Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Emil Andrae is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 23, 2002, in Västervik, Sweden, Andrae grew up in a close-knit family that helped him develop his passion for hockey.
His family includes his father, Per Andrae, his mother, whose name has not been publicly verified, and his older brother, Carl Andrae, who also played competitive ice hockey in Sweden.
Although Andrae has spoken openly about his childhood and close relationship with his brother, he keeps his romantic life private. There is no reliable public confirmation that he is married or has children.
Emil Andrae’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
Emil Andrae has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend or being in a romantic relationship.
Despite gaining recognition through his professional hockey career in Sweden and North America, the defenseman has maintained a relatively private personal life.
His interviews with the Swedish Hockey League, NHL, and Philadelphia sports media have primarily focused on his development as a player, childhood experiences, and professional ambitions.
There are no reliable public reports identifying a current girlfriend or romantic partner.
In May 2026, an NHL interview featuring Andrae and fellow Swedish player Samuel Ersson included a discussion about Ersson’s girlfriend. However, that statement referred to Ersson, not Andrae, and should not be interpreted as confirmation of Andrae’s relationship status.
Consequently, Andrae’s current romantic relationship status remains unconfirmed. The absence of public information does not necessarily mean he is single.
Is Emil Andrae Married?
There is no verified public information indicating that Emil Andrae is married.
The Swedish hockey player has not publicly announced a wedding or engagement, and reliable sports publications have not identified a wife.
His public appearances and interviews generally concern his hockey career, family upbringing, and experiences adjusting to professional competition in North America.
Does Emil Andrae Have Children?
There is no verified public information confirming that Emil Andrae has children.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has not publicly announced becoming a father, and his official NHL and hockey biographies do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although Andrae occasionally shares stories about his parents, brother, and extended family, he has not publicly discussed raising children of his own.
Emil Andrae’s Parents
Emil Andrae grew up with his parents in Västervik, Sweden, a coastal town in Kalmar County.
His father is Per Andrae, while his mother’s full name has not been reliably established in major hockey publications.
Both parents encouraged Emil and his older brother, Carl, to pursue their interests in ice hockey.
In an interview published by the Swedish Hockey League on December 9, 2022, Andrae recalled playing street hockey outside the family’s home with Carl.
The brothers’ shared enthusiasm for the sport eventually helped Emil develop into one of Sweden’s promising young defensemen.
Emil Andrae’s Father: Per Andrae
Per Andrae is Emil Andrae’s father and an important figure in his hockey development.
Per raised Emil and Carl in Västervik, where both boys developed a strong interest in competitive sports.
His identity was publicly confirmed in an April 20, 2023, interview published by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
During the interview, Per discussed his younger son’s determination and the sacrifices Emil made while pursuing a professional hockey career.
He explained that Emil was willing to spend considerable time traveling between Västervik and Oskarshamn to attend practices and games.
As a teenager, Emil frequently traveled approximately one hour each way to train with IK Oskarshamn.
After school, he boarded a bus to attend practices before returning home late in the evening.
On weekends, Emil sometimes stayed at his older brother Carl’s apartment in Oskarshamn rather than traveling back to Västervik.
Per expressed admiration for his son’s commitment, explaining that Emil had always been determined to become a professional hockey player.
How Per Andrae Supported His Son’s Career
Per watched Emil develop from a young hockey enthusiast into an accomplished junior player.
He witnessed the competition between Emil and Carl and understood how their relationship encouraged both boys to improve.
In the 2023 Philadelphia Inquirer interview, Per also discussed the positive influence Carl had on Emil’s personality.
He explained that Carl regularly included his younger brother in activities with older friends and encouraged him to participate in sports.
According to Per, Emil developed a similar willingness to support others and make teammates feel included.
Those qualities later became important as Emil assumed leadership responsibilities with Swedish junior national teams.
Although Per has spoken publicly about his son’s childhood, reliable information about his occupation, age, and other personal details remains limited.
Emil Andrae’s Mother
Emil Andrae’s mother has also been an important part of his upbringing, although her full name has not been reliably identified through official hockey biographies.
She raised Emil and Carl alongside Per in Västervik.
The family provided an environment in which both brothers could pursue competitive ice hockey.
Andrae has occasionally mentioned his mother during interviews, often sharing humorous stories about his childhood.
In an October 28, 2022, interview published by the Swedish Hockey League, Andrae answered 20 questions about his interests, personality, and life outside hockey.
When discussing his personality, Emil jokingly suggested that his mother would probably describe him as lazy.
The lighthearted comment provided a rare public glimpse into his relationship with his mother.
Although she has remained largely outside the public spotlight, she was part of the family environment that supported Emil’s early hockey development.
Her professional occupation, age, and further personal background have not been widely documented.
Emil Andrae’s Siblings
Emil Andrae has one publicly documented sibling, his older brother Carl Andrae.
Carl is a former competitive hockey player who helped introduce Emil to the sport.
Their close relationship has been discussed in interviews with the Swedish Hockey League, local Swedish publications, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Carl Andrae: Emil Andrae’s Older Brother
Carl Andrae was born on November 26, 1999, in Västervik, Sweden.
He is approximately two years and three months older than Emil, who was born on February 23, 2002.
Carl developed an interest in hockey during childhood and began playing with Västerviks IK.
His younger brother admired him and frequently tried to participate in the same activities.
According to a December 2020 interview published by Vastervik.com, Emil began playing hockey when he was approximately four years old because Carl had started playing.
Emil described his older brother as one of his most important childhood role models.
Carl Andrae’s Hockey Career
Like Emil, Carl pursued competitive hockey through youth and junior programs in Sweden.
He played in the Västerviks IK development system before joining IK Oskarshamn’s junior program.
During the 2017–18 season, Carl was playing for Oskarshamn’s under-20 team while Emil was competing with the organization’s younger players.
Carl subsequently appeared for other Swedish hockey clubs, including Valdemarsviks IF.
According to Elite Prospects, Carl played as a winger and competed in Sweden’s lower divisions.
Although Carl did not establish the same NHL career as his younger brother, his experience helped Emil understand the demands of competitive hockey.
How Carl Andrae Inspired Emil’s Hockey Career
Carl played a central role in introducing Emil to hockey.
In a December 2022 Swedish Hockey League interview, Emil explained that he followed his older brother everywhere while growing up.
When Carl began playing hockey, Emil wanted to participate too.
The brothers frequently played street hockey outside their parents’ home in Västervik.
They also competed in everyday activities, creating a highly competitive environment.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the brothers sometimes raced to claim their favorite seat at the kitchen table or competed to use a prized yellow bicycle.
Carl described Emil as extremely competitive and someone who disliked losing, even in ordinary childhood activities.
These experiences helped shape Emil’s determination and competitive approach to hockey.
Carl Helped Emil During His Junior Hockey Development
When Emil joined IK Oskarshamn as a teenager, Carl was already playing for the club’s junior team.
The brothers consequently spent more time together while pursuing their hockey ambitions.
Emil traveled from Västervik to Oskarshamn after school for practices and games.
On some weekends, he stayed at Carl’s apartment rather than returning to his parents’ home.
Carl’s presence helped make the transition easier for Emil.
He also provided encouragement as his younger brother attracted attention from Sweden’s leading hockey development programs.
In an April 2023 interview, Carl expressed confidence in Emil’s abilities and praised his willingness to work hard to achieve his goals.
Does Emil Andrae Have a Sister?
There is no publicly verified information identifying a sister.
Reliable interviews consistently discuss Emil’s older brother, Carl, without naming additional siblings.
However, the available sources do not establish with certainty whether Emil has any other siblings who maintain private lives.
Emil Andrae’s Grandfather and Extended Family
Emil Andrae has also shared occasional memories involving his extended family.
In an October 2022 interview with the Swedish Hockey League, he recalled camping trips with his grandfather and cousins during childhood.
The family sometimes traveled by canoe between islands, combining paddling with short walks while transporting their equipment.
Andrae humorously explained that these trips were not always enjoyable because he experienced unpleasant reactions during some outdoor adventures.
Although he joked about disliking camping, the memories show that he spent time with extended family members outside hockey.
His grandfather’s name and further details about his cousins have not been publicly verified.
How Emil Andrae’s Family Supported His Hockey Career
Emil Andrae began his hockey journey in Västervik, Sweden, where he joined the Västerviks IK youth program at approximately four years old.
His older brother Carl helped introduce him to the sport, while his parents encouraged both boys to continue developing their skills.
As Emil became more competitive, he started playing against older opponents.
He later moved into the IK Oskarshamn development system, making his senior debut in HockeyAllsvenskan at just 15 years old.
His performances attracted attention from HV71, one of Sweden’s established professional hockey organizations.
He joined HV71’s junior program in 2018 and progressed to the senior team.
In the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Andrae in the second round, 54th overall.
The achievement marked an important milestone for the young defenseman and his family.
Andrae continued developing in Sweden and helped HV71 earn promotion back to the Swedish Hockey League during the 2021–22 season.
He also represented Sweden at international junior tournaments.
During the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, Andrae captained Sweden and helped the team win a bronze medal.
Following his success in Sweden, he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League in March 2023.
He subsequently signed a three-year entry-level contract with Philadelphia and made his NHL debut on October 14, 2023, against the Ottawa Senators.
During the 2024–25 season, he scored his first NHL goal and continued gaining experience with the Flyers.
Andrae appeared in a career-high 61 NHL regular-season games during the 2025–26 campaign.
On June 16, 2026, he was traded from Philadelphia to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal also involving Samuel Ersson, Joseph Woll, and Simon Benoit.
Toronto subsequently traded Andrae to the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 28, 2026, as part of a larger transaction involving Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, and Kirill Marchenko.
On November 5, 2026, Columbus assigned Andrae to its American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, after he cleared waivers.
His professional journey reflects years of commitment, supported by the family members who helped introduce him to hockey in Västervik.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emil Andrae’s Family
Who is Emil Andrae’s girlfriend?
Emil Andrae has not publicly identified a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Emil Andrae married?
There is no verified public information indicating that Emil Andrae is married or has a wife.
Does Emil Andrae have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed. Andrae has not publicly announced becoming a father.
Who are Emil Andrae’s parents?
Emil Andrae grew up with his parents in Västervik, Sweden. His father is Per Andrae, while his mother’s name has not been reliably established in public reporting.
Who is Emil Andrae’s father?
His father is Per Andrae, who discussed Emil’s childhood determination and hockey development in an April 2023 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Who is Emil Andrae’s mother?
Emil Andrae’s mother helped raise him and his older brother Carl in Västervik. Her full name has not been independently verified through reliable public sources.
Does Emil Andrae have siblings?
Yes. Emil Andrae has an older brother named Carl Andrae, who also played competitive ice hockey in Sweden.
Who is Carl Andrae?
Carl Andrae is Emil’s older brother, born on November 26, 1999, in Västervik. He played junior hockey with Västerviks IK and IK Oskarshamn and later competed in Sweden’s lower hockey divisions.
Is Carl Andrae related to Emil Andrae?
Yes. Carl Andrae is Emil Andrae’s older biological brother. Emil has repeatedly credited Carl with inspiring his interest in hockey.
Does Emil Andrae have a sister?
No sister has been publicly identified in reliable hockey interviews or player biographies.
Where is Emil Andrae’s family from?
The Andrae family is associated with Västervik, a coastal town in Kalmar County, Sweden, where Emil and Carl grew up.
How did Emil Andrae start playing hockey?
Emil began playing hockey at approximately four years old after following his older brother Carl into the sport. Both brothers developed their early skills in Västervik.
What NHL team does Emil Andrae play for?
Emil Andrae belongs to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. On November 5, 2026, he was assigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.
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.
