Oliver Ekman-Larsson forced to surrender his iconic jersey number to John Tavares
Photo credit: AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
Oliver Ekman-Larsson has officially chosen to wear a new number with the Toronto Maple Leafs after previously sporting 91 during his time with the Florida Panthers.
Ekman-Larsson's shift from #91 was necessary because long-time Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has held that number throughout his entire NHL career. Understanding Tavares' deep connection to the number, Ekman-Larsson made no request for a change, opting instead to honor his family in his jersey selection.
Ekman-Larsson made the decision to wear the number 95, as a tribute to his brother, who was born in 1995.
"My brother is born '95, 1995. So I went with that," Ekman-Larsson said on Monday morning at the Maple Leafs' annual charity golf tournament in Milton, Ontario.
The Swedish defenseman, drafted sixth overall in 2009 by the Phoenix Coyotes, has enjoyed a remarkable NHL career. His time in Arizona saw him become one of the league's top defensemen, even notching multiple 20-goal seasons, a rare feat for a blueliner. Following a trade to Vancouver in 2021 and a subsequent buyout by the Canucks in 2023, Ekman-Larsson joined the Panthers on a one-year deal, ultimately contributing to their Stanley Cup victory.
Ekman-Larsson's arrival in Toronto marks a fresh chapter for the veteran, and he's already begun skating with his new teammates. His excitement about joining the team is palpable, with the defenseman optimistic about the team's potential.
"It's just fun to be here and skating with the guys. And you know a lot from playing against everybody," Ekman-Larsson said. "But just nice to see what they do on every single day, how hard they work. And yeah, I think we have an unbelievable group."
As the Maple Leafs gear up for the upcoming season, Ekman-Larsson's experience and leadership will be crucial to their blue line. The number change may be a small detail, but it carries personal significance for him, reinforcing the bonds between family and sport.
Source: House of Hockey
Oliver Ekman-Larsson forced to change his number due to John Tavares
Oliver Ekman-Larsson forced to change his number due to John Tavares
| POLL | ||
17 SEPTEMBRE | 83 ANSWERS Oliver Ekman-Larsson forced to surrender his iconic jersey number to John Tavares Can Oliver Ekman-Larsson maintain his high level of performance with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 60.2 % |
| No | 33 | 39.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
