Carl Söderberg

Lore & Background

Söderberg began his career with hometown club Malmö Redhawks, dominating the J20 SuperElit with 48 points in 27 games in 2003–04. He made his professional debut in the Elitserien that season. After being drafted by the St. Louis Blues, he signed an entry-level contract in 2006 but struggled with homesickness and was loaned back to Malmö. In 2006–07, a high-stick to his left eye caused a detached retina, leaving him legally blind in that eye with 20–80 vision. He learned to compensate with other senses and continued playing. He later played for Linköpings HC in the Elitserien, leading the league with 31 goals in 2012–13. Söderberg made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in 2013, scoring his first goal later that year. He was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2015 and signed a five-year, $23.75 million contract. In 2019, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes, where he recorded 35 points in 70 games and helped the team qualify for the postseason. He played one season with the Chicago Blackhawks before being traded back to the Avalanche in 2021. He returned to Sweden and signed with Malmö Redhawks in 2021, retiring on 1 August 2023.

Reader's Guide

Söderberg's career is notable for his resilience after a severe eye injury that left him legally blind in one eye, yet he adapted and continued to play at a high level in Sweden and the NHL. He was a consistent scorer in the Elitserien, leading the league in goals in 2012–13, and translated that production to the NHL, where he played 597 games across nine seasons. His time with the Arizona Coyotes in 2019–20 saw him notch 17 goals, third among Coyotes skaters, and contribute to a postseason appearance. Söderberg's international career included representing Sweden at the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2005 World Junior Championships, and he later played in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. His journey from a second-round draft pick who nearly left the game due to injury to a reliable NHL forward underscores his determination. He retired after two seasons back with Malmö Redhawks, closing a career that spanned two continents and nearly two decades.

Did You Know?

• Söderberg was drafted 49th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2004 NHL entry draft.
• He suffered a detached retina from a high-stick in 2006–07, leaving him legally blind in his left eye.
• He led the Elitserien with 31 goals in the 2012–13 season.
• Söderberg scored his first NHL goal on 31 October 2013 against Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks.