Inactive for the past season, Swedish defender Alexander Edler today signed a one-day contract with the Vancouver Canucks in order to retire with the franchise, wrapping a nearly two-decade NHL career, marked with over 1,000 games played, and a trio of international medals won with his native Sweden.

A third round Canucks pick in 2004, Edler joined the Cancuks in 2006, making the roster full-time by the following season. Edler would spend fifteen of his seventeen pro seasons in Vancouver, leading the franchise in career games and points for a defender by the time of his departure. An offensive-minded defender, Edler was a key cog in the Canucks’ consecutive President’s Trophy wins in 2011 and 2012, and came within one win of the Stanley Cup in 2011. Named an NHL All-Star in 2012, Edler would remain with the Canucks until signing as a free agent with Los Angeles in 2021, spending his final two injury-shortened seasons with the Kings. Edler notched 438 points in 1,030 career NHL games, along with another 40 points in 93 playoff games across ten seasons.

A native of Östersund, Edler first joined the Juniorkronorna at the 2006 World Juniors, debuting for the senior club two years later at the 2008 World Championships. In three Worlds appearances (2008, 2013, 2017) Edler captured Gold twice in 2013 and 2017, only playing in the latter due to a suspension at the former, preventing him from starting the Gold Medal Game in Stockholm. Edler also suited up at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, helping Sweden to a Silver medal.

Despite his multiple appearances, and a trio of medals, Edler actually only technically captured the IHLC once in his career, in his final Tre Kronor game at the 2017 Worlds final in Cologne. We wish Alexander and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: Expressen – IIHF – HHOF – IOC