Oskar Lindblom (born 15 August 1996) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He formerly played with the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Oskar Lindblom
Lindblom with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2018
Born (1996-08-15) 15 August 1996 (age 28)
Gävle, Sweden
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
SHL team
Former teams
Brynäs IF
Philadelphia Flyers
San Jose Sharks
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 138th overall, 2014
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2014–present

Early life

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Lindblom was born on 15 August 1996 in Gävle, Sweden.[1] One of his childhood idols was Washington Capitals player Nicklas Bäckström, also from Gävle.[2] Lindblom's father Johan played for several Swedish hockey teams.[1][2] Lindblom and his two brothers, Marcus and Linus, began playing hockey at a young age, helped by their father.[1]

All three brothers began playing hockey in the Brynäs IF junior ice hockey system. He was named as captain for the Brynäs under-16 team in the 2011–12 season, but was promoted to the under-18 team after scoring 18 points in nine games. He made two appearances at the TV-pucken tournament, playing for Gästrikland in 2011 and 2012. In his first year, Lindblom was second on the team in goals (four) and points (seven). The next year, as alternate captain, he scored 20 points in eight games, the second-highest of anyone in the tournament.[1] Going into the draft, Lindblom had 13 goals and 33 points in 43 games with Brynäs in the J20 SuperElit, the highest level of junior play in Sweden.[2]

Playing career

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Lindblom's career began with Brynäs IF, where he played on the U16, U18 and U20 junior teams. Beginning with the 2014–15 season, his outstanding play earned him a spot on their professional team who compete in the Swedish Hockey League, the country's top division. Lindblom was selected by Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the 5th round (163rd overall) of the 2013 KHL Junior Draft. He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2014 NHL entry draft. In the 2016–17 season with Brynäs IF, Lindblom finished fourth in scoring league-wide with 47 points in 52 games.[3] He was named Forward of the Year at the end of the season.[4]

Philadelphia Flyers

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On 30 May 2017, Lindblom was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.[5] He was then assigned to the Flyers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. On 18 January 2018, Lindblom was selected to replace Phantoms teammate Danick Martel at the 2018 AHL All-Star game.[6] Lindblom was called up to the NHL for the first time on 19 February 2018,[7] and played his first career NHL game two days later against the Montreal Canadiens.[8] He recorded his first NHL point on 17 March against the Carolina Hurricanes.[9] The next day against the Washington Capitals, Lindblom scored his first career NHL goal in a 6–3 win.[10] Following the Flyers defeat in Round 1 of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Lindblom was loaned to the Phantoms to play in their post-season.[11]

On 13 December 2019, Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. The diagnosis was expected to effectively end his season.[12] On 2 July 2020, Lindblom completed his chemotherapy treatments.[13] Following his cancer battle, Lindblom was named as one of three finalists for the 2019–20 Masterton Trophy alongside Bobby Ryan and Stephen Johns.[14]

On 22 July 2020, the Flyers signed Lindblom to a three-year, $9 million contract extension.[15] On 3 September, Lindblom returned to play in a Game 6 victory against the New York Islanders. He spent 17:30 minutes on ice, which included three shot attempts, two hits and one block.[16]

On 18 April 2021, the Flyers honored Lindblom at their annual Hockey Fights Cancer game, his first since returning to play post-cancer diagnosis and treatment.[17] After the regular season Lindblom was announced as a finalist for the Masterton Trophy for the second consecutive year,[18] and on 15 June, he was named as winner of the trophy.[19]

Following the 2021–22 season, in a move that was panned by both reporters and fans, the Flyers bought out the remainder of Lindblom's contract with one year remaining.[20]

San Jose Sharks

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On 13 July 2022, Lindblom signed as a free agent to a two-year, $5 million contract with the San Jose Sharks.[21]

Return to Sweden

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At the conclusion of his contract with the Sharks and having spent the final season of his contract in the AHL, Lindblom opted to return to his original Swedish club, Brynäs IF, for their return to the SHL. He was signed to a two-year contract with an additional multi-year option on 8 May 2024.[22]

International play

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Medal record
Representing   Sweden
Ice hockey
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
  2013 Drummondville and Victoriaville

Lindblom competed as a member of Team Sweden at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he led Sweden to a Gold Medal as the tournament's leading scorer.[23]

On 9 May 2019, Lindblom was named to make his senior international debut with Sweden at the 2019 World Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.[24]

Personal life

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Lindblom's older brother Marcus plays for Strömsbro IF of Hockeyettan.[25] Their younger brother Linus plays in the Brynäs IF system.[26]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Brynäs IF J18 13 6 7 13 0
2011–12 Brynäs IF J18 Allsv 17 6 7 13 8 1 0 1 1 0
2012–13 Brynäs IF J18 22 20 21 41 4
2012–13 Brynäs IF J18 Allsv 11 11 7 18 10 8 4 5 9 2
2012–13 Brynäs IF J20 3 1 0 1 0
2013–14 Brynäs IF J18 4 5 4 9 0
2013–14 Brynäs IF J18 Allsv 2 3 1 4 0
2013–14 Brynäs IF J20 43 13 20 33 28 7 6 1 7 6
2013–14 Brynäs IF SHL 4 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Brynäs IF SHL 37 8 7 15 16 4 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Brynäs IF SHL 48 8 17 25 14 3 1 2 3 6
2015–16 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 8 2 5 7 0
2016–17 Brynäs IF SHL 52 22 25 47 18 20 4 10 14 10
2017–18 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 54 16 18 34 10 11 4 3 7 0
2017–18 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 23 2 4 6 8 4 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 81 17 16 33 20
2019–20 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 30 11 7 18 4 2 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 50 8 6 14 9
2021–22 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 79 12 14 26 22
2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 73 6 9 15 18
2023–24 San Jose Sharks NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2023–24 San Jose Barracuda AHL 41 8 8 16 20
SHL totals 141 38 49 87 48 30 6 13 19 16
NHL totals 337 56 56 112 81 6 0 0 0 0

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Sweden WHC17   6 8 5 13 0
2013 Sweden WJC18 5th 5 2 2 4 0
2013 Sweden IH18 7th 4 2 2 4 0
2014 Sweden WJC18 4th 7 3 3 6 2
2015 Sweden WJC 4th 7 4 5 9 0
2016 Sweden WJC 4th 7 3 3 6 0
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 3 1 4 12
Junior totals 36 22 20 42 2
Senior totals 8 3 1 4 12

Awards and honours

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Awards Year Ref
NHL
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy 2020–21
International
World U-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal 2013 [27]
World U-17 Hockey Challenge scoring leader 2013
World U-17 Hockey Challenge All-Star Team 2013 [28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "IN-DEPTH: The highs and lows of Lindblom's fight to get to the NHL". National Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers. 4 November 2018. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Miller, Randy (14 July 2014). "Oskar Lindblom, Flyers' youngest prospect at 17, has skills to become a fifth-round steal". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Statistik spelare 2016/2017". SHL.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Oskar Lindblom, Brynäs IF, Årets Forward i svensk ishockey". Brynäs IF (in Swedish). 3 May 2017. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Flyers sign forward Oskar Lindblom". Philadelphia Flyers. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  6. ^ "F Oskar Lindblom Added to 2018 AHL All-Star Classic". phantomshockey.com. 18 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  7. ^ "OTF: Flyers recall Oskar Lindblom, loan Anthony Stolarz to Phantoms". National Hockey League. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  8. ^ Bracy, Aaron (20 February 2018). "Voracek scores pair of late goals as Flyers rally past Canadiens in overtime". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Filppula scores go-ahead goal, Flyers beat Hurricanes 4–2". National Post. 18 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  10. ^ Kimelman, Adam (18 March 2018). "Flyers defeat Capitals, gain in Metropolitan". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  11. ^ "F Oskar Lindblom, D Travis Sanheim Returned to Lehigh Valley". phantomshockey.com. 23 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Flyers' Lindblom out rest of the season with rare cancer". CBC Sports. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  13. ^ Bengel, Chris. "Flyers' Oskar Lindblom rings bell to signal end of chemotherapy treatments". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  14. ^ Satriano, David. "Masterton Trophy finalists announced". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Flyers sign LW Oskar Lindblom to three-year contract extension". National Hockey League. 22 July 2020. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  16. ^ Kimelman, Adam (3 September 2020). "Lindblom plays in Flyers' win against Islanders in Game 6 of second round". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020. Lindblom had three shot attempts, two hits and one block in 17:30 of ice time
  17. ^ "Hockey Fights Cancer Night: Flyers honor Lindblom, teen battling cancer serves as 'honorary coach'". 6abc Philadelphia. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  18. ^ Leahy, Sean (8 June 2021). "Dumba, Lindblom, Marleau named 2020–21 Masterton Trophy finalists". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Oskar Lindblom awarded Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy". National Hockey League. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  20. ^ O'Connor, Charlie. "Lindblom buyout another example of a plan lacking coherency and consistency". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Sharks Sign Forward Oskar Lindblom". National Hockey League. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Välkommen hem Oskar Lindblom" [Welcome home Oskar Lindblom] (in Swedish). Brynäs IF. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  23. ^ "3 Stars of the Day". Hockey Canada. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  24. ^ "Sweden announces roster for 2019 World Championships". swehockey.se (in Swedish). 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  25. ^ "Marcus Lindblom". eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Linus Lindblom at eliteprospects.com". eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Sweden Wins Gold Medal at 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge". Hockey Canada. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  28. ^ "WHC U17 final results". Erie Otters. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
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