5 fun facts about Oilers’ new addition Viktor Arvidsson
2 days ago
The Edmonton Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth $4 million annually on the first day of free agency.
The 31-year-old only played in 18 games last season due to injury, but he has a history of finding the back of the net, scoring 52 times in 161 games with the Los Angeles Kings over the last three seasons. Also, Oilers’ fans got a good look at him in the playoffs over the last couple of postseasons, tallying ten points in 11 games against Edmonton.
The skilled and tenacious Arvidsson appears ready to play in the Oilers’ top six over the next two seasons, and with that in mind, here are five fun facts to get you acquainted with the new forward.
Arvidsson Won Back-to-Back SHL Championships
During the 2011-2012 season, Arvidsson played in the Swedish Junior League, tallying 42 points in 43 games and was named the Swedish Junior Player of the Year. The following season, he moved up to Skelleftea’s Swedish Elite League team for the 2012-2013 season, recording 12 points in 49 games, helping his team win the SHL championship.
Arvidsson had a notable jump in points the following season. He finished ninth in SHL scoring that year, recording 40 points in 50 games. Additionally, he tallied 16 points in 14 playoff games, ranking third among all players, as he helped his team win back-to-back SHL championships that year. Given his productive 2013-2014 season, it’s possible that his draft stock improved as the Nashville Predators selected him in the fourth round later that June.
Arvidsson Won Medals With Team Sweden on a Few Occasions
Arvidsson was born in Skelleftea, Sweden and has suited up for his country on numerous occasions. He won a bronze medal at the World U17 Hockey Challenge and another bronze medal at the Ivan Hlinka Cup in 2010, finishing fourth on the team with six points, behind former Oiler Oscar Klefbom’s seven points. Moreover, Arvidsson’s five goals tied Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the goal lead in that tournament.
He won silver medals at the IIHF U18 WJC in 2011 and also at the IIHF WJC in 2013, and helped his country win gold at the 2018 World Championships as well. Arvidsson mentioned a conversation with Mattias Ekholm that stated how he was instrumental in the semifinals of the 2018 World Championships, scoring the game-winning goal in a two-goal performance against the Americans to send Sweden to the finals, where they defeated Team Switzerland in a shootout to win the gold medal.
Arvidsson Is Already Friends With Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm
Drafted in the fourth round in 2014 by the Predators, Arvidsson joined his countryman Mattias Ekholm, who had been picked by the team five years earlier. The two formed a friendship, playing together for seven seasons in Nashville.
Arvidsson was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 2021 for a second and third-round draft pick. Upon his first return to Nashville as a member of the Kings, he was interviewed and said that Ekholm, who was still a member of the Predators at the time, was the player he was most looking forward to battling, saying:
“We’re good friends. It’ll be fun. I’ve never played him. And I know he likes to battle, too. Like me. We had our differences in practices sometimes.”
That said, Oilers fans saw the battle between the two Swedes last postseason as both Ekholm and Arvidsson had some good encounters along the boards in five postseason games. Yet, starting in the 2024-25 season, the pair will be reunited, with Ekholm influencing Arvidsson’s choice to join Edmonton, as the new Oiler said in an interview:
“I’ve known Ekky (Ekholm) for a long time and our families know each other well. And he convinced me pretty early, and I think that was a big part of it too, so I’m happy and our family is really happy to join the team.”
Arvidsson and Ekholm reached the Stanley Cup Final together in 2017 as members of the Predators, and the hope is that the pair of Swedes can repeat that feat next season, with the ultimate goal of winning a Cup.
Arvidsson Earned an Assist in a Marriage Proposal Before a Game
The Skelleftea, Sweden native has recorded 183 assists in 546 regular season games, but he earned a big assist off the ice back in December 2017 while he was a member of the Predators.
A Predators fan approached the team for help with a marriage proposal, and the future bride-to-be’s favourite player was none other than Arvidsson. The team was on board with the plan, and as the Predators headed onto the ice for pre-game warm-ups, Arvidsson stopped in front of the couple, removed his glove, and revealed the engagement ring on his right pinky finger—the one the fan was about to use for the marriage proposal.
Stunned, the future bride-to-be said yes to the proposal, and Arvidsson reflected on the moment, saying, “It was a fun experience. She looked really happy—I didn’t stay long, but it was a good moment.”
Arvidsson Has a Reputation for His Charity Work
When Arvidsson was a member of the Predators, he was renowned for his charity work with the club’s Nashville Predators Foundation, which focuses on ongoing efforts to meet educational, social, health, and cultural needs throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
For years, he volunteered his time and effort toward the foundation, stating that the nonprofit organization was dearest to his heart and added, “I support any cause that the Predators Foundation donates to.”
Additionally, before Arvidsson was traded to the Kings, he spearheaded ‘Arvy’s Animal Rescue Club,’ where players would meet up at local dog parks to interact with fans and their dogs, with proceeds benefiting local animal shelters and rescue organizations.
The program was run by a previous player, and when they left, Arvidsson decided to continue the program, stating:
“My wife and I decided that if we are in a position to help animals in any way we can, we were going to do it,’ Arvidsson said. ‘Both Moa and I love animals—I’ve had a dog all my life, and we fostered a few dogs before the season started, so it’s a cause that means a lot to both of us.”
By all accounts, it appears the team has not only picked up a player for the next two seasons who knows how to put the puck in the back of the net but also a stand-up guy off the ice as well. With that said, what are your thoughts on the Arvidsson signing?
ARTICLE PRESENTED BY SPRING FINANCIAL
Need quick access to funds? Spring Financial offers personal loans from $500 to $35,000, sent through e-Transfer as soon as today. Skip the hassle of branch visits and apply straight from your phone. Whether it’s for unexpected expenses or a big purchase, Spring Financial has your back. Fast, easy, and convenient—get the funds you need without leaving home. Ready to start? Click here to apply!
Recent articles from Sean Panganiban
