Jesper Boqvist

{{short description|Swedish ice hockey player (born 1998)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Jesper Boqvist | image = Jesper Boqvist (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Boqvist with the New Jersey Devils in 2022 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|10|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Falun, Sweden | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 180 | position = Centre | shoots = Left | league = NHL | team = Florida Panthers | prospect_team =  | prospect_league = AHL | former_teams = Brynäs IF<br>New Jersey Devils<br>Boston Bruins | draft = 36th overall | draft_year = 2017 | draft_team = New Jersey Devils | career_start = 2016 | career_end = }} '''Jesper Boqvist''' (born 30 October 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a centre for the  Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Boqvist was selected 36th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2017 NHL entry draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2025.

==Playing career== [[File:Jesper Boqvist waits for a faceoff with the Florida Panthers during a game against the Vancouver Canucks in November 2025.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Jesper Boqvist waits for a faceoff with the Florida Panthers during a game against the Vancouver Canucks in November 2025|Boqvist waits for a faceoff with the Florida Panthers during a game against the Vancouver Canucks in November 2025]]

===Brynäs IF=== Boqvist made his Swedish Hockey League debut playing with Brynäs IF during the 2015–16 SHL season. On 16 May 2017, Boqvist agreed to extend his contract with Brynäs IF for a further two seasons through to 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ännu ett framtidsnamn skriver kontrakt |url=http://www.brynas.se/artikel/apysaj2r5-1ekad/annu-ett-framtidsnamn-skriver-kontrakt |website=Brynäs IF |accessdate=16 May 2017 |language=sv-SE |date=16 May 2017}}</ref> Boqvist was drafted 36th overall, in the second round of the 2017 NHL entry draft, by the New Jersey Devils.

===New Jersey Devils=== On 10 June 2019, Boqvist signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Boqvist Agrees to Terms |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-boqvist-agrees-to-terms/c-307785028 |website=NHL.com |accessdate=10 June 2019 |date=10 June 2019}}</ref> Boqvist scored his first NHL career goal in a 3–2 loss against the Minnesota Wild on 26 November.<ref name="First goal">{{cite web |title=Kahkonen has 32 saves, Suter scores, Wild win |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401145416 |website=ESPN |accessdate=6 January 2020 |date=26 November 2019}}</ref> Boqvist's goal, which tied the game 1–1 in the first period, caused controversy by the play of Wayne Simmonds. The Wild used its coach's challenge for the play, but the goal was allowed to stand. The NHL then issued a statement during the third period that the goal should not have been allowed.<ref name="First goal" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Arun |title=NHL reveals Devils' 1st goal vs. Wild should've been disallowed |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-reveals-devils-1st-goal-vs-wild-shouldve-been-disallowed-033205175.html |website=ca.sports.yahoo.com |accessdate=6 January 2020 |date=26 November 2019}}</ref>

On 22 July 2022, Boqvist agreed to his qualifying offer with the Devils, re-signing to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/boqvist-accepts-qualifying-offer--release/c-335067002 | title = Boqvist accepts qualifying offer | publisher = New Jersey Devils | date = 22 July 2022 | accessdate = 22 July 2022}}</ref> He made a career high 70 appearances for the Devils and matched his previous season tally of 10 goals while adding 21 points to help the Devils return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

===Boston Bruins=== In the following off-season, Boqvist was not tendered a qualifying offer to remain with the Devils, releasing him as a free agent. On 12 July 2023, Boqvist agreed to a one-year, one-way $775,000 contract with the Boston Bruins for the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-sign-jesper-boqvist-to-one-year-contract/c-345321426 | title = Bruins sign Jesper Boqvist to one-year contract | publisher = Boston Bruins | date = 12 July 2023 | accessdate = 12 July 2023}}</ref>

Boqvist did not make the NHL Bruins out of the pre-season, instead being placed on waivers with the intent of being assigned to the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-07 |title=Bruins put Jakub Zboril, Oskar Steen and Jesper Boqvist on waivers |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/10/07/bruins-make-three-more-cuts/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Boston Herald}}</ref> He cleared waivers and started the season on Providence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruins |first=Providence |title=PROVIDENCE BRUINS ANNOUNCE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER |url=https://www.providencebruins.com/news/detail/providence-bruins-announce-opening-night-roster |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.providencebruins.com}}</ref> Boqvist was recalled to the NHL team on 26 October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Jimmy |date=2023-10-26 |title=Mitchell Clears Waivers; Bruins Recall Boqvist |url=https://bostonhockeynow.com/2023/10/26/boston-bruins-mitchell-clears-waivers-bruins-recall-boqvist/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Boston Hockey Now}}</ref> He would play one game before being sent back to Providence. This occurred again on 12 December, where Boqvist was recalled, played one game, and then sent back down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Bruins Recall Jesper Boqvist from Providence |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-recall-jesper-boqvist |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.nhl.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-17 |title=Boston Bruins Reassign Jesper Boqvist |url=https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/12/boston-bruins-reassign-jesper-boqvist.html |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Pro Hockey Rumors}}</ref> He would be recalled a third time on 6 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-06 |title=Bruins Recall Jesper Boqvist, Assign Georgii Merkulov To AHL |url=https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/01/bruins-recall-jesper-boqvist-assign-georgii-merkulov-to-ahl.html |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Pro Hockey Rumors}}</ref> This time, however, he would stick with the big club, finding a comfortable role on Boston's fourth line with his speed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-22 |title=Bruins notebook: Jesper Boqvist catching on at last |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/01/22/bruins-notebook-jesper-boqvist-is-catching-on-at-last/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Boston Herald}}</ref> Boqvist scored his first as a Bruin on 9 January, against the Arizona Coyotes. Boqvist scored his first NHL playoff point in game 1 of the first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, an assist on a goal by John Beecher.

===Florida Panthers=== After one year with Boston, Boqvist was not given a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent on 1 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRosa |first=Michael |date=2024-06-30 |title=Bruins Do Not Qualify Jesper Boqvist & 2 Prospects |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/boston-bruins-let-forward-become-ufa |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=The Hockey News}}</ref> On that day, Boqvist signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with reigning champions, the Florida Panthers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Forward Jesper Boqvist on One-Year Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-agree-to-terms-with-forward-jesper-boqvist-on-one-year-contract |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=www.nhl.com}}</ref>

==Personal life== Boqvist's younger brother Adam Boqvist is a defenceman for the New York Islanders.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/265684/adam-boqvist | title = Adam Boqvist player profile | publisher = eliteprospects.com | date = 12 July 2023 | accessdate = 12 July 2023}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2014–15 | Brynäs IF | J20 | 7 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0 | 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2015–16 | Brynäs IF | J20 | 38 || 23 || 35 || 58 || 8 | 3 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 |- | 2015–16 | Brynäs IF | SHL | 8 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2 | 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Brynäs IF | J20 | 15 || 10 || 5 || 20 || 6 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2016–17 | Brynäs IF | SHL | 16 || 0 || 6 || 6 || 2 | 10 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016–17 | Timrå IK | Allsv | 19 || 3 || 9 || 12 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2017–18 | Brynäs IF | J20 | 4 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 | Brynäs IF | SHL | 23 || 3 || 10 || 13 || 2 | 8 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 4 |- | 2018–19 | Brynäs IF | SHL | 51 || 13 || 22 || 35 || 14 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 35 || 4 || 0 || 4 || 8 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2019–20 | Binghamton Devils | AHL | 19 || 8 || 3 || 11 || 12 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | Timrå IK | Allsv | 13 || 3 || 7 || 10 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2020–21 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 28 || 4 || 3 || 7 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | Binghamton Devils | AHL | 8 || 2 || 5 || 7 || 0 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2021–22 | Utica Comets | AHL | 7 || 2 || 6 || 8 || 2 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 56 || 10 || 13 || 23 || 10 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2022–23 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 70 || 10 || 11 || 21 || 2 | 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 31 || 10 || 13 || 23 || 10 | — || — || — || — || — |- | 2023–24 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 47 || 6 || 8 || 14 || 8 | 8 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024–25 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 78 || 12 || 11 || 23 || 14 | 13 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 0 |- | 2025–26 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 73 || 4 || 9 || 13 || 16 | — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|SHL totals ! 98 !! 16 !! 39 !! 55 !! 20 ! 20 !! 1 !! 1 !! 2 !! 4 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 387 !! 50 !! 55 !! 105 !! 60 ! 27 !! 2 !! 4 !! 6 !! 0 |} {{MedalTableTop|name=}} {{MedalCountry|{{ihj|SWE}}}} {{MedalSport|Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}} {{MedalSilver|2018 United States|}} {{MedalCompetition|IIHF World U18 Championship}} {{MedalSilver | 2016 United States | }} {{MedalBottom}}

===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |- | 2015 | Sweden | IH18 | {{silver2}} | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2016 | Sweden | U18 | {{silver2}} | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |- | 2018 | Sweden | WJC | {{silver2}} | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 18 ! 3 ! 2 ! 5 ! 8 |}

==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3" |NHL |- | Stanley Cup champion | 2025 | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Satriano |first1=David |title=How Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were built |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/how-2025-stanley-cup-champion-panthers-were-built |website=NHL.com |access-date=20 June 2025 |date=18 June 2025}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boqvist, Jesper}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:Binghamton Devils players Category:Boston Bruins players Category:Brynäs IF players Category:Florida Panthers players Category:New Jersey Devils draft picks Category:New Jersey Devils players Category:Providence Bruins players Category:Ice hockey people from Falun Category:Stanley Cup champions Category:Swedish ice hockey centres Category:21st-century Swedish sportsmen Category:Timrå IK players Category:Utica Comets players