Jonas Brodin

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Brodin was born on 12 July 1993, in Karlstad, Sweden, to Stefan and Kristina and grew up alongside siblings Alexandra and Christoffer. Growing up, he preferred soccer over hockey and quit the sport when he was around nine years old. He picked ice hockey back up again at the age of 12 after being forced to choose between them. His brother Christoffer played ice hockey for Nor IK before retiring around 2011.

In Their Own Story

The 2012–13 season tested Brodin's resilience early. After recording four points in his first eight AHL games with the Houston Aeros, he suffered a broken clavicle from a legal hit by Taylor Hall on November 2. Though Hall initially received a match penalty and suspension, it was rescinded the next day once the hit was deemed legal. Brodin underwent surgery that month, missing over a month and a half before returning for one game with the Aeros. Recalled to Minnesota on January 24, 2013, he made his NHL debut the following night, recording an assist in a 5–3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Throughout this rookie campaign, Brodin was often paired alongside Ryan Suter and played more minutes per game than any other rookie in the league. On March 14, he scored his first NHL goal in a 5–3 win over the Colorado Avalanche. He finished with two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 45 games, leading all rookies in average time on ice and becoming one of only eight first-year skaters in League history to average more than 23 minutes per game.

Reader's Guide

Jonas Brodin is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild. He was drafted 10th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft. Known for his defensive play, he has been a key part of the Wild's blue line, often paired with Ryan Suter early in his career. He signed a seven-year, $42 million contract extension in 2020.

Did You Know?

• Brodin was ranked third among eligible European skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2011 draft.
• He became the eighth rookie defenseman in NHL history to average over 23 minutes per game during his rookie season.
• His first NHL goal was scored on 14 March 2013 against the Colorado Avalanche.

Early Life and Unconventional Origins

Jonas Brodin was born on July 12, 1993, in Karlstad, Sweden, to Stefan and Kristina. He grew up with siblings Alexandra and Christoffer. Unlike many hockey stars who start young, Brodin preferred soccer and quit the sport around age nine. He only returned to ice hockey at fourteen when forced to choose between the two sports. His family has strong ties to the game; his brother Christoffer played for Nor IK before retiring in 2012, while cousins Hannes and Jesper Ewen continue to play professionally.

Draft Hype and European Development

Brodin spent the entirety of the 2010–11 Swedish Hockey League season as a 17-year-old with Färjestad BK, recording four assists and 12 penalty minutes in 42 games. Before the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he was ranked third among eligible European skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Scout Grant Sonier called him an 'exceptional puck retrieval and transitional defenceman' with the ability to process pressure. After a second season where he improved to eight assists in 49 games, Brodin was selected 10th overall by the Minnesota Wild. He signed a three-year entry-level contract on July 12, 2011, but returned to Sweden for another developmental year with Färjestad BK, adding two goals over 11 playoff games.

Rookie Resilience and Immediate Impact

The NHL lockout sent Brodin to the Houston Aeros of the AHL for the 2012–13 season. He recorded four points in his first eight games before breaking his clavicle on November 2 after a legal hit by Taylor Hall. After surgery and a six-week recovery, he was recalled on January 24, 2013. He made his NHL debut the next night with an assist against Detroit. Paired with Ryan Suter, he played more minutes per game than any other rookie that season. On March 14, he scored his first goal against Colorado. Brodin finished with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 45 games, leading all rookies in ice time and becoming the eighth rookie ever to average over 23 minutes per game. He made the NHL All-Rookie Team but was not a Calder Trophy finalist.

Defensive Reliability and Career Milestones

In his sophomore year, assistant coach Scott Stevens praised Brodin's gap control, stating he 'doesn't back up at all.' Despite a broken cheekbone in October 2013 and a mumps outbreak in late 2014 that sidelined him for seven games, Brodin remained a key player. He signed a six-year, $25 million extension on October 12, 2014. By March 2015, he was hailed as one of the league's best puck-handling defencemen, finishing 13th in Lady Byng voting and tied for 18th in Norris voting. Injuries struck again with a broken foot in February 2016 and a finger injury in January 2017. He reached a career-high 28 points in the 2019–20 season, leading to a seven-year, $42 million extension on September 15, 2020. In December 2023, he missed 17 games due to a broken thumb from a hit by Evander Kane, returning on January 15 with an assist in a 5–0 win over the New York Islanders.

International Play

Brodin represented Sweden at the 2024 World Championship, where he won a bronze medal.