Getting to Know Lars Eller

Following a whirlwind few weeks after being traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 1 via a trade with the Washington Capitals, forward Lars Eller shared how he's been settling into Denver and getting accustomed to his new team.

Prior to joining the Avalanche, the 33-year-old Rodovre, Denmark was previously the highest-drafted player from Denmark after being selected 13th overall by St. Louis at the 2007 NHL Draft until Arizona selected Mikkel Bødker eighth overall in the 2008 NHL Draft. Most recently, Eller spent the past seven seasons (2016-23) with the Capitals, where he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2018 and became the first-ever Danish-born player to do so. Prior to that, Eller played in Montreal from 2010-16.
Since joining the Avalanche, the left shot centerman has produced three points (2G, 1A) in 15 games. Malgin has now played in 946 career NHL contests between the Avalanche, Capitals, Canadiens and Blues, totaling 367 points (162G/205A).
How did you get into hockey/what was it like growing up in Denmark?
I grew up with three brothers (Two older brothers and one younger brother). My dad played hockey and then he coached. All of my brothers played hockey growing up so it was pretty natural for me. I pretty much grew up at the rink. I was on the ice as much as I could [be] and was on there every opportunity I had. If not, I was playing in my basement or on the street. In the summer I would play soccer. I really fell in love with the game early on. The NHL wasn't on the map growing up until I was about 17 or 18.
Before that, the best players I was just looking up to my brothers or those around me and they were just playing in the Danish league. Maybe the best players at the time were playing in Sweden or in Europe. I didn't have NHL on the map, but I just knew I wanted to be a hockey player. I just loved playing. I went to Sweden when I was 16 and played high school there. I played four years there, two years in the [SHL] and two years of school. After that I came over here. I played most of my first year in the AHL, then I got traded to Montreal my second year and played six years there, [I played] seven years in Washington and now, I'm here.
How proud are you to represent Denmark in the NHL?
I am very proud of my accomplishments as a player from a country that hasn't really historically produced a lot of NHL players. It wasn't really on the map. It just came up along the way, but I knew I loved playing. I loved the competitiveness and the speed of the game. I tried a lot of other sports. I liked tennis and golf too and even though it was always competitive, it was more relaxing. Hockey was always the fastest and most competitive sport. There was never any question that that was my favorite to play.
I don't get to spend too much time back home anymore. The last couple of years it's only been a week or two. But I try to show up and do some charity work around my hometown and with my home team.
What are your favorite sports outside of hockey?
Now, I love playing golf and tennis. Whatever I can play with my kids, soccer or basketball in the driveway, all of those kinds of things. I have a 10-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak three languages; Danish, Swedish and English
What does life after hockey look like?
I don't know I might need to take a year to feel it out and figure out what I want to do, but I know I am not going to be sitting on the couch and sleeping. I definitely want to find something that is fulfilling and is something that I want to do. What that is, I'm not sure. It could be something within hockey. That's probably the only place where you'd have a head start on a lot of people and can claim to know what you're talking about in a way. I don't think coaching. It could be something like working with young players, something like that. I don't have a plan yet. I think I have a direction, but I don't have something set in stone.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I've done a lot of angel investing the last couple of years in early startups; technology, pharma, stuff like that. Things that can help improve lives or save lives are what I've zoomed in on. It's been fun to be part of an early journey, follow the growth and try to help wherever I can using my network connections and voice. That's something I do a lot of on the side.
Why do you wear No. 20?
I had something else in Montreal (No. 81). I think I had 20 when I first came to North America when I was with the AHL team for the Blues so I don't know, I've just had it. I'm not a superstitious guy or anything like that, but I've just kept it for a while.
How has it been settling into Denver and playing with the Avalanche?
It's been awesome. It's been a packed arena every time. The fans - it's a loud building - they're into it. They're singing along with the song, it's been great. We have a great room here. I haven't seen too much of the city, but from what I've seen. It's a really cool spot, there's a lot of nature, mountains, clear blue sky days - I really like that. I hope we get to experience a little more of the city in the coming weeks.