Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Nils Höglander is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on December 20, 2000, in Bockträsk, Sweden, Höglander is known for his speed, creativity, and energetic playing style.
Beyond his professional hockey career, Höglander comes from a close-knit Swedish family that has experienced both remarkable achievements and heartbreaking tragedy. His parents, Anders and Maria Höglander, supported his development from childhood, while his older sister, Tilda Höglander, was one of his earliest hockey partners and greatest inspirations.
Although Höglander has spoken openly about his family background and the loss of his sister, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships and personal life.
Nils Höglander’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating or Married?
Nils Höglander has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or wife. There is no reliable public announcement establishing whether the Swedish NHL forward is currently dating, engaged, or married.
Throughout his professional career, Höglander has generally focused his interviews on hockey, his upbringing in northern Sweden, and his family’s support.
His official NHL biographies and major sports interviews have not identified a romantic partner.
During his early NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, Höglander lived independently in Vancouver and maintained regular communication with relatives and friends in Sweden.
In a March 2021 interview with Sportsnet, he explained that he regularly spoke with family members through video calls while adjusting to life in North America.
He also described spending his free time playing video games, exploring Vancouver, and communicating with friends.
However, these details do not establish his current relationship status.
Until Höglander publicly confirms a relationship or marriage, identifying a particular girlfriend or wife would be speculative.
Nils Höglander’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Nils Höglander has children.
The Swedish hockey player has not made a verified public announcement regarding the birth of a son or daughter.
His official player profiles and interviews with major hockey publications do not identify any children.
Although Höglander has frequently discussed his parents and late sister, he has not shared reliable public information establishing that he is a father.
Therefore, his parental status should be described as having no publicly confirmed children rather than definitively stating that he has no children.
Nils Höglander’s Parents
Nils Höglander was born to Anders Höglander and Maria Höglander in Sweden.
His parents raised their children in Bockträsk, a small village in northern Sweden, where outdoor sports and winter activities were an important part of family life.
Both parents made considerable sacrifices to support Nils and his older sister Tilda as they pursued competitive hockey and skiing.
Their identities and family background were confirmed in a January 2020 interview with Hockeysverige, in which Anders and Maria discussed their children’s childhood and the challenges their family had experienced.
Nils Höglander’s Father: Anders Höglander
Nils Höglander’s father is Anders Höglander, a Swedish professional test driver who has worked with automotive manufacturers.
According to a March 2021 Sportsnet interview, Anders worked as a test driver for car companies, a profession that involves evaluating vehicles under different driving conditions.
Anders grew up in Bockträsk, a small community surrounded by forests and lakes in northern Sweden.
In a January 2020 interview with Hockeysverige, he explained that approximately 50 to 60 people had lived in the village during his childhood.
By the time Nils began attracting international attention, the local population had declined to approximately 20 residents.
Despite the village’s small size, Anders believed that the surrounding environment offered valuable opportunities for outdoor activities.
These included cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowmobiling, and ice hockey.
How Anders Höglander Influenced His Son’s Hockey Career
Anders played an important role in helping Nils develop his passion for ice hockey.
Although Anders was not a professional hockey player, he became involved in coaching during his children’s early hockey years.
In a December 2016 interview with Hockeysverige, Nils explained that his father had coached youth hockey with Malå IF.
Anders also helped transport Nils and Tilda to practices and competitions.
Because Bockträsk was located far from major hockey training facilities, the family frequently traveled long distances to access better opportunities.
In the January 2020 Hockeysverige interview, Anders recalled how much time the family spent driving between sporting events.
Nils and Tilda competed in both skiing and hockey, sometimes attending separate competitions on the same day.
Anders explained that the family occasionally had to leave a skiing event immediately after the children received their awards so they could reach a hockey game.
The commitment demonstrated the importance of sports in their household.
As Nils became more serious about hockey, Anders and Maria supported moves to communities with stronger youth programs.
The family eventually relocated to Arvidsjaur and later Skellefteå to provide their children with improved sporting opportunities.
These decisions played an important role in Nils’s development as a professional hockey player.
Nils Höglander’s Mother: Maria Höglander
Nils Höglander’s mother is Maria Höglander, a Swedish teacher who has supported her son’s hockey career since childhood.
According to Sportsnet, Maria worked in education while raising her children.
She originally came from the Älvsbyn area of northern Sweden, near Luleå.
After meeting Anders, she eventually moved to his hometown of Bockträsk, where they established their family.
Maria played an important role in organizing the children’s activities and supporting their sporting ambitions.
Like Anders, she regularly transported Nils and Tilda to training sessions and competitions.
Both children participated in skiing and hockey from an early age, creating a demanding family schedule.
Maria Höglander’s Support During Nils’s Youth Career
Maria continued supporting Nils as his hockey opportunities expanded beyond their hometown.
In a 2017 interview with Aftonbladet, Nils revealed that his mother had relocated with him to Stockholm after he was accepted into a hockey-focused educational program associated with AIK.
The move allowed him to attend school while pursuing competitive junior hockey.
Maria’s willingness to relocate demonstrated the family’s commitment to helping Nils achieve his goals.
During that period, Nils progressed quickly through AIK’s youth system and eventually earned opportunities with the senior team.
Maria and Anders continued following his progress as he moved between Swedish hockey organizations.
They also supported his transition to professional hockey in the Swedish Hockey League and subsequently the NHL.
How Nils Höglander’s Parents Supported Him After Family Tragedy
One of the most difficult periods in the Höglander family’s history occurred in 2012, when Nils’s older sister, Tilda, died unexpectedly.
Anders and Maria later discussed the tragedy during interviews with Hockeysverige.
They explained that the family continued remembering Tilda and speaking about her regularly.
The experience changed their perspective on life and strengthened their appreciation for family relationships.
They also encouraged Nils to continue pursuing hockey, a sport he had shared with his sister since early childhood.
Their emotional support helped him continue developing his abilities during a particularly difficult period.
Nils Höglander’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Nils Höglander had an older sister named Tilda Höglander, who died in 2012 at the age of 13.
Tilda was approximately two years older than Nils and played a significant role in his childhood.
The siblings grew up together in Bockträsk, where they shared a strong interest in hockey, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
Her identity and their close relationship have been documented in interviews published by Hockeysverige, Aftonbladet, and the Swedish Hockey League.
No additional brothers or sisters have been reliably identified in major public hockey sources.
1. Tilda Höglander – Nils Höglander’s Older Sister
Tilda Höglander was the older sister of NHL forward Nils Höglander.
She was born in 1998 and grew up in the small Swedish village of Bockträsk alongside her younger brother.
Like Nils, Tilda developed a passion for ice hockey at an early age.
The siblings began skating on the frozen Lake Bockträsket near their family home.
Because there were very few children living in their village, Nils and Tilda frequently spent time playing sports together.
In a November 2019 interview with the Swedish Hockey League, Nils explained that he and his sister were among the only young people in their community who regularly played hockey.
The experience helped them develop an especially close relationship.
Tilda was also an accomplished young athlete who participated in competitive skiing.
According to their parents, both children frequently won prizes at skiing competitions before traveling to hockey games.
Tilda Höglander’s Hockey Career
Tilda pursued competitive hockey through several youth organizations in northern Sweden.
She initially played with Malå IF, where Nils also began developing his skills.
The family later moved to Arvidsjaur and Skellefteå to provide the children with better sporting opportunities.
Tilda subsequently joined Clemensnäs HC, where she played with both female and male hockey teams.
According to a January 2020 Hockeysverige interview with her parents, Tilda competed with the club’s women’s team and also played alongside boys born in 1998.
Anders and Maria described her as a talented player who demonstrated considerable dedication to hockey.
Her passion for the sport also influenced Nils, who frequently followed her to training sessions and games.
What Happened to Nils Höglander’s Sister?
Tragically, Tilda Höglander died in the spring of 2012 at just 13 years old.
According to Swedish media reports, she suffered a sudden rupture of her aorta, the body’s main artery.
The medical emergency occurred while the family was living in the Skellefteå area.
Tilda was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save her life.
Nils was only 11 years old when his sister died.
In a December 2016 interview with Hockeysverige, he recalled how difficult it was to return to hockey following her death.
Because they had played together for years, the loss affected both his personal life and his relationship with the sport.
Several of his teammates also knew Tilda, making the tragedy particularly difficult for the local hockey community.
How Tilda’s Death Influenced Nils Höglander’s Life
Nils has spoken publicly about his sister’s influence and the lasting impact of her death.
In a 2019 interview with the Swedish Hockey League, he explained that losing Tilda was an important part of his childhood experience.
Although discussing the tragedy was initially painful, he gradually became more comfortable sharing memories of her.
In January 2020, his parents told Hockeysverige that Nils had expressed his determination to continue playing hockey in honor of both himself and his sister.
The family continued remembering Tilda and speaking about her as an important part of their lives.
In an Aftonbladet interview, Nils explained that he continued thinking about his sister even years after her death.
Her memory has remained closely connected to his personal story and his development as a hockey player.
Nils Höglander’s Family Background and Childhood
Nils Höglander grew up in Bockträsk, a small community in northern Sweden approximately 30 kilometers from Malå.
The village’s natural surroundings provided opportunities for outdoor sports, including skiing and skating.
Nils began learning to skate at approximately two and a half years old.
He subsequently joined Malå IF, where he began playing organized youth hockey.
His parents supported both Nils and Tilda as they participated in local competitions.
As the siblings developed their skills, the family moved between several communities to access stronger hockey programs.
After Tilda’s death, Nils continued playing hockey and eventually joined AIK in Stockholm.
He later represented Timrå IK and Rögle BK, where he established himself as one of Sweden’s promising young forwards.
In June 2019, the Vancouver Canucks selected him 40th overall in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.
He also represented Sweden internationally, winning bronze medals at the 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Championship and the 2020 World Junior Championship.
Höglander made his NHL debut with Vancouver on January 13, 2021, against the Edmonton Oilers.
He scored his first NHL goal during the same game.
During the 2023–24 season, he scored a career-high 24 goals and established himself as an important contributor for the Canucks.
On June 29, 2026, the Nashville Predators acquired Höglander from Vancouver in exchange for a third-round selection in the 2029 NHL Entry Draft.
The move marked another chapter in his professional hockey career.
Throughout his journey, Höglander has remained connected to his Swedish roots and the family members who supported him from childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nils Höglander’s Family
Who is Nils Höglander’s girlfriend?
Nils Höglander has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend through reliable sports media sources. His current romantic relationship status remains private.
Is Nils Höglander married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Nils Höglander is married or has a wife.
Does Nils Höglander have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that Nils Höglander has a son or daughter.
Who is Nils Höglander’s father?
His father is Anders Höglander, a Swedish professional test driver who has worked with automotive manufacturers and helped coach his son’s youth hockey teams.
Who is Nils Höglander’s mother?
His mother is Maria Höglander, a Swedish teacher who supported his hockey development and relocated with him to Stockholm during his youth career.
Does Nils Höglander have siblings?
Yes. Nils Höglander had an older sister named Tilda Höglander, who died in 2012 at the age of 13.
What happened to Nils Höglander’s sister?
His older sister, Tilda Höglander, died in the spring of 2012 after suffering a sudden rupture of her aorta. She was 13 years old.
Did Nils Höglander’s sister play hockey?
Yes. Tilda played competitive youth hockey in Sweden, including with Malå IF and Clemensnäs HC. She was an important influence on Nils’s early interest in the sport.
Does Nils Höglander have a brother?
No brothers have been publicly confirmed in reliable family biographies of the NHL forward.
Where is Nils Höglander’s family from?
Nils Höglander’s family is from northern Sweden. His father grew up in Bockträsk, while his mother originally came from the Älvsbyn area.
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.
