Oliver Ekman-Larsson
A smooth-skating Swedish defenseman who carried the offensive load for the Arizona Coyotes for over a decade as their franchise pillar.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Swedish ice hockey player·Birthday: July 17·Millennials
Biography
For a generation of hockey fans in the desert, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was the Arizona Coyotes. Drafted sixth overall in 2009, the Swede with effortless skating and a sneaky-strong shot arrived as a promise of a brighter future. In Phoenix and later Glendale, he grew into that role, becoming the team's unquestioned leader and most dangerous weapon from the blue line. During the mid-2010s, when offense was often scarce for the Coyotes, OEL twice led the entire team in total scoring—a rare feat for a defenseman that underscored his importance. He played over 700 games in a Coyotes sweater, wearing the captain's 'C' with a quiet, steady demeanor. While later chapters of his career took him to Vancouver, Florida, and Toronto, his legacy is defined by those eleven seasons as the elegant, two-way cornerstone of a franchise.
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.
Oliver was born in 1991, 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 Oliver Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Oliver's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
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
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected 6th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
- Led the Arizona Coyotes in total points for both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 NHL seasons.
- Served as the captain of the Arizona Coyotes from 2018 to 2021.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2015 and 2018.
- Won an Olympic silver medal with Team Sweden at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
Did You Know?
His hyphenated last name combines the surnames of his mother (Ekman) and father (Larsson).
He played professional hockey in Sweden for Leksands IF as a teenager before being drafted.
He is known for his distinctive, very long hockey stick, which he uses despite being a defenseman.
He scored his first NHL goal against legendary goaltender Martin Brodeur.
“I want to be the guy they count on when the game is on the line.”
