Lars Eller
A Danish center who etched his name into hockey history by scoring the goal that delivered Washington's first Stanley Cup.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Danish ice hockey player·Birthday: May 8·Millennials
Biography
Lars Eller carved a unique path as a Danish pioneer in a sport dominated by North Americans and Europeans from traditional powerhouses. Drafted in the first round in 2007, the two-way center known as 'the Tiger' for his tenacity built a solid, dependable career across multiple NHL cities. His legacy, however, was forged in a single, transcendent moment in 2018. With the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights tied in the clinching game of the Stanley Cup Final, Eller pounced on a loose puck and shoved it into the net. That goal stood as the game-winner, ending Washington's 44-year championship drought and making Eller the first Danish-born player to have his name engraved on the Cup. More than a reliable middle-six forward, he became a permanent part of hockey lore, the man who scored the most important goal in a franchise's history.
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.
Lars was born in 1989, 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 Lars Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Lars's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the 2018 Final against Vegas.
- Became the first player born in Denmark to win the Stanley Cup in NHL history.
- Played over 1,000 regular-season games in the NHL as a dependable two-way center.
- Represented Denmark multiple times in the IIHF World Championships, often serving as a captain or key player.
- Was drafted 13th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
Did You Know?
His father, Olaf Eller, also played professional hockey and represented Denmark internationally.
He speaks four languages: Danish, English, Swedish, and Czech, the latter learned during his time playing in the Czech junior leagues.
He missed a game during the 2018 playoffs after the birth of his son, then returned to score the Cup-clinching goal.
His nickname, 'the Tiger,' was given to him by a youth coach for his aggressive style of play.
He began his professional career in Europe with Färjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League before coming to North America.
“That's the biggest goal I've ever scored, and it's going to be the biggest goal I'll ever score.”
