Linus Ullmark
Linus Ullmark is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 31, 1993, in Lugnvik, Sweden, he was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 163rd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft after playing junior hockey with Modo Hockey.[1][2][2] Ullmark honed his skills in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Modo from 2012 to 2015, posting a 2.72 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 79 games, which earned him a three-year entry-level contract with Buffalo in 2014.[2][3] He transitioned to North America in the 2015–16 season, splitting time between the Sabres and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, where he recorded a 2.60 goals-against average in 20 NHL games during his rookie year.[2][4] Over six seasons with Buffalo from 2015 to 2021, Ullmark established himself as a reliable starter before signing with the Boston Bruins as a free agent in July 2021. With Boston, he achieved a career-high 40 wins in the 2022–23 season.[5] With the Bruins, Ullmark formed a dynamic goaltending tandem with Jeremy Swayman, contributing to the team's record-breaking 2022–23 regular season with 65 wins.[6] That year, he won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender, finishing with a 40–6–1 record, a 1.89 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage, and two shutouts in 49 appearances.[6] He also earned First Team All-Star honors and helped Boston reach the Eastern Conference Final in the 2023 playoffs.[1] In June 2024, Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic, and a 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall).[7] As of the 2025–26 season, he serves as Ottawa's primary goaltender on a four-year, $33 million contract extension signed in October 2024.[8][9]Early career
Junior years in Sweden
Linus Ullmark was born on July 31, 1993, in Lugnvik, Sweden, and began playing hockey with the local youth team of Lugnviks IF.[3] Ullmark advanced through the Swedish youth hockey system, making his junior debut in the 2008–09 season with Kramfors-Alliansen's J18 team in the J18 Elit league, where he recorded a 3.93 goals-against average and .895 save percentage over 14 games.[3] The following season, he joined MODO Hockey's J18 team, playing eight games across J18 Elit and J18 Allsvenskan. He made his J20 SuperElit debut in the 2010–11 season with one game, gradually increasing his playing time, and appeared in 25 games during the 2011–12 campaign.[3] By 2012–13, as a 19-year-old with MODO's J20 team in the J20 SuperElit, he established himself as one of Sweden's top junior goaltenders, appearing in 23 regular-season games with a 2.04 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. That season marked Ullmark's standout junior year, as he was named the Best Goaltender in the J20 SuperElit while helping MODO secure a silver medal at the J20 SM national playoffs.[3] His strong play earned him initial call-ups to MODO's senior roster in the SHL during 2012–13, where he posted a .934 save percentage in six appearances. During the 2012–13 season, he also had a brief loan to Mora IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan, appearing in six games with a 2.10 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. These experiences signaled his readiness for professional competition. Building on this momentum, Ullmark assumed a larger role in the 2013–14 SHL season, playing 35 games with a .931 save percentage and recording three shutouts, which contributed to him winning the Honken Trophy as the SHL's outstanding goaltender.[3] These performances highlighted his rapid development and positioned him as a promising prospect for international scouting.NHL Entry Draft
Ullmark attracted attention from NHL scouts through his performances in Swedish junior hockey, where his strong play in the J20 SuperElit league showcased the potential of the young goaltender. Ranked 11th among European goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting, Ullmark's 6-foot-4 frame and athletic quickness for his size were highlighted as assets that could translate to professional success, though his status as a developmental prospect contributed to his late-round selection.[10][11][12] The Buffalo Sabres selected Ullmark in the sixth round, 163rd overall, during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[11][13] As one of the later picks among goaltenders in a draft class that included high-profile netminders like Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ullmark was viewed as a long-term project with upside due to his physical tools and composure in net. Following the draft, he returned to Sweden to continue his development with MODO Hockey, honing his skills in the SHL while building toward a transition to North American professional hockey.[2] On May 27, 2014, after two more seasons of growth in Sweden, Ullmark signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres, marking his formal commitment to the organization.[14] The deal positioned him for an eventual assignment to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, Buffalo's primary affiliate, where expectations centered on adapting to the smaller ice surface and faster pace of North American play.[15] Ullmark's first exposure to North American hockey came in the 2015-16 season, when he joined Rochester and made his AHL debut on October 10, 2015, stopping 38 of 39 shots in a win against the Utica Comets.[16]Professional career
MODO Hockey
Ullmark made his SHL debut with MODO Hockey during the 2012–13 season, appearing in six games and recording a 3–1–0 record with a 2.07 goals-against average (GAA) and .934 save percentage as a 19-year-old.[15] The following 2013–14 season marked a breakout for Ullmark, as he appeared in 35 regular-season games for MODO, leading the SHL with a .931 save percentage and three shutouts while posting a 2.08 GAA and 17–16–0 record.[3][17] His performance helped MODO finish sixth in the standings and advance to the playoffs, where he appeared in two games. He earned the Honken Trophy as the Swedish Goalie of the Year and a spot on the SHL All-Star Team.[3][2] After signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres in May 2014, Ullmark returned to MODO for the 2014–15 season, where he split duties and appeared in 35 SHL games with a 12–20–0 record, 3.12 GAA, and .904 save percentage before making three appearances in the American Hockey League (AHL) later that year.[15][12] Ullmark relocated to North America full-time following the 2014–15 season to continue his development in the AHL with the Rochester Americans.[2] His standout SHL play, particularly in 2013–14, significantly boosted his draft stock after being selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[2]Buffalo Sabres
Ullmark arrived in North America ahead of the 2015–16 season, assigned to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL), the Buffalo Sabres' primary affiliate, where he made his professional debut on the continent.[15] Appearing in 28 games for Rochester, he recorded a 10–16–0 mark with a 3.41 goals-against average (GAA) and .902 save percentage, splitting time with the NHL club after recovering from offseason hip surgery.[15] His transition from the Swedish Hockey League benefited from the technical foundation built during three seasons with MODO Hockey, allowing him to adapt to the smaller ice surface and faster pace.[2] Ullmark earned his first NHL call-up on October 23, 2015, and made his league debut the following night against the New Jersey Devils on October 24, stopping 24 of 28 shots in a 4–3 loss at KeyBank Center. In his rookie NHL campaign that year, he appeared in 20 games for Buffalo, posting an 8–10–2 record, 2.60 GAA, and .913 save percentage while serving primarily as a backup to starter Robin Lehner.[2] Over the next few seasons, Ullmark alternated between Rochester and Buffalo, honing his game in the AHL with a 26–27–4 record, 2.87 GAA, and .909 save percentage in 55 games during 2016–17.[15] As a backup in 2017–18, Ullmark saw limited NHL action with Buffalo, going 1–2–0 in 5 games with a strong 2.00 GAA and .935 save percentage.[12] He emerged as the Sabres' primary starter in 2019–20, shouldering the load in 34 games with an 17–14–3 record, 2.69 GAA, and .915 save percentage amid a rebuilding roster.[2] The 2020–21 season proved challenging due to a lower-body injury that sidelined him for much of December and January, limiting him to 20 games where he finished 9–6–3 with a 2.63 GAA and .917 save percentage.[12] Ullmark signed a one-year contract extension with Buffalo on October 25, 2020, worth $2.6 million, securing his services through the 2020–21 season as a restricted free agent.[18] Across his six seasons with the Sabres organization, he compiled a 50–47–13 record with a 2.85 GAA and .914 save percentage in 117 NHL games, establishing himself as a reliable NHL goaltender despite the team's struggles.[5]Boston Bruins
Ullmark signed with the Boston Bruins as an unrestricted free agent on July 28, 2021, agreeing to a four-year contract worth $20 million with an average annual value of $5 million, intended to form a goaltending tandem with Tuukka Rask and Jeremy Swayman.[19] In the 2021–22 season, Ullmark posted a 26–10–2 record with a 2.45 goals-against average (GAA) and .917 save percentage in 41 games, contributing to the Bruins' qualification for the Stanley Cup playoffs as the second seed in the Atlantic Division.[5] His performance provided stability in net during a transitional year for Boston's goaltending, building on the foundation from his time with the Buffalo Sabres. Ullmark's 2022–23 season marked a breakout, as he recorded a league-leading 40–6–1 mark with a 1.89 GAA and .938 save percentage in 49 appearances, topping the NHL in wins, GAA, and save percentage while earning the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender.[5] On February 25, 2023, he became the first Bruins goaltender to score a goal, firing an empty-netter from his crease to seal a 3–1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.[20] These achievements anchored Boston's record-breaking regular season, where the team set NHL marks with 135 points and 65 wins. During the 2023–24 campaign, Ullmark went 22–10–7 with a 2.57 GAA and .915 save percentage across 40 games, splitting starts with Swayman amid ongoing contract extension discussions.[5] Trade rumors intensified in the offseason due to his impending unrestricted free agency in 2025 and the Bruins' focus on securing Swayman's future.[21][22] On June 24, 2024, the Bruins traded Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic, and Ottawa's 2024 first-round draft pick (selected 25th overall).[7]Ottawa Senators
On June 24, 2024, the Ottawa Senators acquired goaltender Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic, and Ottawa's 25th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.[22] Shortly after the trade, Ullmark signed a four-year contract extension with the Senators on October 9, 2024, worth $33 million with an average annual value of $8.25 million, beginning in the 2025–26 season.[23] This deal solidified his role as the team's primary starter, addressing Ottawa's long-standing need for reliable goaltending amid their rebuilding efforts.[24] In his debut 2024–25 season with the Senators, Ullmark shared duties primarily with Anton Forsberg, appearing in 44 games and posting a 25–14–3 record with a 2.72 goals-against average (GAA) and .910 save percentage.[12] His performance contributed significantly to Ottawa's improved standing, as the team finished with a 45–30–7 record and 97 points, securing a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.[25] Ullmark's steady play helped mitigate defensive lapses during the Senators' transition from rebuild to contention, earning praise for stabilizing the crease.[26] As of November 15, 2025, in the early 2025–26 season, Ullmark has appeared in 14 games with a 6–4–4 record, 3.21 GAA, and .870 save percentage, reflecting some early struggles exacerbated by the team's defensive inconsistencies.[5] Despite allowing three or more goals in several recent outings, he has secured key wins, including a 7–1 victory over the Washington Capitals on October 25, 2025.[27] Analysts note that Ullmark's adaptation to Ottawa's high-event style has been challenging but promising, with his experience expected to anchor the Senators' push toward sustained playoff contention.[28]International career
Junior international play
Ullmark's involvement in junior international play for Sweden was limited, encompassing just three games at the U19 and U20 levels during his developmental years.[3] In the 2011–12 season, he suited up for one game with the Sweden U19 national team in international junior competition, where he earned a shutout while stopping all shots faced for a perfect 1.000 save percentage.[3] The following year, during 2012–13, Ullmark appeared in two games for the Sweden U20 team, registering a 1.37 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in those outings.[3] These sparse but competitive exposures at the junior international level, without participation in major IIHF World Championships, offered Ullmark early insights into high-stakes national team environments and supported his progression toward senior professional and international opportunities.Senior international play
Ullmark made his senior international debut during the 2012–13 season, appearing in one game for Sweden. In the 2013–14 season, he played five games overall, including three in the Euro Hockey Tour, posting a 2.77 goals-against average and .885 save percentage.[3] Ullmark was selected as a backup goaltender for the Swedish national team at the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus, where he contributed to the team's bronze medal finish despite not appearing in any games.[29] Ullmark made his first senior appearances in major international competition at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland, serving as one of Sweden's goaltenders during the tournament. He posted a 1-2-0 record across three starts, allowing 7 goals on 87 shots for a 2.26 goals-against average and .920 save percentage, while Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals before a 4-2 loss to Canada and a fifth-place finish overall.[30] In February 2025, Ullmark was named to Sweden's roster for the inaugural NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal and Boston, competing against teams from Canada, Finland, and the United States. He entered one game in relief against Finland on February 15, replacing starter Filip Gustavsson at the start of the second period after Gustavsson left due to illness, and allowing two goals on 17 shots over 41:38 of ice time, resulting in a 2.88 goals-against average and .882 save percentage in his sole appearance as Sweden secured third place with a 2-1 victory over the United States in the round-robin finale.[31] Across his senior international career in major IIHF-sanctioned tournaments, Ullmark has played in four games, compiling a 1-2-0 record with a 2.39 goals-against average and .913 save percentage, primarily in backup and relief capacities without earning a gold medal but contributing to Sweden's consistent tournament presence.[30][31]Personal life
Family and relationships
Linus Ullmark was born in Lugnvik, Sweden, to father Jan-Olof Ullmark and his wife; he has an older brother named Tobias.[32] Ullmark married his longtime partner, Moa Wikman, in a ceremony in Burån, Sweden, in June 2017.[33] The couple welcomed their first child, son Harry, in March 2018, followed by daughter Lily in December 2020.[34] Following Ullmark's entry-level contract signing with the Buffalo Sabres in 2014, the family relocated from Sweden to Buffalo in 2015 to support his early NHL career.[34] They moved again to the Boston suburbs in 2021 after he signed with the Bruins as a free agent, where they purchased a home and enrolled Harry in school.[35] In the summer of 2024, the family settled outside Ottawa following Ullmark's trade to the Senators, with Moa, the children, and their dog Bob adjusting well to the quieter environment.[36][7] Throughout these transitions, Ullmark's family has offered essential emotional support, particularly during challenging periods such as his lower-body injury in the 2020–21 season, when Moa and the children remained in Sweden amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[37] Their involvement has helped him navigate the uncertainties of the 2023–24 trade market and establish stability in new communities.[38]Personal challenges and philanthropy
Ullmark has been open about the profound impact of his father's alcoholism on his life and career. Following his father Jan-Olof's death in 2019, Ullmark learned of the long-standing alcoholism that had been hidden from him during childhood, which triggered intense emotional turmoil and contributed to what he described as the "roughest point" of his professional career during the 2019-20 NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres.[32] This revelation fueled his motivation to succeed in hockey as a way to honor his family but also led him to contemplate quitting the sport amid overwhelming grief and self-doubt.[39] He publicly shared these experiences in a December 2022 interview, highlighting how the struggles reshaped his perspective on resilience and family legacy.[32] In response to these challenges, Ullmark began therapy in the late 2010s, around 2018-2019, which became a cornerstone of his mental health journey. A lower-body injury in February 2020 further sidelined him, prompting deeper reflection and continued therapeutic support to manage anxiety and performance pressures.[32] This work paid dividends during the 2022-23 season, where his enhanced mental fortitude contributed to an NHL-leading performance, culminating in a Vezina Trophy win with a 40-6-1 record, 1.89 goals-against average, and .938 save percentage.[40] Ullmark has since advocated for mental health awareness in the hockey community, participating in NHL initiatives like Hockey Talks in January 2025 to discuss coping with loss and separation from family while emphasizing therapy as a tool for building strength.[41] He has expressed that family support, including from his wife and children, played a key role in navigating these periods. As an ambassador for AjaBajaCancer, a Swedish nonprofit aiding families affected by childhood cancer, Ullmark has been involved since around 2019, raising awareness about the annual diagnosis of over 300 children in Sweden and the emotional toll on their loved ones.[42] He wears the organization's armband during games and has collaborated on fundraising efforts, such as custom goalie gear auctions in September 2025 to provide financial relief and show solidarity to impacted families.[43] Ullmark also supports youth mental health causes through NHL platforms, promoting open conversations about emotional well-being among young athletes and fans.[44] Outside of philanthropy, Ullmark maintains a low-key personal life centered on his love for dogs, including his pets Bob, Barry (Baronen), and the late Greven, whom he has featured on custom helmets designed by his wife.[45] He enjoys outdoor activities in both Sweden and North America, finding solace in nature during off-seasons to recharge away from the rink. Ullmark has faced no major public controversies throughout his career.Career statistics
Regular season
Ullmark has played 358 games in the NHL regular season across three teams as of November 2025.[5]| Season | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Buffalo Sabres | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 3.47 | 397 | .899 | 0 |
| 2016–17 | Buffalo Sabres | 25 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 58 | 2.80 | 709 | .910 | 1 |
| 2017–18 | Buffalo Sabres | 44 | 20 | 23 | 4 | 124 | 2.82 | 1,366 | .907 | 1 |
| 2018–19 | Buffalo Sabres | 39 | 16 | 20 | 3 | 113 | 2.88 | 1,208 | .906 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | Buffalo Sabres | 36 | 11 | 18 | 5 | 109 | 3.04 | 1,075 | .899 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Buffalo Sabres | 34 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 86 | 2.53 | 1,139 | .922 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | Buffalo Sabres | 30 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 80 | 2.66 | 1,035 | .917 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | Boston Bruins | 49 | 40 | 6 | 1 | 93 | 1.89 | 1,593 | .938 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Boston Bruins | 40 | 22 | 10 | 7 | 108 | 2.57 | 1,186 | .915 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | Ottawa Senators | 44 | 25 | 14 | 3 | 120 | 2.72 | 1,319 | .909 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | Ottawa Senators | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 41 | 3.36 | 258 | .863 | 0 |
| Career | NHL | 358 | 177 | 129 | 33 | 949 | 2.65 | 11,285 | .916 | 14 |
Playoffs
Ullmark has appeared in 8 playoff games during his NHL career.[5]| Year | Team | GP | W | L | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Boston Bruins | 6 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 3.33 | 482 | .896 | 0 |
| 2024 | Boston Bruins | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3.90 | 143 | .884 | 0 |
| Career | NHL | 8 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 3.39 | 625 | .895 | 0 |
Junior International Play
Linus Ullmark represented Sweden in junior international tournaments, appearing in one game at the 2011 IIHF World U18 Championship and two games at the U20 level.[3][47]| Tournament | Year | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIHF U18 | 2011 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2.00 | .917 | 0 |
| IIHF U20 | 2012-13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1.37 | .920 | 0 |
Senior International Play
Ullmark debuted for the senior Swedish national team at the 2014 IIHF World Championship, where he was part of the bronze medal-winning squad but did not appear in any games.[29] He earned one win in three appearances at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.[30] At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Ullmark started the first two games for Sweden, posting losses in both. In the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, he made one relief appearance.[31]| Tournament | Year | GP | W | L | T | GA | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIHF Worlds | 2014 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| IIHF Worlds | 2022 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2.26 | .920 | 0 |
| Olympics | 2022 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4.00 | .889 | 0 |
| 4 Nations Face-Off | 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2.88 | .882 | 0 |