.[40]

On 22 December 2018, Edler overtook Ohlund's record for most games played by a Canucks defenceman.[41] With the 2019 NHL trade deadline approaching, the Canucks entertained trading Edler, but ultimately didn't, as the defenceman refused to waive his no-trade clause.[42] On 28 March, Edler scored his 94th career goal with the Canucks, surpassing Ohlund's record of most goals by a Canucks defenceman.[43] Despite the injuries, which kept Edler to just 56 games, his 10 goals were his first double-digit total since 2011–12, and his 34 points in this abbreviated season represented his best per game pace since the same 2011–12 season.

On 20 June 2019, Edler signed a new two-year, $12 million contract with Vancouver for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons worth $6 million annually.[44] On 16 January 2020, Edler overtook the record for most assists by a Canucks defenceman, previously held by Dennis Kearns.[45]

Edler with the Los Angeles Kings in October 2022

With fellow long-time Canuck Christopher Tanev's departure on 9 October 2020,[46] Edler would become the last remaining player from the 2010–11 Vancouver Canucks that played in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Los Angeles Kings (2021–2023)

[edit]

On 28 July 2021, Edler left the Canucks, having spent the entirety of his 15-year career with Vancouver, to sign as a free agent on a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings.[47]

Edler recorded his first point for Los Angeles on 23 October 2021, an assist in a 7–3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. On 2 December 2021, Edler scored his 100th career NHL goal in a 3–2 loss against the Calgary Flames. It was also his first goal as a member of the Kings. On 11 December 2021, Edler injured his leg and was placed on the injured reserve list. He missed 36 games as a result. He would be activated off the injured reserve list on 22 March 2022.

On 12 July 2022, Edler signed a one-year, $750k contract extension with the Kings.[48] He played his 1,000th NHL game on 31 December 2022 in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.[49][50]

Retirement

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On 17 September 2024, the Canucks announced that Edler would sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the franchise, with the ceremony taking place on 11 October during their second regular season game against the Philadelphia Flyers.[51]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Sweden
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Silver medal – second place 2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Germany/France
Gold medal – first place 2013 Sweden/Finland

Eder made his first appearance for Sweden at the under-20 level, competing in the 2006 World Junior Championships in British Columbia. He notched his lone point of the tournament, an assist, in a 10–2 round-robin win against Latvia.[52] Sweden went on to finish in fifth place,[53] having lost their quarterfinal game to Finland.[54] Two years later, Edler debuted with Sweden's men's team at the 2008 IIHF World Championships in Halifax and Quebec City. He scored his first international goal on the powerplay against French goaltender Fabrice Lhenry in a 9–0 round-robin win.[55] Sweden went on to the bronze medal game, where they were defeated by Canada 5–4.[56] Edler finished with a goal and two assists in eight games. His 19:02 minutes of average ice time per game ranked third among team defencemen.[57]

Edler was responsible for a knee-on-knee hit to Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal in the quarterfinals of the 2013 IIHF World Championship, and was suspended for the final two games of the championship.[58] Sweden went on to win the gold medal, and Edler was awarded a medal even though he did not play in the gold medal game. On 29 July 2013, the IIHF extended the suspension to cover Sweden's first two games of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.[59] Edler later joined team Sweden during the Olympics after his two-game suspension. He recorded a goal and two assists in the tournament, helping Sweden earn the silver medal.

Playing style

[edit]
An ice hockey goaltender stretches across the net to get into position as a teammate stands to the right of the net, keeping an opposing forward away.
Edler (centre) keeps Ryan Smyth (right) away from Roberto Luongo (left) and the Canucks' net in April 2010.

Edler plays in the style of an offensive defenceman. One of his strongest offensive assets is his slapshot. At the Canucks' 2008 SuperSkills event, he beat the team's reigning hardest shooter, Sami Salo, with a 99.3 mile-per-hour shot and has gone on to win the competition in 2009 and 2010, as well.[60][61] He is also known for his poise and confidence with the puck,[62] allowing him to make strong first passes out of the defensive zone to forwards.[63] Many within the Canucks organization, such as assistant coach Rick Bowness, have asserted this as a reflection of his calm off-ice demeanor.[62]

Despite Edler's imposing physical characteristics,[62] he was not known to be an aggressive defender early in his NHL career.[6] However, he has gradually shown a capability for physicality and to hit opposing players hard.[64][65] Looking back on his transition to North American hockey with the Kelowna Rockets, Edler noted the most difficult adjustment was the physical aspect of the game, which was more pronounced than in Sweden.[9] During the Canucks' 2011 playoff run, teammate Kevin Bieksa compared him to Edler's former defensive partner, Mattias Öhlund, commenting, "He [Edler] was like Bambi when he first came into the league but now he realized how big and strong he is. When he hits guys, he hurts them."[66]

Personal life

[edit]

Edler was born in Östersund, Sweden. He has a brother, Jens, and a sister, Katarina.[67] He began playing hockey at the age of six.[6] Edler has a permanent home in Vancouver, where he met his wife Aman and where his daughters Emme and River were born.[68]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2001–02 Jämtland TVp 8 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2002–03 Jämtland TVp 8 2 1 3 0 — — — — —
2003–04 Jämtlands HF SWE.2 U20 6 0 3 3 6 — — — — —
2003–04 Jämtlands HF SWE.3 24 3 6 9 20 — — — — —
2004–05 Modo Hockey J20 33 8 15 23 40 5 1 0 1 6
2005–06 Kelowna Rockets WHL 62 13 40 53 44 12 3 5 8 12
2006–07 Manitoba Moose AHL 47 5 21 26 16 — — — — —
2006–07 Vancouver Canucks NHL 22 1 2 3 6 3 0 0 0 2
2007–08 Vancouver Canucks NHL 75 8 12 20 42 — — — — —
2008–09 Vancouver Canucks NHL 80 10 27 37 54 10 1 7 8 6
2009–10 Vancouver Canucks NHL 76 5 37 42 40 12 2 4 6 10
2010–11 Vancouver Canucks NHL 51 8 25 33 24 25 2 9 11 8
2011–12 Vancouver Canucks NHL 82 11 38 49 34 5 2 0 2 8
2012–13 Vancouver Canucks NHL 45 8 14 22 37 4 1 0 1 2
2013–14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 63 7 15 22 50 — — — — —
2014–15 Vancouver Canucks NHL 74 8 23 31 54 6 0 3 3 4
2015–16 Vancouver Canucks NHL 52 6 14 20 46 — — — — —
2016–17 Vancouver Canucks NHL 68 6 15 21 36 — — — — —
2017–18 Vancouver Canucks NHL 70 6 28 34 68 — — — — —
2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 56 10 24 34 54 — — — — —
2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 59 5 28 33 62 17 0 7 7 20
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 52 0 8 8 58 — — — — —
2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 41 3 16 19 34 7 0 2 2 14
2022–23 Los Angeles Kings NHL 64 2 9 11 34 4 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 1,030 104 335 439 733 93 8 32 40 78

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2006 Sweden WJC 5th 6 0 1 1 6
2008 Sweden WC 4th 8 1 2 3 12
2013 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2 0 1 1 25
2014 Sweden OG 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 4 1 1 2 0
2017 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 2 4 4
Junior totals 6 0 1 1 6
Senior totals 24 4 6 10 41

Awards and honors

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Award Year
NHL
YoungStars Game 2008
NHL All-Star Game 2012
Vancouver Canucks
Babe Pratt Trophy 2012, 2018, 2019
Daniel & Henrik Sedin Award 2020

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alexander Edler

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ulf Niklas Alexander Edler (born April 21, 1986) is a Swedish former who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), amassing 1,030 regular-season games with the and . Over his career, he recorded 104 goals and 335 assists for 439 points, establishing himself as a reliable two-way defender known for his powerful point shot and physical play. Edler, who hails from , , rose through the ranks in Swedish junior leagues before being selected by the Canucks in the third round (91st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Edler made his NHL debut with Vancouver during the 2006–07 season after spending time with the of the , where he helped the team win the 2006 . He became a cornerstone of the Canucks' defence over 15 seasons, appearing in 925 games and setting franchise records for defencemen in games played, goals (99), assists (310), and points (409). During this period, Edler contributed significantly to Vancouver's success, including a run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, where he posted 11 points in 25 playoff games, and earned a selection to the 2012 NHL . Following the 2020–21 season, he signed as a with the on July 28, 2021, where he played 105 games over two seasons, adding 5 goals and 25 assists before remaining unsigned for the 2023–24 season. On September 17, 2024, the Canucks announced that Edler would sign a symbolic one-day contract to retire officially as a member of the organization, culminating his career on October 11, 2024, in a ceremony honoring his contributions. Edler also represented internationally, winning gold medals at the 2006 IIHF World U20 Championship and the . His tenure with solidified his legacy as one of the team's all-time greats, with the organization recognizing him as a "Forever a ."

Early life

Upbringing in Sweden

Alexander Edler was born on April 21, 1986, in , Sweden. He spent his early years in this northern Swedish town, a region known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including . Edler's initial exposure to hockey came through local programs in in his early childhood, where he began playing with the youth team of Östersunds IK at the age of six. This involvement in community-based hockey fostered his early passion for the sport, as he developed foundational skills on local rinks amid Sweden's strong youth hockey culture. While pursuing his growing interest in , Edler balanced it with formal education in the area, though specific details on his schooling remain limited in public records. His childhood experiences in this setting laid the groundwork for his later transition to more structured junior play.

Junior hockey career

Edler began his organized hockey in Sweden's youth leagues, playing for Östersunds IK's under-16 team during the 2001–02 season, where he appeared in three games and recorded two goals and one assist. In 2003–04, at age 17, Edler advanced to Jämtlands HF, a team in Sweden's third-tier Division 1 league, marking his introduction to more competitive senior-level play alongside junior appearances for the club's J20 squad. With Jämtlands HF's senior team, he played 24 games, contributing three goals and six assists for nine points, while accumulating 20 penalty minutes, demonstrating early defensive reliability and transitional offensive skills. Edler's performance with Jämtlands caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the in the third round, 91st overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft; at the time, he was viewed as a raw, under-the-radar prospect not ranked on NHL Central Scouting's European list, valued for his size (6'4", 210 lbs) and potential as a two-way defenseman with strong skating and puck-moving ability. Following the draft, joined MODO Hockey's J20 team in the J20 SuperElit league for the 2004–05 season, where he excelled offensively for a defenseman, tallying eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points in 33 regular-season games and ranking second among league defensemen in scoring. In the , he added one goal in five games. This stint highlighted his emergence as a top junior prospect, blending physical play with emerging playmaking prowess.

Club career

Development in Sweden (2001–2006)

Edler began his professional career in Sweden's third-tier Division 1 league with Jämtlands HF during the 2003–04 season, where he established himself as a promising defenseman with strong skating and puck-handling skills. In 24 regular-season games, he recorded 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points, while accumulating 20 penalty minutes, demonstrating his physical presence on the blue line despite the challenges of adjusting to the demands of paid adult competition, including increased physicality and limited ice time compared to junior levels. Following his selection by the in the third round (91st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft—which was bolstered by his performances in under-20 competitions—Edler transitioned to Modo Hockey's junior team in the J20 SuperElit for the 2004–05 season. There, he excelled offensively for a defenseman, tallying 8 goals and 15 assists for 23 points in 33 games, ranking second among league defensemen in scoring and earning recognition for his ability to contribute in all situations, including power plays. In the playoffs, he added 1 point in 5 games, further solidifying his reputation as a capable of transitioning seamlessly from junior to professional environments. Edler's time in Sweden concluded after the 2004–05 season. On June 29, 2005, his CHL rights were acquired by the in the first round (12th overall) of the , leading to his move to for the 2005–06 (WHL) season. With , he recorded 13 goals and 40 assists for 53 points in 62 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he contributed 3 goals and 5 assists in 21 games, helping the Rockets win the WHL championship and the 2006 . These performances, along with Vancouver's scouting evaluations, led to the Canucks signing him to a three-year entry-level contract on July 24, 2006, marking the end of his junior career and paving the way for his professional debut. He later reflected on the adjustments to North American hockey, noting the greater physical demands and need to refine his defensive positioning.

Vancouver Canucks (2006–2021)

Edler signed an entry-level contract with the on July 24, 2006, and began his professional career in with their (AHL) affiliate, the , during the 2006–07 season. He recorded 5 goals and 21 assists in 49 AHL games before making his NHL debut on November 4, 2006, against the . In 22 NHL appearances that season, Edler tallied 1 goal and 2 assists, including his first NHL goal on November 30, 2006, against the . He established himself as a full-time NHL player in 2007–08, playing 75 games and contributing 8 goals and 12 assists while averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Edler's breakout came in the 2009–10 season, when he achieved career highs of 37 assists and 42 points in 76 games, leading Vancouver's defensemen in assists. He followed with another strong performance in 2014–15, posting 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 74 games despite ongoing injury challenges, helping the Canucks reach the . During the 2010–11 season, Edler missed 31 games due to back surgery but returned in April to aid Vancouver's Presidents' Trophy-winning regular season. In the , he played all 25 games en route to the Final, recording 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points, including participation in Game 7 against the despite suffering two broken fingers. On January 18, 2013, Edler signed a six-year, $30 million contract extension with the Canucks, securing his long-term commitment to the team. He served as an alternate captain during his final five seasons in (2017–18 through 2020–21), providing leadership amid team rebuilds and mentoring younger players. Edler's tenure was marked by a history of injuries, including a in February 2019 after a fall during a against the , which sidelined him for several weeks. He reached the of his 900th NHL during the 2020–21 season, all with the Canucks, underscoring his franchise-record longevity as a defenseman with 925 games played over 15 years.

Los Angeles Kings (2021–2023)

Following a 15-season tenure with the , where he established himself as the franchise's all-time leader in games played and points by a defenseman, Alexander Edler signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the as an unrestricted on July 28, 2021. This move marked the first time in his NHL career that Edler changed teams, bringing his extensive experience to a Kings blueline in transition. In the 2021–22 season, Edler appeared in 41 regular-season games, recording 3 goals and 16 assists for 19 points while posting a plus-18 rating, contributing to the ' defensive stability as they qualified for the for the first time since 2016. An upper-body sidelined him for 36 games after December 11, 2021, limiting his impact but allowing him to return for the postseason, where he played all 7 games against the , adding 2 assists. Edler signed a one-year contract extension worth $750,000 on July 12, 2022, to return for the 2022–23 season. During the 2022–23 campaign, Edler played 64 games, tallying 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points with a minus-1 rating, before missing the final 5 regular-season games due to an upper-body injury sustained on April 2, 2023. He appeared in 4 playoff games against the , registering no points. Throughout his time with the Kings, Edler embraced a veteran leadership role, mentoring younger defensemen such as Mikey Anderson and offering guidance through his professional approach and work ethic, which helped foster a positive team culture amid the group's development. Following the expiration of his contract on July 1, 2023, Edler entered unrestricted free agency to explore his options.

Retirement (2024)

Following the 2022–23 season with the , where he appeared in 64 games, Edler became an unrestricted and did not sign a contract for the , leaving him without a professional team for the first time in his career. On September 17, 2024, the announced that Edler would sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the organization, allowing him to end his 17-season NHL career with the team that drafted him in 2004. The signing took place on October 11, 2024, prior to the Canucks' home game against the at . The retirement ceremony featured a video highlighting Edler's career highlights set to Seal's "Fly Like an Eagle," drawing loud cheers from the sellout crowd of over 18,000 fans. Edler participated in a ceremonial . That day was proclaimed "Alex Edler Day" in by Mayor in recognition of his contributions to the city and franchise. In reflections during the event and subsequent media availability, Edler expressed deep gratitude for his time with the Canucks, particularly the 2011 Stanley Cup Final run, and described retiring in Vancouver as "special" after 15 seasons and 1,030 total NHL games. He noted the emotional weight of closing the chapter on his professional journey, stating, "I am humbled and honored to officially end my career and retire as a member of the ."

International career

World Junior Championships

Edler made his sole appearance for at the under-20 level during the 2006 IIHF World U20 Championship, hosted in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he competed as a 19-year-old defenseman. The tournament provided Edler with valuable international exposure on home ice for the event, just months before his professional transition. Throughout the six games, Edler contributed offensively with 0 goals and 1 assist for a total of 1 point, while accumulating 6 penalty minutes and posting a +2 rating, reflecting his involvement in a defensively oriented . His physical presence on the blue line helped Sweden's back end, particularly in shutting down opposing forwards during key matches, as the team navigated a challenging round-robin and placement games to secure a fifth-place finish overall. Edler played alongside other promising Swedish defensemen, including future NHL standout Anton Strålman, who shared similar statistical output in the . This event marked a pivotal step for Edler, bridging his junior hockey experience in and with his impending NHL debut, as he signed an entry-level contract with the on July 24, 2006, and appeared in 22 games during the 2006–07 season.

IIHF World Championships

Alexander Edler represented at the IIHF World Championships on three occasions, contributing to two wins while providing steady defensive play as a top-pairing blueliner. In the 2008 tournament held in and Halifax, , made his senior international debut, appearing in 8 games and recording 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points along with 12 penalty minutes and a +2 rating. advanced to the quarterfinals but fell to in overtime, finishing fourth overall. 's performance highlighted his physical presence and shot-blocking ability on the blue line during the preliminary round and . Edler returned for the 2013 edition co-hosted by , , and , , where he tallied 1 assist in 2 games and accumulated 25 penalty minutes before receiving a suspension for a knee-on-knee hit on 's during the quarterfinal victory over . The ban sidelined him for the semifinal against and the gold medal game against , though claimed the title and Edler was awarded a as a roster member. His limited appearances still underscored his role in stabilizing the defense during early high-pressure matchups. Edler closed out his World Championship career in 2017, playing all 10 games en route to another , with 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points, 4 penalty minutes, and a +5 rating. He logged significant minutes on the penalty kill during medal-round games, helping Sweden defeat in the final via . Over his three appearances, Edler amassed 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 20 games.

Winter Olympics

Alexander Edler was selected to 's roster for the in , , as a top-pairing defenseman, bringing his NHL experience with the to the team. His selection came despite a two-game suspension carried over from a kneeing penalty at the , which forced him to miss Sweden's opening group stage games against the and . Edler debuted for in the third group stage match against on February 16, , and went on to play in four games, registering 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points while posting a +2 plus-minus rating. Paired primarily with on the second defensive unit, Edler contributed to Sweden's stingy defense that allowed just 7 goals across 6 games for a -second-best of 1.17. His steady play helped anchor the blue line during the knockout rounds, including the quarterfinal win over , semifinal victory against , and the gold medal game. In the final on February 23, 2014, Edler logged key minutes alongside but could not prevent a 3-0 loss to , securing Sweden the silver medal—its first Olympic hockey medal since 2006. Edler's performance built on his prior experience from multiple IIHF World Championships, where he had established himself as a reliable international defender. The team's preparation included a pre-tournament training camp in , fostering strong dynamics among the veteran-laden roster led by coach Pär Mårts.

Playing style

Defensive attributes

Alexander Edler earned a reputation as a hard-hitting defenseman throughout his NHL career, frequently delivering physical checks to disrupt opponents' plays. In the 2017–18 season with the Vancouver Canucks, he recorded 157 hits, showcasing his willingness to engage aggressively along the boards and in front of the net. His commitment to shot-blocking further solidified his defensive presence, as he led the Canucks in blocked shots during multiple seasons, including 203 in 2017–18 and 166 in 2018–19. Edler's positional awareness and gap control were key elements of his two-way game, allowing him to effectively limit opponents' entries into high-danger areas. Described as a defensively sturdy , he prioritized maintaining proper defensive structure to reduce scoring threats against his team. On the penalty kill, Edler was a dependable option, often logging significant minutes alongside partner Chris Tanev during his time with the Canucks. In the 2020 playoffs, he and Tanev handled the majority of the team's penalty-kill duties on a unit ranked 16th league-wide. His average time on ice reached about 2:16 per game in the 2011–12 season, underscoring his role in stabilizing the unit. Over his career, Edler evolved from an aggressive style in his early years that occasionally resulted in higher penalty totals—such as 54 penalty minutes in 80 games during 2008–09—to a more disciplined veteran approach focused on smart, penalty-minimizing decisions. This maturation enabled him to maintain physicality without compromising team discipline, particularly in later seasons where his penalty minutes stabilized around 30–40 annually.

Offensive contributions

Throughout his NHL career, Alexander Edler amassed 104 goals and 333 assists for 437 points in 1,030 regular-season games, establishing himself as a reliable offensive contributor from the blue line. His scoring touch was particularly evident in peak seasons, such as 2011–12, when he recorded 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 82 games, highlighting his ability to drive play forward. Edler excelled as a power-play specialist, quarterbacking Vancouver's top units with precise one-timers and point shots that created scoring opportunities for teammates. Over his career, he tallied 42 power-play goals and 135 power-play assists, with 5 power-play goals and 17 power-play assists in his standout 2011–12 campaign alone. In one notable instance during a , 2012, game against the , Edler scored on an end-to-end rush during a , weaving through defenders to extend Vancouver's lead to 3-1 and demonstrating his dynamic puck-moving skills. Edler's transition game further underscored his offensive prowess, as he facilitated breakouts and occasional end-to-end rushes that ignited counterattacks, leveraging his skating and vision to transition from defense to offense seamlessly. This offensive peak culminated in his selection to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, where his contributions were recognized league-wide.

Personal life

Family

Edler married Amanda Lombardo, whom he met in during his early years with the Canucks. The couple has two daughters: Emme-Rose, born in 2014, and River, born in 2018. The daughters were raised bilingually, with Edler reading to them in Swedish and Lombardo in English; as Edler noted of Emme-Rose at age two, "She mixes her languages… but she seems to understand both languages right now." Edler's family influenced his relocation choices, as they maintained a permanent home in and spent offseasons there even after his 2021 move to the . His wife and daughters provided emotional support during injuries and career transitions, including his time away from the team amid the and his departure from after 15 seasons.

Residences and post-retirement

During his 15-year tenure with the from 2006 to 2021, Alexander Edler maintained his primary residence in the city, owning a heritage home in the neighborhood that features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and 3,791 square feet of living space. The property, originally built in 1912, was listed for sale in September 2024 at $8.49 million and remained on the market as of May 2025, assessed at $4.43 million the previous year. In July 2021, Edler signed a one-year contract with the , prompting him and his family to relocate to , where they expressed enthusiasm for experiencing the area's lifestyle and warmer climate. The move marked a significant transition for the family, who had previously settled in after Edler met his wife there. After announcing his retirement from the NHL in September 2024, has primarily resided in , though he returned to in October 2024 to sign a ceremonial one-day with the Canucks and officially retire with the organization. In post-retirement interviews, he has indicated a desire to remain connected to hockey, reportedly expressing interest in an off-ice role with the Canucks, potentially as a player development coach to mentor young prospects. Edler has long prioritized family time in his , including reading to his children—a practice he has described as important for their bilingual development, often alternating between Swedish and English during story sessions with his daughter. This routine continued to feature in his daily activities even as his professional career wound down.

Career statistics

NHL regular season and playoffs

Alexander Edler amassed 1,030 over 17 NHL seasons, scoring 104 goals and 335 assists for 439 total points, while accumulating 733 penalty minutes and posting a career rating of -19. His average time on ice stood at 22:19 per game throughout his career. Edler spent the bulk of his career with the Vancouver Canucks from 2006 to 2021, where he established himself as a top-pairing defenseman, peaking in the 2011–12 season with 49 points (11 goals, 38 assists) in 82 games. The following table details his regular season statistics during that tenure:
SeasonGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2006–07221236+3
2007–08758122042+6
2008–098010273754+11
2009–107653742400
2010–11518253324+13
2011–1282113849340
2012–13458142237-5
2013–14637152250-39
2014–15748233154+13
2015–16526142046-8
2016–17686152136-20
2017–18706283468-18
2018–195610243454+3
2019–20595283362+13
2020–215208858-8
Totals92599310409665-36
Edler concluded his career with the from 2021 to 2023, contributing steadily in a depth role after being traded from in March 2021. His statistics with the Kings are summarized below:
SeasonGPGAPTSPIM+/-
2021–22413161934+18
2022–2364291134-1
Totals1055253068+17
In the , Edler participated in 93 games across 10 postseason appearances, tallying 8 goals and 32 assists for 40 points with a of +11. Notable performances include his 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 25 games during the Canucks' 2010–11 run to the Final, where he logged heavy minutes despite injuries. With in 2021–22, he added 2 assists in 7 games en route to a first-round victory over the . In 2022–23, he appeared in 4 playoff games without recording a point.

International tournaments

Alexander Edler represented in several international tournaments throughout his career, showcasing his defensive prowess and occasional offensive contributions on the international stage. His debut came at the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championships, where he appeared in 6 games, recording 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point as finished fourth. Edler transitioned to senior international play at the IIHF World Championships, participating in the , , and 2017 editions. In , he played 8 games, contributing 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points while helping secure a . In , Edler's tournament was cut short due to injury after 2 games, in which he tallied 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point en route to a for . Edler participated in the in , , and , , where he played 10 games, recording 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points as won the . Across these three World Championships appearances, Edler accumulated 20 games played, 3 goals, 5 assists, and 8 points. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in , Edler suited up for in 4 games, registering 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points as the team earned a after a loss to in the gold medal game. Overall, Edler's international career with spanned 30 games across these events, during which he scored 4 goals, added 7 assists, and totaled 11 points, contributing to multiple medal-winning efforts.
TournamentYearGPGAP
World Juniors20066011
IIHF 20088123
IIHF 20132011
IIHF 201710224
Winter Olympics20144112
Total-304711

Recognition and legacy

Awards and honors

Edler was selected to represent the Western Conference at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, held in , , where he participated in the skills competition and the game itself. Internationally, Edler contributed to Sweden's success at the , earning a despite being suspended for the final two games following a kneeing incident; he was part of the team that defeated 5–1 in the game. Edler also won a silver medal with at the in , , where the team lost 3–0 to in the final after defeating in the semifinals. Edler also won with at the and the . With the , Edler received multiple team awards recognizing his on-ice performance and leadership. He won the Babe Pratt Trophy, awarded to the team's top defenseman as voted by fans, three times: for the 2011–12 season, the 2017–18 season, and the 2018–19 season. In 2019–20, Edler was honored with the Daniel & Award as the team's community leadership award winner, selected for his humanitarian contributions.
AwardYear(s)
NHL All-Star Game selection2012
IIHF World Championship gold medal2013, 2017
Olympic silver medal2014
Olympic gold medal2018
Babe Pratt Trophy ( top defenseman)2012, 2018, 2019
Daniel & Award ( community leadership)2020

Records and milestones

Alexander Edler established several key franchise records during his tenure with the , solidifying his status as one of the most productive defensemen in team history. He holds the Canucks record for most by a defenseman, appearing in 925 regular-season contests from 2006–07 to 2020–21. Edler also owns the franchise mark for most goals by a defenseman, with 99 tallied over that span. In addition, he previously held the team record for most points by a defenseman at 409—a total that stood until surpassed it with 410 points on October 11, 2025. Edler reached notable personal milestones that underscored his longevity and consistency in the NHL. He played his 1,000th regular-season game on December 31, 2022, as a member of the , becoming the sixth Swedish defenseman to achieve that plateau. Earlier, on December 2, 2021, Edler scored his 100th career NHL in a 3–2 loss to the , marking his first tally with the Kings after an 80-game drought. His durability was evident in extended periods of consistent play, including a stretch of reliable appearances that contributed to his ironman-like presence on the blue line. With the Kings, Edler provided veteran stability during the 2021–22 and –23 seasons, helping the team improve from 21 wins in 2020–21 to 44 wins in 2021–22 and 47 victories the following year, which clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2016. Edler's role in extended his legacy as a reliable two-way defenseman capable of impacting winning teams. As the longest-tenured after the 2018 retirement of Daniel and , Edler became the face of the franchise during its post-2010s rebuild, playing through roster overhauls and providing continuity on the blueline until his departure in 2021.

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