Carl Söderberg
A towering Swedish center who carved out a decade-long NHL career through sheer determination, overcoming a significant eye injury to become a reliable two-way presence.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Swedish ice hockey player·Birthday: October 12·Millennials
Biography
Carl Söderberg's path to the NHL was anything but straightforward. Drafted by St. Louis in 2004, his development was stalled by a severe eye injury in 2006, suffered when he was struck by a puck during practice in Sweden. Doctors doubted he would play again, but Söderberg persevered, wearing a visor for protection and retraining his depth perception. He finally made his North American debut in 2013 with the Boston Bruins at age 27, older than most rookies. His game was not flashy but effective: a big-bodied forward with soft hands, strong defensive instincts, and a knack for the shootout. He became a steady middle-six contributor for Boston, Colorado, Arizona, and Chicago, valued for his hockey sense and penalty-killing. His career stands as a testament to resilience, proving that a player can reach the highest level on intelligence and willpower.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Carl was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Carl Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Carl's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played over 600 NHL games despite not making his debut until age 27.
- Recorded a career-high 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015-16 season.
- Won the Swedish championship (Elitserien) with Frölunda HC in 2005.
- Represented Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, winning a gold medal.
Did You Know?
He is legally blind in his right eye due to the 2006 injury.
His nickname is 'Soda' or 'Söder'.
He and fellow Swede Loui Eriksson were traded for each other in a 2015 deal between Boston and Colorado.
“I had to prove I could still play the game.”
