Filip Ekberg, the Swedish hockey player recognized for his impressive performances in international competitions, transitioned to the OHL for the 2024-2025 season. This is a look at his profile as the 2025 Draft approaches.

Filip Ekberg,a 5’10,168-pound left winger,has a reputation as a playmaker. The Swede delivered a sensational performance at the recent U18 tournament. Similar to his teammate Sascha Boumedienne, the April-born forward solidified certain aspects of his game during his international experience-but did he demonstrate enough in the OHL?

The central question now revolves around assessing Ekberg’s raw talent against his capacity to effectively transition it to professional hockey. During his 17-year-old season with the Ottawa 67’s, the forward accumulated 45 points in 53 games. This marked his inaugural season on North American ice. Having previously played in HockeyAllsvenskan and the J20 during his 16-year-old season, Ekberg faced the challenge of adapting to the OHL’s distinct style this year. Currently, most rankings position Ekberg outside the top 50 prospects. Within the scouting circles,Filip Ekberg is not expected to be ranked this season. NHL Central Scouting even places Ekberg at 178th among North American skaters. Will he be drafted at all?

2025 TSLH Hopes Guide

«When you see this kid on the ice, it’s not uncommon for him to be the one who impresses with a deke, a risky pass, or a precise shot over the shoulder.»

«When you see this kid on the ice, it’s not uncommon for him to be the one who impresses with a deke, a risky pass, or a precise shot over the shoulder. however, when you dig a little deeper into the analysis, weaknesses start to appear one by one that make us hesitate. That’s the internal debate I have with Filip Ekberg. The kid is overflowing with talent, but questions start to arise about whether he can adopt the same style in North American professional hockey. Not to mention his size, which isn’t a positive factor, the swede isn’t necessarily consistent. the prospect can dictate the pace with the puck thanks to his above-average skating and vision, allowing him to break down a defense with ease.

He can also show an unrelenting motor in defensive situations to shut down opponents or anticipate their plays effectively. Unfortunately, there are stretches where the kid is invisible, even at the junior level. His actions lean toward the perimeter, he loses battles, and doesn’t respond properly to his assignments. I simply believe this is part of the learning curve. At higher levels, talent isn’t enough. It’s work ethic that makes the difference, nonetheless of the individual. The prospect is probably realizing that,and it impacts his consistency during games. There’s one thing not to forget about him. Dave Cameron was his coach all season-and he’s not exactly known for… well. It’s not an ideal mix.»
– Pascal Lapointe via the 2025 TSLH espoirs Guide

*Note: The 2025 TSLH Espoirs Guide will be available to everyone for free during the week of June 23, 2025!*