Emil Bemström

Emil Bemström
Bemström with Djurgårdens IF in 2019
Born (1999-06-01) 1 June 1999
Nyköping, Sweden
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 SC Bern
Leksands IF
Djurgårdens IF
HIFK
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pittsburgh Penguins
National team  Sweden
NHL draft 117th overall, 2017
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2017–present

Emil Bemström (born 1 June 1999) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for SC Bern of the Swiss League. He previously played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 117th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Playing career

Sweden

Bemström played as a youth within the Leksands IF organization. He made his professional debut in the 2016–17 season, appearing scoreless in five Swedish Hockey League (SHL) games. However, during the season he suffered an inflammation of the pericardium and was forced out of the lineup for two months.[1] Following relegation to the HockeyAllsvenskan for the 2017–18 season, Bemström notched 8 goals and 15 points in 33 games for Leksands IF.[2] He scored his first goal in the Allsvenskan in a 3–1 win over IK Oskarshamn in October 2017.[1] Bemström left the club in the off-season and returned to the SHL by agreeing to a two-year contract with Djurgårdens IF on 2 May 2018.[2]

In the 2018–19 season, Bemström scored his first SHL goal in the first game of the season against Frölunda HC on 15 September 2018.[3] In a breakout season with Djurgården, he led the league in goals and power play goals and captured Rookie of the Year honours and also won the scoring title for the 2018–19 regular season with 23 goals. At the conclusion of the 2018–19 season, Bemström was also named junior player of the year by the Swedish ice hockey journalist association.[4] Djurgården also made it to the championship round in the playoffs, led by Bemstrom who had five goals and ten points.[5]

North America

Bemström was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the fourth round, 117th overall, of the 2017 NHL entry draft.[5] On 15 May 2019, Bemström was signed by the Blue Jackets to a three-year, entry-level contract.[6] Bemström made the Blue Jackets out of training camp and was expected to help cover for the loss of Artemi Panarin in the offseason.[7] He finished his rookie season scoring ten goals and 20 points in 56 games.[8]

With the following 2020–21 season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bemström opted to continue playing in Europe after accepting a loan assignment from the Blue Jackets to play with Finnish club, HIFK of the Liiga, on 8 September 2020.[9] In 16 games with HIFK, Bemström displayed his offensive acumen in compiling 8 goals and 17 points before returning to the Blue Jackets organization for training camp.[10] Upon his return, his play struggled and he scored only three goals that season.[11] All three goals came in Bemström's first career NHL hat trick against Juuse Saros and the Nashville Predators on 3 May 2021.[12]

During the 2021–22 season, Bemström suffered an oblique strain in training camp and continued to struggle upon his return. He finished the season with six goals and 11 points in 41 games in the shortened season. In the offseason, Bemström signed a two-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets on 3 August 2022.[11] He began the 2022–23 season assigned to Columbus' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. He led the league in scoring before being recalled by the Blue Jackets on 7 November. Despite playing on the top two lines, he continued to struggle and was eventually shifted down the lineup to the bottom lines before being sent back to Cleveland on 25 November.[13] He was recalled again on 28 December on an emergency basis replacing an ill Patrick Laine.[14] He remained with the team and scored a career-high 22 points in 55 games with the Blue Jackets.[15] Bemström began the 2023–24 season with the Blue Jackets, appearing in 12 games, scoring three goals and four points. However, on 15 November 2023, he was placed on waivers.[16] He went unclaimed and on 16 November, he was assigned to Cleveland.[10]

Unable to cement a full-time role within the Blue Jackets forward group, Bemström was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Alexander Nylander and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick on 23 February 2024.[17] Bemström scored on his debut with the Penguins, notching a power play marker in a 7–6 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on 25 February 2024.[18][19] He appeared in 24 games with Pittsburgh, scoring three goals and five points. He failed to make Pittsburgh's roster for the 2024–25 season and after going unclaimed on waivers, was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[20][21] He appeared in 48 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, scoring 23 goals and 48 points.[22] On 25 January 2025, Bemström was selected to play in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic representing Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.[23] He was recalled by Pittsburgh on 7 February to replace the injured Sidney Crosby[24] and appeared in two games, going scoreless before being returned to the AHL on 22 February.[25] He was recalled later that month on 27 February to replace the injured Michael Bunting.[26] He was placed on waivers on 31 March and after clearing, was assigned to the AHL.[27] He was recalled once more in April before being returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the final time on 12 April. He finished the NHL season with one assist in 14 games with Pittsburgh.[28] Following the season, Bemström did not receive a qualifying offer from the Penguins and became an unrestricted free agent.[29]

Return to Europe

It was announced on 12 August 2025 that Bemström had signed a one-year contract with SC Bern of the Swiss National League ahead of the 2025–26 season.[22][30]

International play

Bemström played for Sweden's junior team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August 2016.[31] He was again invited to Sweden's junior team at the 2019 World Juniors.[6] He played for the senior team at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.[10]

Personal life

Emil's father, Jörgen Bemström, played 517 SHL (then Elitserien) games and five games for Sweden men's national ice hockey team.[32]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Leksands IF J20 5 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2016–17 Leksands IF J20 28 21 12 33 35 3 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Leksands IF SHL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2017–18 Leksands IF Allsv 33 8 7 15 33 — — — — —
2017–18 Leksands IF J20 18 12 13 25 12 — — — — —
2018–19 Djurgårdens IF SHL 47 23 12 35 8 19 5 5 10 2
2019–20 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 56 10 10 20 8 5 0 0 0 2
2020–21 HIFK Liiga 16 8 9 17 2 — — — — —
2020–21 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 20 3 2 5 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Cleveland Monsters AHL 4 2 0 2 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 41 6 5 11 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Cleveland Monsters AHL 21 14 17 31 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 55 7 15 22 6 — — — — —
2023–24 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 32 5 6 11 10 — — — — —
2023–24 Cleveland Monsters AHL 8 10 4 14 6 — — — — —
2023–24 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 24 3 2 5 2 — — — — —
2024–25 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 48 23 25 48 38 — — — — —
2024–25 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 14 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
SHL totals 52 23 12 35 8 19 5 5 10 2
NHL totals 242 34 41 75 30 5 0 0 0 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2016 Sweden IH18 4th 5 1 1 2 0
2017 Sweden U18 4th 7 1 1 2 2
2019 Sweden WJC 5th 5 4 2 6 20
2022 Sweden WC 6th 8 1 4 5 0
Junior totals 17 6 4 10 22
Senior totals 8 1 4 5 0

Awards and honours

Award Year
SHL
Rookie of the Year 2019
Swedish junior player of the year[4] 2019
Håkan Loob Trophy 2019

References

  1. ^ a b "Efter hjärtproblemen – Bemström gör succé i Leksand: "En dröm att näta framför klacken"" [After the heart problems – Bemström is successful in Leksand: "A dream to net in front of the heel"]. Avesta Tidning (in Swedish). 25 October 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b Lönngren, Mattias (2 May 2018). "Vi hälsar fem spelare välkomna" [We welcome five players] (in Swedish). Djurgårdens IF. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  3. ^ Nilsson, Martin (15 September 2018). "Frölunda vann SHL-premiär mot topptippat Dif" [Frölunda won the SHL premiere against top-seeded DIF]. Sveriges Television (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  4. ^ a b Feltenmark, Anders. "Emil Bemström, Årets Junior 2018/2019". swehockey.se (in Swedish). Swedish Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b Hedger, Brian (28 August 2019). "Emil Bemstrom to miss prospects tournament with facial injury; should be OK for Blue Jackets camp". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b "CBJ sign Bemstrom to entry-level contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019 – via NHL.com.
  7. ^ Stacy, Mitch (3 October 2019). "Blue Jackets hope Swede newcomers Bemstrom, Lilja replace lost scoring". Toronto Star. Associated Press. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  8. ^ Gay, Collin (22 February 2024). "Columbus Blue Jackets trade Emil Bemstrom to Pittsburgh Penguins for Alex Nylander, pick". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  9. ^ "CBJ loan Bemstrom, Texier and Vehvilainen to trio of Liiga clubs". Columbus Blue Jackets. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020 – via NHL.com.
  10. ^ a b c "Blue Jackets Loan Emil Bemstrom to Monsters, Recall Trey Fix-Wolanksy". Cleveland Monsters. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  11. ^ a b Hedger, Brian; Johnson, Bailey (4 August 2022). "Emil Bemstrom's two-year extension completes Blue Jackets' offseason tasks". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  12. ^ Hedger, Brian (3 May 2021). "Emil Bemstrom's first career hat trick not enough for Blue Jackets in OT, naturally". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  13. ^ Hedger, Brian (25 November 2022). "Emil Bemstrom running out of NHL chances with Columbus Blue Jackets". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  14. ^ Portzline, Aaron (29 December 2022). "Blue Jackets' Emil Bemstrom is back in the NHL again — is it for real this time?". The Athletic. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Blue Jackets' Emil Bemstrom: Good start to preseason". CBS Sports. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  16. ^ Newland, Jason (15 November 2023). "Blue Jackets Put Emil Bemstrom on Waivers". The Hockey News. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Penguins acquire Emil Bemstrom from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Alex Nylander and a conditional pick". Pittsburgh Penguins. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via NHL.com.
  18. ^ "Penguins outlast Flyers in high-scoring affair". ESPN. Associated Press. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Bemstrom scores in debut with Penguins". Sportsnet. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Penguins' Emil Bemstrom: Placed on waivers". CBS Sports. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  21. ^ Mcgoey, Steven (5 October 2024). "Pittsburgh Penguins Assign Eight Players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins". The Hockey News. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  22. ^ a b DeRosa, Michael (12 August 2025). "Former Penguins Forward Joining New Team". The Hockey News. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Emil BEMSTRÖM Named AHL All-Star". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Penguins' Crosby out vs. Rangers; Bemstrom recalled from AHL". TSN. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  25. ^ Rorabaugh, Seth (22 February 2025). "Penguins assign forward Emil Bemstrom to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  26. ^ Guerriero, Justin (27 February 2025). "Penguins recall Emil Bemstrom from AHL, activate Boko Imama from IR". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  27. ^ Surmacz, Kelly (31 March 2025). "Penguins Forward Emil Bemstrom Placed On Waivers". The Hockey News. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  28. ^ Rorabaugh, Seth (12 April 2025). "Penguins assign forward Emil Bemstrom to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Penguins Extend Qualifying Offer to Forward Vasily Ponomarev". Pittsburgh Penguins. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025 – via NHL.com.
  30. ^ "Emil Bemstrom: Inks overseas deal". CBS Sports. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Emil Bemström får chansen i Leksands A-lag" [Emil Bemström gets the chance in Leksand's A team]. LT (in Swedish). 6 September 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Bemström om Leksand: "Man utvecklas mycket"" [Bemström on Leksand: "You develop a lot"]. Expressen (in Swedish). 26 July 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
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