| Birth date | 11 May 2007 (age 19) |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 0 |
| Weight lb | 154 |
| Position | Centre |
| Shoots | Right |
| League | NCAA |
| Team | Michigan State University |
| Draft (2025) | 45th overall |
| Draft team | Anaheim Ducks |
Eric Nilson (born 11 May 2007) is a Swedish-Canadian college ice hockey center for Michigan State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted 45th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Initially ranked as a fourth or fifth round prospect by NHL Central Scouting Bureau ahead of the 2025 NHL entry draft, Nilson rose to the sixth-ranked European skater in their midterm rankings.[1]
Nilson played the 2024–25 season with Djurgårdens IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan. He joined the Michigan State Spartans for the 2025–26 season.[2]
International play
Nilson represented Sweden at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Entering the bronze medal match pointless at the event, he recorded an assist and a hat-trick to help Sweden secure bronze.[3]
In December 2025, he was selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[4] He recorded one goal and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal. This was Sweden's first gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2012.[5]
Personal life
Nilson is the son of former NHL player Marcus Nilson and has a sister, Alice (born 2009), playing junior hockey in the Brynäs IF system.[6]
Career statistics
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sweden | HG18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2026 | Sweden | WJC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Junior totals | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 8 | ||||
References
- ^ Ferrari, Tony. "NHL Draft Rankings Reaction: Schaefer's Rise Gains Steam In Central Scouting's Mid-Term List". The Hockey News. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- ^ "Michigan State Spartans Men's Ice Hockey Roster - Eric Nilson". Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Orth, Jordan (11 August 2024). "2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Canada Claims Gold & Sweden Takes Home Bronze2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Canada Claims Gold & Sweden Takes Home Bronze". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- ^ Smeds, Jacob (5 December 2025). "Sweden Reveals World Juniors Squad". The Hockey News. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ Podnieks, Andrew (5 January 2026). "Swedes win dramatic third gold". IIHF.com. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
- ^ Present, Patrick. "2025 Anaheim Ducks Prospect Rankings: 6. Eric Nilson". The Hockey News. Retrieved 10 September 2025.