Jacob Markström
Swedish goaltender who returned to the Florida Panthers in 2026.
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Jacob Anders Markström, born 31 January 1990, is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Panthers originally picked him in the second round, 31st overall, during the 2008 NHL entry draft. Over his career, he has also suited up for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and New Jersey Devils.
Markström began his professional career with Brynäs IF in Sweden’s Elitserien (SEL), signing a two-year deal with the senior team on 12 May 2008 after playing for their junior squad. A butterfly-style netminder, his strong play in the SEL and for Sweden’s under-18 and junior national teams led the Panthers to select him 31st overall in the 2008 draft. During the 2009–10 season, he led the Elitserien in save percentage (92.72%) and goals against average (2.01). On 1 June 2010, he agreed to an entry-level contract with Florida.
Florida Panthers
Markström made his NHL debut on 23 January 2011, entering a 5–2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the start of the second period as a replacement for starter Scott Clemmensen. That appearance made him the youngest goaltender ever to play for the Panthers.
He was then sent to Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, where the team felt he needed to adjust to North American playing styles and shooting tendencies. His first AHL season proved difficult, and he also suffered a knee injury requiring surgery. After rehab, he aimed for another shot at the NHL.
With Tomáš Vokoun leaving via free agency to the Washington Capitals, Markström competed for a starting or backup role at Florida’s 2011 training camp alongside José Théodore and Scott Clemmensen. When Clemmensen got injured, Markström earned the backup spot. He notched his first NHL win on 22 October, playing the third period against the New York Islanders and stopping all 18 shots he faced. During the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, he started in the AHL but took over as the full-time NHL starter after Théodore suffered a season-ending injury on 2 March 2013.
Vancouver Canucks
Heading into the 2013–14 season, many expected Markström to become Florida’s full-time starter after Théodore was let go and Markström signed a two-year extension. However, the Panthers signed Tim Thomas to a one-year deal, and Markström was sent back to the AHL.
Lore & Background
Markström began his professional career with Brynäs IF in the Elitserien, signing a two-year contract in May 2008. He led the league in save percentage (92.72%) and goals against average (2.01) in 2009–10, then signed an entry-level contract with the Panthers. He made his NHL debut on 23 January 2011, becoming the youngest goaltender to ever play for Florida. After being sent to the AHL's Rochester Americans, he struggled with injury and adjustment to North American playing style.
He earned his first NHL win on 22 October 2011, making 18 saves on 18 shots in relief against the New York Islanders. During the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, he became the Panthers' full-time starter after José Théodore suffered a season-ending injury. Despite signing a two-year extension, he was demoted again when Florida signed Tim Thomas, and on 4 March 2014 he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks along with Shawn Matthias for Roberto Luongo and Steven Anthony.
With the Canucks, he served as backup, recorded his first NHL shutout on 5 December 2017, and was named to his first NHL All-Star Game on 3 January 2020. He left Vancouver as a free agent on 9 October 2020, signing a six-year, $36 million contract with the Calgary Flames. In the 2021–22 season, he posted a 37–15–9 record with a .922 save percentage and a league-leading nine shutouts, becoming a Vezina Trophy finalist. He was traded to the New Jersey Devils on 19 June 2024, and on 30 June 2026 he was traded back to the Florida Panthers alongside Angus Crookshank for Jesper Boqvist, Evan Rodrigues, and Ben Steeves.
Reader's Guide
Markström's career is notable for his return to the Florida Panthers, the team that originally drafted him, after more than a decade away. His development from a highly touted prospect who struggled in his first NHL stint to a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Calgary Flames illustrates a long arc of perseverance. His 2021–22 season, in which he led the league in shutouts and helped the Flames win the Pacific Division, stands as the statistical peak of his career.
Internationally, he backstopped Sweden to a silver medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships, earning the Directorate award for best goaltender, and won a gold medal at the 2013 World Championship as backup. His trade history—moving from Florida to Vancouver, then to Calgary, then to New Jersey, and finally back to Florida—makes him one of the few players to be traded for a franchise icon (Roberto Luongo) and later return to his original club. His 500th NHL game came on 21 November 2024 with the Devils, and he participated in a notable goaltender fight against Igor Shesterkin on 31 March 2026.
Career statistics and honours
Medals
- Gold 2013 IIHF World Championship
- Silver 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- Bronze 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- Bronze 2010 IIHF World Championship
- Bronze 2025 IIHF World Championship
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sweden | U18 | 4th | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 355 | 18 | 1 | 3.04 | .862 |
| 2009 | Sweden | WJC | Silver | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 298 | 8 | 1 | 1.61 | .943 |
| 2010 | Sweden | WJC | Bronze | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 298 | 11 | 0 | 2.21 | .927 |
| 2010 | Sweden | WC | Bronze | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 4 | 1 | 1.33 | .944 |
| 2013 | Sweden | WC | Gold | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 190 | 5 | 0 | 1.58 | .934 |
| 2016 | Sweden | WC | 6th | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 361 | 19 | 0 | 3.16 | .896 |
| 2016 | Sweden | WCH | 3rd | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | .964 |
| 2019 | Sweden | WC | 5th | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 8 | 0 | 4.00 | .843 |
| 2025 | Sweden | WC | Bronze | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 336 | 12 | 2 | 2.14 | .894 |
| 2026 | Sweden | OG | 7th | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 183 | 6 | 0 | 1.97 | .936 |
| Junior totals | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 951 | 37 | 2 | 2.33 | .920 | |||
| Senior totals | 24 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 1430 | 55 | 3 | 2.31 | .911 | |||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| AHL | ||
| AHL All-Star Game | 2015 | |
| AHL Second All-Star Team | 2015 | |
| SEL | ||
| Honken Trophy | 2010 | |
| Rookie of the Year | 2010 | |
| All-Star Team | 2010 | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Star Game | 2020 | |
| NHL Second All-Star Team | 2022 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | ||
| Cyclone Taylor Trophy | 2019, 2020 | |
| Three Stars Award | 2018, 2019, 2020 | |
| International | ||
| World Junior Championship best goaltender | 2009 | |
Tables copied from the source article, totals included as the source gives them: Wikipedia: Jacob Markström (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wide tables scroll sideways.
Did You Know?
- On 31 March 2026, he fought New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, the third goaltender fight of the 2025–26 season.
More in Florida Panthers Players
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Jacob Markström (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Statistics, medals and awards: the tables of the source article.
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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