Swedish NHL historyNHL fathers and sons
William and Alexander Nylander followed their father Michael into the NHL. Elias Lindholm, Rasmus Andersson and Albert Johansson also have fathers who played in the league.
Niklas and Lias Andersson
Niklas Andersson was an NHL forward before his son Lias reached the league with the New York Rangers. Both have also been part of the Los Angeles Kings organization: Niklas as a scout and Lias as a player.
- Niklas Andersson6 seasons · 1992–93–2000–01164Games82Points
- Lias Andersson6 seasons · 2017–18–2022–23110Games17Points
Peter and Rasmus Andersson
Peter Andersson played in the NHL for the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers. His son Rasmus became an NHL defenseman in Calgary. Both are defensemen.
- Peter Andersson2 seasons · 1992–93–1993–9447Games19Points
- Rasmus Andersson11 seasons · 2016–17–2026–27630Games283Points
Robert and André Burakovsky
Robert Burakovsky spent his NHL season with the Ottawa Senators in 1993/94 before returning to Europe. His son André reached the NHL with the Washington Capitals and later won the Stanley Cup with both Washington and Colorado.
- Robert Burakowsky1 season · 1993–9423Games5Points
- André Burakovsky13 seasons · 2014–15–2026–27777Games420Points
Ulf and Jonathan Dahlén
Ulf and Jonathan Dahlén both played NHL hockey for the San Jose Sharks in different years. When Jonathan scored his first NHL goals in autumn 2021, he called his father after the game.
- Ulf Dahlén14 seasons · 1987–88–2002–03966Games655Points
- Jonathan Dahlén1 season · 2021–2261Games22Points
Pär and Christian Djoos
Pär Djoos played NHL hockey for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. His son Christian also became an NHL defenseman, making his debut with the Washington Capitals. Both had a background with Brynäs.
- Pär Djoos3 seasons · 1990–91–1992–9382Games33Points
- Christian Djoos4 seasons · 2017–18–2020–21155Games38Points
Jan and Tim Erixon
Jan Erixon was a forward and his son Tim a defenseman. Both played for the New York Rangers, in different NHL generations. Tim was born in New York during Jan’s time with the team.
- Jan Erixon10 seasons · 1983–84–1992–93556Games216Points
- Tim Erixon4 seasons · 2011–12–2014–1593Games14Points
Roger and Albert Johansson
Roger Johansson played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks. His son Albert reached the Detroit Red Wings through Grand Rapids. Both are defensemen with a background at Färjestad.
- Roger Johansson4 seasons · 1989–90–1994–95161Games43Points
- Albert Johansson3 seasons · 2024–25–2026–27154Games21Points
Mikael and Elias Lindholm
Mikael Lindholm played one NHL season for the Los Angeles Kings in 1989/90. His son Elias made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes and went on to build a considerably longer career in the league.
- Mikael Lindholm1 season · 1989–9018Games4Points
- Elias Lindholm14 seasons · 2013–14–2026–27981Games662Points
Kent and Robert Nilsson
Kent Nilsson and his son Robert both played for the Edmonton Oilers, in different years. Robert was born in Calgary during his father’s NHL career and later represented Sweden internationally.
- Kent Nilsson9 seasons · 1979–80–1994–95553Games686Points
- Robert Nilsson5 seasons · 2005–06–2009–10252Games118Points
Michael, William and Alexander Nylander
Michael Nylander saw both sons, William and Alexander, reach the NHL. The family belongs among both Swedish NHL siblings and players across generations. The father’s and sons’ NHL careers belong to different periods.
- Michael Nylander15 seasons · 1992–93–2008–09920Games679Points
- William Nylander12 seasons · 2015–16–2026–27763Games709Points
- Alexander Nylander7 seasons · 2016–17–2024–25126Games49Points
Kjell and Mattias Samuelsson
Kjell and his son Mattias Samuelsson are both NHL defensemen, with different international allegiances. Kjell played for Sweden and won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh. Mattias has represented the USA and reached the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres.
- Kjell Samuelsson14 seasons · 1985–86–1998–99813Games186Points
- Mattias Samuelsson7 seasons · 2020–21–2026–27301Games91Points
Ulf, Philip and Henrik Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His sons Philip and Henrik also played in the NHL, with far fewer appearances. Ulf represented Sweden, while his sons played internationally for the USA.
- Ulf Samuelsson16 seasons · 1984–85–1999–001 080Games332Points
- Philip Samuelsson3 seasons · 2013–14–2015–1613Games0Points
- Henrik Samuelsson1 season · 2014–153Games0Points
Thomas and Alexander Steen
Thomas Steen spent his entire NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets. His son Alexander was born in Winnipeg and later became an NHL forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. Both represented Sweden internationally.
- Thomas Steen14 seasons · 1981–82–1994–95950Games817Points
- Alexander Steen15 seasons · 2005–06–2019–201 018Games622Points
NHL grandfathers and grandsons
No grandchild of a Swedish NHL player has made it to the NHL yet.
Hugo Carlsson – Anders Carlsson’s grandson
Hugo Carlsson, born in 2010, is the grandson of Anders ”Masken” Carlsson. After playing for Leksand, he was accepted into Östersunds IK’s hockey academy for autumn 2026, joining its U18 Regional setup. Who knows, perhaps Hugo Carlsson will become the first Swedish NHL player whose grandfather also played in the league?