John Tavares forces new Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to change his number

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Ty McDonald
September 16, 2024 (4:07 PM)

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Oliver Ekman-Larsson has a new number with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his reasoning behind the choice.

He wore number 91 during his short time with the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Florida Panthers, but now after joining the Toronto Maple Leafs will be force on a new number for the upcoming season.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's Number 91 from last season with the Panthers is currently still being worn by former Captain and new Assistant Captain, John Tavares '91'.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson will dawn number 95 on his Leafs jersey for this coming year. Ekman-Larsson explained his reasoning for picking 95:

Maple Leafs Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson Reveals Reason Behind New Number with Toronto

"My brother is born '95, 1995. So I went with that," Ekman-Larsson said on Monday morning at the Maple Leafs' annual charity golf tournament in Milton, Ontario.

Ekman-Larsson was selected sixth overall by Phoenix in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. On May 24th 2010. During his time with the Coyotes wore number 23. On July 23rd 2021, Ekman-Larsson waived his no-movement clause and was traded, along with Conor Garland, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Jay Beagle, Loui Eriksson, Antoine Roussel, a 2021 first-round pick (Dylan Guenther), a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round pick. While a member of the Canucks wore number 23.

On June 16th 2023, the Canucks bought out the final four years of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, where on opening day of free agency, Ekman-Larsson was signed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Florida Panthers for the 2023-24 season on July 1st 2023. Ekman-Larsson during his time with the Panthers would wear number 91.

Ekman-Larsson has been in Toronto now for a couple of weeks and has had the opportunity to skate with his new teammates. The $3.5 million annual average value defenseman is excited for what's to come with the challenge of playing in Toronto and is seeming to fit in well with his new teammates.

"It's just fun to be here and skating with the guys. And you know a lot from playing against everybody," Ekman-Larsson said. "But just nice to see what they do on every single day, how hard they work. And yeah, I think we have an unbelievable group."