7 Facts: Simon Holmstrom

Simon Holmstrom made his NHL debut on Nov. 23 and has been soaking up the experience with the Islanders. He's been a part of the organization since 2019, so he's a familiar face, but get to know the newest Islander in this edition of 7 Facts.

2. HE PLAYED IN THE AHL AS AN 18-YEAR-OLD

After being taken by the Islanders in the first round of the 2019 Draft, Holmstrom immediately came stateside, suiting up for the (then) Bridgeport Sound Tigers as an 18-year-old. Because Holmstrom was drafted out of Sweden, and not the Canadian junior leagues, he was able to play in the AHL as an 18-year-old.

3. HE WAS THE YOUNGEST PLAYER IN SOUND TIGERS HISTORY

Holmstrom holds the distinction of being the youngest player in Bridgeport history. To help ease his transition, Holmstrom lived with veterans John Stevens and Parker Wotherspoon to start his AHL/North American career.

4. HIS AHL NUMBERS

Since coming over as an 18-year-old, Holmstrom has spent parts of four seasons in the American League. Over that span he's racked up 70 points (27G, 43A) in 153 games. He posted a career-best 43 points (12G, 31A) in 68 games last season, setting career-highs across the board. The 68 games were also the most AHL games he'd played in a season, as both his rookie and sophomore campaigns were COVID-shortened seasons.

5. HE GREW UP IN THE HV71 SYSTEM

Holmstrom spent four years in the HV71 system, skating with the U16, J18 and J20 clubs in Sweden's junior leagues. He also played a pair of games with HV71's SHL club, but spent the majority of his draft year in the J20 SuperElit league.
With the AHL on hiatus during part of the 2020-21 season, Holmstrom went back to Sweden, but suited up for HC Vita Hasten in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second tier of pro hockey.

6. HE RECORDED HIS FIRST NHL POINT VS COLUMBUS

Holmstrom's first NHL point came in his second NHL game, as he picked up a secondary assist on Oliver Wahlstrom's first period goal against Columbus. Holmstrom made a nifty play along the wall in the defensive zone, staying poised despite some oncoming pressure and banking the puck to Mathew Barzal.

7. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Holmstrom represented Sweden in the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships, recording five assists over five games. The Tranås native also won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2019 U18 World Championships, recording six points (3G, 3A) in seven