Jacob Markström

Jacob Markström
Jacob Markström
Born	January 31, 1990 (age 36); Sweden
Occupation	Professional ice hockey goaltender
Years active	2006–present
Known for	Playing in the NHL for Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils

Jacob Anders Markström (born 31 January 1990) is a professional ice hockey goaltender from Sweden currently playing for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 31st overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers and has also represented the Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames during his NHL career.

Brynäs IF

After advancing through the junior system of Brynäs IF, Markström signed a two-year deal with their senior squad on 12 May 2008. His impressive displays in the Swedish Hockey League and international competitions with Sweden’s junior squads led to his selection as the 31st overall pick by Florida in the 2008 draft.

During the 2009–10 campaign, Markström topped the Elitserien charts in both save percentage (92.72%) and goals-against average (2.01). He agreed to an entry-level contract with the Panthers on 1 June 2010.

Florida Panthers

Markström debuted in the NHL on 23 January 2011 at the Prudential Center in Newark, stepping in for starting goalie Scott Clemmensen during a defeat to the New Jersey Devils. At that time, he became the youngest netminder to appear for the Panthers. Subsequently, he was assigned to Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, to acclimate to North American hockey styles. His initial AHL season was challenging, compounded by a knee injury that required surgical intervention.

Following the departure of Tomáš Vokoun via free agency, Markström participated in Florida’s training camp in September 2011, competing alongside José Théodore and Scott Clemmensen. Due to Clemmensen’s injury, Markström secured the backup goaltender position. On 22 October, he recorded his first NHL victory by making 18 saves in the third period against the New York Islanders.

Markström began the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season in the AHL but assumed primary goaltending duties for Florida after starter Théodore sustained an injury on 2 March 2013, starting most remaining games that season.

Vancouver Canucks

Heading into the 2013–14 season, Markström was anticipated to be Florida’s starting goalie following Théodore’s departure and after signing a two-year contract extension. However, Florida's acquisition of veteran goalie Tim Thomas pushed him back to AHL duties. On 4 March 2014, Markström was traded alongside forward Shawn Matthias to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Roberto Luongo and Steven Anthony, where he served as backup to fellow Swede Eddie Läck.

Markström did not make Vancouver’s opening roster for the 2014–15 season, resulting in an assignment to their AHL team, the Utica Comets. Following an injury to starter Ryan Miller, he was recalled and appeared in several games, achieving his first win of that season on 22 March 2015 by stopping 26 shots against the Arizona Coyotes.

On 29 June 2015, Markström inked a two-year one-way contract with Vancouver. He later secured a three-year extension on 7 July 2016.

Markström earned his inaugural NHL shutout on 5 December 2017 during a 3–0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. On 12 December 2019, he recorded his fourth career shutout by making 43 saves in a tight 1–0 win against the Hurricanes, marking one of the highest shot totals stopped by a Canucks goaltender in a regular-season game. He received his first NHL All-Star Game selection on 3 January 2020 as a replacement for Marc-André Fleury.

Calgary Flames

On October 9, 2020, Markström agreed to a six-year contract worth $36 million with the Calgary Flames. During the pandemic-affected 2020–21 season, he posted a 22–19–2 record across 43 games, despite experiencing a concussion midway through the season. The Flames just missed qualifying for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, finishing slightly behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final spot in the North Division.

With the NHL returning to its usual format in the 2021–22 season, Calgary competed in the Pacific Division. Under the guidance of new head coach Darryl Sutter, Markström achieved the finest performance of his career: a record of 37–15–9, a .922 save percentage, and leading the league with nine shutouts. He earned recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goaltender. The Flames secured the Pacific Division title and faced off against the Dallas Stars in the opening round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. The series was highlighted by an intense goaltending battle between Markström and Stars’ Jake Oettinger, with Markström playing a crucial role in Calgary’s seven-game triumph.

In the second playoff round, Calgary encountered the Edmonton Oilers in their first postseason "Battle of Alberta" in over three decades. Although personally significant—having previously declined a contract offer from Edmonton in 2020—Markström struggled, recording a .852 save percentage as the Flames were eliminated in five games.

New Jersey Devils

On June 19, 2024, Markström was traded to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a first-round draft pick in 2025. Calgary retained 31.25% of his salary, resulting in a $4.125 million cap hit for New Jersey. On November 21, Markström celebrated his 500th NHL game by making 20 saves during a 4–2 victory over the Hurricanes.

International play

Markström has represented Sweden at both junior and senior international levels. He led Sweden’s junior squad to a silver medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships, earning the Directorate award as best goaltender with an impressive .946 save percentage and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.61. The following year, he contributed to Sweden’s bronze medal finish with a .927 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA.

At senior level competitions, Markström made his debut at the 2010 World Championship, where he recorded a shutout against Switzerland. He was part of Sweden’s gold-medal-winning team at the 2013 IIHF World Championship, winning both games he appeared in as backup to Jhonas Enroth.

During the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Markström served as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup but started Sweden’s opening match due to Lundqvist’s illness, leading Sweden to a 2–1 win over Russia. Sweden ultimately fell to Team Europe in the semifinals.

Regular season and playoffs

Bold denotes league leader

2012–13 AHL season San Antonio Rampage AHL 33 16 15 2 1972 87 3 2.65 .920 — — — — — — — - 2012–13 NHL season Florida Panthers NHL 23 8 14 1 1266 68 0 3.22 .901 — — — — — — — - 2013–14 NHL season Florida Panthers NHL12 1 6 3 614 36 0 3.52 .874 — — — — — — — - 2013–14 AHL season San Antonio Rampage AHL29 12 11 3 1688 72 2 2.56 .918 — — — — — — — 2013–14 NHL season Vancouver Canucks NHL4 1 2 0 200 10 0 3.00 .868 — — — — — — 2014–15 NHL season Vancouver Canucks NHL3 1 1 0 78 4 0 3.08 .879 — — — — — — - 2015–16 AHL season Utica Comets AHL2 2017–18 NHL season Vancouver Canucks NHL60 2019–20 NHL season Vancouver Canucks NHL43 2021–22 NHL season Calgary Flames NHL63 2023–24 NHL season Calgary Flames NHL48

Regular season

Playoffs

Season

Team

League

GP

W

L

T/OT

MIN

GA

SO

GAA

SV%

GP

W

L

MIN

GA

SO

GAA

SV%

2006–07

Brynäs IF

J20

1

—

65

3

0

2.77

—

1

—

25

4

0

9.76

—

2007–08

Brynäs IF

J20

22

—

1320

44

2

2.00

—

2007–08

Brynäs IF

SEL

7

2

4

1

423

22

0

3.12

.888

—

2008–09

Brynäs IF

SEL

35

13

14

5

1992

79

3

2.38

.917

1

0

1

59

2

0

2.02

.923

2009–10

Brynäs IF

SEL

43

21

11

10

2542

85

5

2.01

.927

4

1

3

224

12

0

3.21

.903

2010–11 AHL season

Rochester Americans

American Hockey League (AHL)

37

16

20

1

2174

108

1

2.98

.907

—

2010–11 NHL season

Florida Panthers

National Hockey League (NHL)

1

0

1

0

40

2

0

3.00

.857

—

2011–12 AHL season

San Antonio Rampage

AHL

32

17

12

1

1839

71

1

2.32

.927

8

4

546

26

0

2.85

|. 907 | - 2011–12 NHL season Florida Panthers NHL 7 2 4 1 383 17 0 2.66 .923 — — — — — — —

SHL totals !85 !36 !29 !16 !4957 !186 !8 !2.51 !.912 !5 !1 !4 !283 !14 !0 !2.62 !.916 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

NHL totals !534 !241 !212 !63 !30738 !1386 !24 !2.71 !.908 !31 !14 !17 !1899 !91 !2 !2.88 !.911 |

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International

| 2016 | Sweden | WC |6th place |6 |3 |3 |0 |361 |19 |0 |3.16 |.896 | 2016 | Sweden | WCH | Template:Bronze3 |1 |1 |0 |0 |60 |1 |0 |1.00 |.964 | 2019 | Sweden | WC |5th place |2 |1 |1 |0 |120 |8 |0 |4.00 |.843

Year	Team	Tournament	Placement	GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2008	Sweden	U18	4th place	6	4	2	355	18	1	3.04	.862
2009	Sweden	WJC	Template:Silver2	5	4	1	298	8	1	1.61	.943
2010	Sweden	WJC	Template:Bronze3	5	4	1	298	11	0	2.21	.927
2010	Sweden	WC	Template:Bronze3	3	3	0	180	4	1	1.33	.944
2013	Sweden	WC	Template:Gold1	3	2	1	190	5	0 \| 1.58 \| .934
Junior career totals				16	12	4	951	37	2	2.33	.920
Senior career totals				15	10	5	911	37	1	2.43	.919

Awards and honours

Award title	Year received
National Hockey League (NHL)
National Hockey League All-Star Game appearance	2020
NHL All-Star team Second Team selection	2022
Vancouver Canucks
Cyclone Taylor Trophy winner (team MVP)	2019, 2020
Molson Cup#Vancouver Canucks Three Stars Award recipient	2018, 2019, 2020
Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
Honken Trophy recipient (top goaltender)
SHL Rookie of the Year title
All-Star Team selection
American Hockey League (AHL)
AHL All-Star Game participant	2015
Second All-Star Team member	2015
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Best goaltender at the IIHF World U20 Championship (World Junior Championship)	2009