Growth shown by Filip Ekberg has him poised as potential draft riser
Making the move across the ocean from Europe to Canada can be a huge adjustment on and off the ice for any hockey player but especially so for a 17-year-old. Filip Ekberg made that exact move for the 2024-25 season, and his play has made him a potential steal in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The playmaking winger seemed to really find his game as the season went on for the Ottawa in the Ontario Hockey League and, as evidence, picked up the league’s rookie of the month honors for March after scoring four goals and adding 11 helpers for 15 points in 10 games.
It speaks to the potential upside in the Swede, and his status as a 2025 draft eligible.
“Ekberg is a dynamic winger that exhibits strong skating ability, high hockey IQ, and excellent playmaking,” FCHockey scout Mike Kennedy said. “He really caught fire towards the end of the season and produced offensively in a big way for Ottawa.”
Who is Filip Ekberg?
Ekberg, who hails from Uppsala, Sweden, is 5-feet-10-inches and weighs 168 pounds. He was the no. 136 ranked skater on the NHL Central Scouting Midterm ranking, which would make him a fifth-round pick. Ekberg wasn’t among the top-100 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft.
Ekberg’s Path So Far
Ekberg played his minor hockey with Balsta Hockey Club before moving to the Almtuna program. As a 13-year-old in 2020-21, he scored 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in four games in the U16 division. He moved to U18 in 2021-22 and excelled with 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 40 games. Ekberg continued to move up the ladder in the 2022-23 season, playing 21 games of U18 division hockey while getting into 20 games at the U20 level and a memorable pro hockey debut when he was called up to HockeyAllenskan for a game in March — netting a hat trick in just 10:48 minutes of ice time.
The winger spent his 16-year-old season primarily split between U20 and HockeyAllenskan. He produced well in U20 with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 33 games, but struggled to make an impact at the pro level with just two assists in 19 games.
Ekberg was drafted in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft by Ottawa. He had a solid rookie year in the OHL despite Ottawa’s struggles. Ekberg finished with 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 53 games. He also represented Sweden at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, AB where he had three points (two goals, one assist) in five games.
Ekberg’s strenghts
The tools in Ekberg’s offensive game were some of the most impressive things to scouts as he transitioned to North American hockey. His high hockey IQ, playmaking ability, and strong skating are hallmarks of his game.
“Ekberg struggled at times in his first season in North America, but he still flashed impressive puck skills and quick, agile skating while playing for a below-average Ottawa team,” FCHockey regional scout Joseph Aleong said. “He’s especially dangerous on the power play, where his quick, hard shot and vision from outside the slot area can really shine through.”
Ekberg’s Areas of Improvement
Ekberg, as a smaller winger, still needs work in the physical aspects of the game. He’s a fearless battler for the puck in high-traffic areas but can sometimes struggle in cycle situations when the ice gets smaller. Ekberg also struggled to lock down a consistent role with Ottawa until late in the season due to injury and inconsistent play off the puck. That’ll be something for him to work on as he continues to develop.
“He needs to continue to work on his physicality,” Kennedy said. “Developing more strength and assertiveness in his game will aid him in puck battles and in the defensive zone.”
Filip Ekberg’s Outlook
Ekberg showed flashes of what he is capable of in his first season in North America. He still needs to build up some more strength and find another level of consistency — especially in his play away from the puck — but he is on a nice trajectory to slot into an NHL middle six down the line.
Ekberg should hear his name called in the middle rounds of the 2025 draft, and then could be poised to take another step forward with Ottawa next season.
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