Last Updated on November 9, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Mattias Ekholm is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 24, 1990, in Borlänge, Sweden, he grew up in the Dalarna region, where he developed his passion for ice hockey.
Mattias Ekholm is married to Swedish journalist and television presenter Ida Björnstad, also known as Ida Ekholm Björnstad. The couple has three children: William, Mya, and Leon.
His mother is Christina Ekholm, and Olle Rosén is the father figure who helped raise him. He also has a younger half-brother named Markus Ekholm Rosén, who pursued a competitive ice hockey career as a goaltender.
Although Ekholm has spent much of his professional career in North America, his family maintains strong connections to Sweden.
Mattias Ekholm’s Wife: Who Is Ida Björnstad?
Mattias Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad, a Swedish journalist, television presenter, writer, and former sports broadcaster.
Ida grew up in northern Sweden, in the Västerbotten region, and developed an interest in sports and journalism during her early years.
She earned a university degree in media and established a professional career in Swedish radio and television.
Her broadcasting experience includes working for Sveriges Radio, TV4, and C More, where she covered ice hockey and other sporting events.
Ida became particularly well known among Swedish hockey fans for presenting and reporting on HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden’s second-highest professional ice hockey league.
She was already an established sports journalist when she began dating Mattias Ekholm during his years with the Nashville Predators.
In January 2019, the Nashville Predators published an article identifying Ida as Ekholm’s fiancée and announcing her new podcast project.
Alongside Julie Turris, the wife of former NHL forward Kyle Turris, Ida launched a podcast called Off Ice with Ida & Julie.
The program focused on the experiences of NHL players’ wives and partners, providing insight into family life behind professional hockey.
When Did Mattias Ekholm and Ida Björnstad Get Married?
Mattias Ekholm and Ida Björnstad officially married during the summer of 2020.
Because their wedding took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions prevented them from organizing the larger celebration they had originally planned.
The couple subsequently decided to hold another wedding ceremony in Sweden.
In July 2022, they celebrated their marriage again in Stensele, a small community near Storuman in northern Sweden.
The second wedding allowed them to celebrate with more relatives and friends after the restrictions associated with the pandemic had eased.
According to Swedish publications Aftonbladet and ELLE, the couple adopted the shared family surname Ekholm Björnstad.
Their wedding celebrations attracted attention in Sweden because both Mattias and Ida were established public figures in hockey and sports journalism.
Ida Björnstad’s Career and Charitable Activities
Beyond her marriage to an NHL player, Ida Björnstad has established an independent professional career.
She has worked as a sports presenter, reporter, journalist, and author.
According to her official Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation biography, she has written two children’s books focused on hockey.
Ida has also supported initiatives designed to encourage children to participate in sports and reduce the pressure placed on young athletes.
In a 2018 interview with Hockeysverige, she and Mattias discussed the importance of allowing children to enjoy sports without excessive expectations from parents.
Both emphasized that participation in sports should encourage enjoyment, friendship, and personal development rather than focusing exclusively on results.
Ida later became a director of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, contributing to charitable programs supporting young people and local communities.
She has also spoken positively about living in Edmonton, particularly the opportunities for children to participate in outdoor activities during winter.
Mattias Ekholm’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Mattias Ekholm and his wife, Ida Björnstad, have three children: two sons named William and Leon and a daughter named Mya.
Their first two children were born in Nashville, Tennessee, while their youngest son was born in Edmonton, Alberta.
Ekholm has frequently discussed the importance of balancing professional hockey with his responsibilities as a father.
William Ekholm Björnstad: Mattias Ekholm’s First Son
William Ekholm Björnstad is the eldest child of Mattias Ekholm and Ida Björnstad.
He was born on March 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee, while his father was playing for the Nashville Predators.
William’s arrival marked an important milestone for the couple, who were engaged at the time.
According to Aftonbladet, Mattias was concerned that he might miss his son’s birth because the Predators had several upcoming road games.
Fortunately, he returned home from a road trip shortly before Ida went into labor.
He was present when William was born and publicly expressed his happiness about becoming a father.
In a 2020 interview with Hockeysverige, Ekholm discussed how raising William had changed the family’s lifestyle in Nashville.
He explained that he and Ida had moved into a family-friendly neighborhood where their son could participate in activities with other children.
William also developed an early interest in hockey.
During the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic in Edmonton, Ekholm revealed that his eldest son enjoyed skating and wanted to become a goaltender.
Mattias explained that he encouraged William to enjoy the sport rather than placing pressure on him to follow a particular career path.
Mya Ekholm Björnstad: Mattias Ekholm’s Daughter
Mya Ekholm Björnstad is the second child and only publicly documented daughter of Mattias and Ida.
She was born in February 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Her arrival was announced by her parents through social media and subsequently reported by Swedish newspapers, including Aftonbladet.
Mattias missed a Nashville Predators game against the Tampa Bay Lightning around the time of her birth.
The Predators confirmed that his absence was related to the arrival of the family’s second child.
Ida celebrated the birth on Instagram, expressing happiness and gratitude as the family expanded to four members.
In October 2023, Mya participated in the Edmonton Oilers’ Heritage Classic celebrations alongside her father and older brother.
Mattias described carrying his young daughter around during the outdoor event, explaining that she was excited about the experience.
The occasion provided a special family memory as the Oilers prepared to face the Calgary Flames at Commonwealth Stadium.
Leon Ekholm Björnstad: Mattias Ekholm’s Youngest Son
Leon Ekholm Björnstad is the youngest child of Mattias Ekholm and Ida Björnstad.
He was born in July 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The couple announced his arrival on July 26, 2023, approximately one week after his birth.
According to Daily Hive Edmonton, Ida shared the announcement on Instagram, revealing her newborn son’s name and celebrating the arrival of their third child.
The name Leon attracted considerable attention among Edmonton Oilers fans because it is also the first name of Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl.
The team’s official Instagram account congratulated the family and expressed appreciation for the baby’s name.
Leon was born only a few months after the Ekholm family relocated from Nashville to Edmonton following Mattias’s trade to the Oilers.
His arrival made Edmonton particularly meaningful for the family because it became the birthplace of their youngest child.
In interviews, Ekholm has explained that being a father of three requires careful planning because of the travel demands associated with professional hockey.
He has emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his children whenever he is home.
Mattias Ekholm’s Parents
Mattias Ekholm grew up in Vikarbyn, a village near Rättvik in the Swedish province of Dalarna.
His mother is Christina Ekholm, while Olle Rosén is the father figure who helped raise him.
The family encouraged his interest in hockey without placing excessive pressure on him to become a professional athlete.
Mattias Ekholm’s Father: Olle Rosén
Olle Rosén is the father figure Mattias Ekholm and his younger half-brother Markus Ekholm Rosén recognize as their shared father.
In a June 2020 interview with Hockeysverige, Markus explained that he and Mattias have different biological fathers but grew up considering Olle their common father.
Olle is Markus’s biological father and an important paternal figure in Mattias’s upbringing.
According to a March 2023 Sportsnet article, Olle worked as an electrician.
Although he did not play professional ice hockey, he maintained a strong interest in the sport.
Markus explained that Olle had played football as a goalkeeper during his younger years and was a longtime supporter of Swedish hockey club Brynäs IF.
His enthusiasm for hockey helped create a supportive sporting environment for the boys.
Growing up in Dalarna, Mattias developed his hockey skills through local youth organizations before joining Mora IK.
Olle supported both boys as they pursued different positions in the sport.
Mattias became a defenseman, while Markus developed into a goaltender.
Although the brothers followed different career paths, they shared the same family encouragement throughout childhood.
The identity of Mattias Ekholm’s biological father has not been reliably established in the available public reporting.
Mattias Ekholm’s Mother: Christina Ekholm
Christina Ekholm is Mattias Ekholm’s mother and another important figure in his upbringing.
She raised Mattias and his younger half-brother Markus in Sweden’s Dalarna region.
According to Sportsnet, Christina worked as a school lunch cook during Mattias’s childhood.
Her identity is also confirmed by Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, which interviewed her during the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
At the time, Mattias was playing for the Nashville Predators against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Christina was living in Borlänge, Sweden, and regularly stayed awake during the night to watch her son compete because of the time difference between Sweden and North America.
Speaking to Sveriges Radio on May 29, 2017, she explained that the playoff experience was exciting but physically exhausting because the games took place during the night in Sweden.
She expressed pride in Nashville’s progress to the championship series while acknowledging that the final would be challenging.
Christina has remained connected to her son’s hockey career despite the geographical distance.
Her involvement demonstrates the importance of family support throughout his journey from Swedish junior hockey to the NHL.
Mattias Ekholm’s Siblings
Mattias Ekholm has a publicly confirmed younger half-brother named Markus Ekholm Rosén.
Markus is also an ice hockey player and has competed professionally in Sweden’s lower national leagues.
Some secondary online biographies additionally mention a sister named Amanda. However, that relationship has not been independently confirmed by reliable Swedish sporting publications or official hockey biographies.
Markus Ekholm Rosén: Mattias Ekholm’s Younger Half-Brother
Markus Ekholm Rosén was born on January 18, 1997, in Vikarbyn, Sweden.
He is approximately seven years younger than Mattias and plays ice hockey as a goaltender.
Markus developed his abilities through IFK Ore’s youth hockey system before representing other Swedish organizations.
His career has included time with Mora IK’s junior teams, Borlänge HF, Kiruna AIF, Surahammars IF, Enköpings SK, and other clubs in the Swedish hockey system.
Although Markus did not pursue the same NHL career as Mattias, he continued playing competitive hockey in Sweden.
In June 2022, Hockeyettan announced that Markus had joined Enköpings SK following a successful season with Surahammar.
The publication identified him as the younger brother of NHL defenseman Mattias Ekholm.
How Mattias Ekholm Influenced His Brother Markus
Mattias played an important role in encouraging Markus’s interest in ice hockey.
In a June 2020 interview with Hockeysverige, Markus explained that he frequently accompanied his older brother to hockey tournaments and watched him progress through junior and professional competition.
Those experiences helped Markus decide that he wanted to pursue hockey rather than concentrate on football.
Although the brothers played different positions, Mattias served as an example of the commitment required to advance in competitive sports.
Markus also discussed the challenges he experienced during his hockey development.
Repeated knee injuries interrupted his career and required extensive rehabilitation.
At one point, he seriously considered retiring from hockey because of the recurring injuries.
However, conversations with his parents and Mattias helped him evaluate his options.
Markus explained that Mattias encouraged him to think carefully before making a final decision about leaving the sport.
He eventually continued playing, finding renewed enjoyment in hockey after recovering.
The experience demonstrated the supportive relationship between the brothers, despite their different professional achievements.
Does Mattias Ekholm Have a Sister?
Some online biographies identify a woman named Amanda as Mattias Ekholm’s sister.
However, reliable Swedish hockey reporting reviewed for this profile confirms his younger half-brother Markus but does not independently establish Amanda’s identity or relationship to him.
For that reason, the existence of a sister named Amanda should be considered unverified rather than presented as a confirmed family fact.
Mattias Ekholm’s Family Life in Edmonton
Mattias Ekholm and his family moved to Edmonton in February 2023 after the Nashville Predators traded him to the Edmonton Oilers.
The move was particularly significant because Mattias had spent approximately a decade living in Nashville.
During those years, he had met Ida, established their relationship, married, and welcomed their first two children.
When the trade occurred, Ida was pregnant with their third child.
The family faced the challenge of relocating from Tennessee to Alberta while preparing for the arrival of another baby.
In a 2024 interview with Hockeysverige, Ekholm explained that Ida’s parents happened to be visiting Nashville when the trade occurred.
They stayed behind to help organize and clean the family’s home while arrangements were made for the move to Canada.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, the Ekholms gradually established a comfortable life in Edmonton.
The couple purchased a home and became involved in the local community.
Their children began attending school and participating in recreational activities, including skating and skiing.
In October 2025, Ekholm signed a three-year contract extension with the Oilers.
Speaking to EdmontonOilers.com after signing the deal, he explained that his family’s happiness in Edmonton played an important role in his decision to remain with the organization.
He emphasized that his wife and children enjoyed living in the city and that Edmonton had become an important part of their family life.
The couple also maintains connections to Sweden. In a 2026 interview with Finnish publication Maaseudun Tulevaisuus, Ekholm discussed plans for the family to settle in Sweden after his NHL career.
According to the report, they were building a house in Umeå, where Ida has family connections, while also planning to spend time in Dalarna.
Mattias Ekholm’s Family Background and Early Life
Mattias Ekholm was born on May 24, 1990, in Borlänge, Sweden, and grew up in nearby Vikarbyn.
He developed an interest in ice hockey during childhood and began playing through the IFK Ore youth organization.
His family supported his participation in the sport without expecting him to become a professional player.
In a 2018 interview with Hockeysverige, Ekholm explained that his parents never placed significant pressure on him to achieve particular results.
He believed that growing up without excessive expectations allowed him to enjoy hockey and develop naturally.
After progressing through the youth system, he joined Mora IK, where he began establishing himself as a promising defenseman.
In June 2009, the Nashville Predators selected Ekholm 102nd overall in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft.
He subsequently played for Brynäs IF and helped the organization win the Swedish championship in 2012.
Ekholm eventually established himself with Nashville, developing into one of the team’s leading defensemen.
He helped the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, although Nashville lost the championship series to Pittsburgh.
After joining Edmonton in 2023, Ekholm became an important member of the Oilers’ defense and formed a productive partnership with Evan Bouchard.
He helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025.
Despite spending much of his adult life in North America, Ekholm has continued maintaining close relationships with relatives in Sweden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattias Ekholm’s Family
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s wife?
Mattias Ekholm is married to Ida Björnstad, a Swedish journalist, television presenter, and author. They first married in 2020 and held another wedding celebration in July 2022.
Does Mattias Ekholm have a girlfriend?
Mattias Ekholm is married. His longtime girlfriend, Ida Björnstad, became his wife in 2020.
How many children does Mattias Ekholm have?
Mattias Ekholm has three children with his wife Ida: William, Mya, and Leon.
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s oldest child?
His oldest child is William Ekholm Björnstad, who was born on March 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s daughter?
His daughter is Mya Ekholm Björnstad, who was born in February 2021 in Nashville.
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s youngest son?
His youngest son is Leon Ekholm Björnstad, who was born in July 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Who are Mattias Ekholm’s parents?
His mother is Christina Ekholm, and Olle Rosén is the father figure who raised him. The identity of his biological father has not been reliably established in public reporting.
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s mother?
Mattias Ekholm’s mother is Christina Ekholm. She previously worked as a school lunch cook and has supported her son’s hockey career from Sweden.
Who is Mattias Ekholm’s father?
Olle Rosén is the father figure recognized by Mattias and his younger half-brother Markus. Olle worked as an electrician and is Markus’s biological father.
Does Mattias Ekholm have a brother?
Yes. Mattias Ekholm has a younger half-brother named Markus Ekholm Rosén, a Swedish ice hockey goaltender.
Does Mattias Ekholm have a sister?
Some online biographies mention a possible sister named Amanda, but her relationship to Mattias has not been independently confirmed through reliable reporting.
How many siblings does Mattias Ekholm have?
Mattias Ekholm has one reliably documented sibling, his younger half-brother Markus Ekholm Rosén. Additional sibling information remains unverified.
Did Mattias Ekholm’s brother play professional hockey?
Yes. Markus Ekholm Rosén played as a goaltender for several Swedish hockey organizations, including Kiruna AIF, Surahammars IF, and Enköpings SK.
Where does Mattias Ekholm live with his family?
Mattias Ekholm and his wife have established their family home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, while maintaining close connections to Sweden.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
