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Erik Karlsson completed his 900th NHL career game during the San Jose Sharks' match against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday (March 2) at the SAP Center.
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Erik Karlsson is one of the top defensemen in the NHL this season. The 32-year-old is on track to post the best numbers of his career. Karlsson has appeared in 62 games for the Sharks this season and has racked up 78 points with 19 goals and 59 assists.
He is also among the heavy favorites to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the best defenseman this season. Karlsson has played 900 games in his NHL career and has accumulated 738 points (172 goals, 566 assists).
Karlsson's journey to becoming one of the best defensemen in the modern NHL has been exceptional and a source of inspiration for many aspirants. Let's take a look at Karlsson's NHL journey so far.
Erik Karlsson's NHL journey so far
Erik Karlsson was born in the Swedish town of Landsbro. He began his professional ice hockey career with the Swedish Hockey League's Frolunda Hockey Club. Karlsson won the Anton Cup with Frolunda HC after defeating Brynas IF's J20 in the Swedish Junior Ice Hockey Championship final.
The Landsbro native's career was transformed in 2008 when he was selected 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut for the "Sens" in the 2009-10 season, recording 26 points in 60 games with 5 goals and 26 assists.
Karlsson spent nine seasons with the Ottawa Senators. During his time with the "Sens," the 32-year-old defenseman established himself as one of the best in the NHL, winning two James Norris Memorial Trophies in 2012 and 2015. His best season in a Sens jersey came in 2015-16, when he recorded a career-high 82 points in 82 games, including (16 goals, 66 assists).
Karlsson was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2019 after spending nine seasons with the Senators in exchange for Chris Tierney, Dylan DeMelo, Josh Norris, Rudolfs Balcer, and multiple draft picks. Karlsson signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with the Sharks in the same year, becoming the NHL's third highest-paid player in the league.
Erik Karlsson has been a pillar for the Sharks ever since he put on the jersey. With 78 points in the current NHL 2022-23 season, he is also the Sharks' leading goal scorer and one of the favorites to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
