Timothy Liljegren Explained

Timothy Liljegren
Birth Date:1999 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Kristianstad, Sweden
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:193
Position:Defence
Shoots:Right
League:NHL
Team:San Jose Sharks
Ntl Team:Sweden
Former Teams:Rögle BK
Toronto Maple Leafs
Draft:17th overall
Draft Year:2017
Draft Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Career Start:2015

Timothy Winston Liljegren (born 30 April 1999) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs drafted him in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Internationally, he represents Sweden.

Playing career

Swedish Hockey League

Liljegren made his Swedish Hockey League debut on 3 December 2015 playing with Rögle BK during the 2015–16 SHL season.[1] Liljegren missed the first two months of the 2016–17 season after getting mononucleosis.

National Hockey League

On 23 June 2017, Liljegren was selected in the first-round, 17th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2017 NHL entry draft.[2] He later agreed with the Maple Leafs to a three-year, entry-level contract on 12 July 2017.[3] Liljegren was assigned to the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, for their 2017–18 season. In his rookie season, he was the youngest defenceman in the AHL.[4] That same season, the Marlies beat the Texas Stars to win the Calder Cup.

Liljegren made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs on 18 January 2020 in a 6–2 defeat against the Chicago Blackhawks.[5] He earned his first NHL point in his sixth NHL game; an assist in a 4–2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.[6]

Liljegren scored his first National Hockey League goal on 15 January 2022 against Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues.[7]

On 27 June 2022, Liljegren signed a two-year $2.8 million contract with the Maple Leafs.[8] He missed the beginning of the 2022–23 season with a hernia. He played his first game of the season on 5 November against the Boston Bruins.[9]

On 30 October 2024, Liljegren was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Matt Benning, a third-round pick in 2025, and a sixth-round pick in 2026.[10]

Personal life

Liljegren was born and grew up in Kristianstad. He and his two older brothers were raised by a single mother.[11] At age 14, his family moved to Ängelholm, home of the Rögle BK hockey program, to further his hockey career.[12]

Liljegren holds American citizenship through his father, who is from New Jersey.[13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16Rögle BKJ2029 7 15 22 263 1 2 3 0
2015–16Rögle BKSHL19 1 4 5 4
2016–17Rögle BKJ2012 5 2 7 83 1 4 5 0
2016–17Rögle BKSHL19 1 4 5 4
2016–17Timrå IKAllsv5 0 1 1 4
2017–18Toronto MarliesAHL44 1 16 17 2020 0 4 4 6
2018–19Toronto MarliesAHL43 3 12 15 1813 0 5 5 8
2018–19Newfoundland GrowlersECHL1 0 0 0 0
2019–20Toronto MarliesAHL40 5 25 30 18
2019–20Toronto Maple LeafsNHL11 0 1 1 2
2020–21Toronto MarliesAHL21 2 9 11 10
2020–21Toronto Maple LeafsNHL2 0 0 0 2
2021–22Toronto Maple LeafsNHL61 5 18 23 142 0 0 0 0
2022–23Toronto MarliesAHL2 0 1 1 0
2022–23Toronto Maple LeafsNHL67 6 12 18 305 0 0 0 0
2023–24Toronto Maple LeafsNHL55 3 20 23 166 0 1 1 2
2024–25Toronto Maple LeafsNHL1 0 0 0 2
SHL totals38 2 8 10 8
NHL totals197 14 51 65 66130 1 1 2

International

YearTeamEventResultGP G A Pts PIM
2015SwedenU176 3 2 5 6
2016SwedenWJC187 1 5 6 0
2016SwedenIH184th5 1 3 4 2
2017SwedenWJC184th7 0 2 2 4
2018SwedenWJC7 1 1 2 4
2023SwedenWC6th5 2 2 4 4
Junior totals 32 6 13 19 16
Senior totals5 2 2 4 4

Awards and honors

AwardsYear
AHL
Calder Cup (Toronto Marlies)2018[14]
All-Star Game2020[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Team Statistics - Rogle BK . . 4 May 2016 . 4 May 2016.
  2. Web site: Johnston. Mike. Maple Leafs select Timothy Liljegren with No. 17 pick at NHL Draft. Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 11 December 2017. 23 June 2017.
  3. Web site: Leafs sign Timothy Liljegren to entry-level deal. Sportsnet.ca. 11 December 2017. 12 July 2017.
  4. Web site: Canadian Press. Timothy Liljegren starting to feel at home in Toronto. Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. 8 December 2017. Toronto. November 29, 2017.
  5. Web site: Maple Leafs Timothy Liljegren makes NHL debut . . 18 January 2020 . 18 January 2020.
  6. Web site: Maple Leafs' Timothy Liljegren: First NHL point. 16 February 2020 .
  7. Web site: Liljegren's first NHL goal . NHL . 15 January 2022 . 7 November 2022.
  8. Web site: Maple Leafs sign Timothy Liljegren to two-year, $2.8M contract . Sportsnet . 27 June 2022 . 7 November 2022.
  9. Web site: Liljegren likely to play for Maple Leafs vs. Bruins on Saturday . Sportsnet . 2 November 2022 . 7 November 2022.
  10. Web site: Toronto Maple Leafs trade D Timothy Liljegren to Sharks for D Benning, picks . TSN . 30 October 2024 . 30 October 2024.
  11. News: IT'S LIT-JEGREN! The Leafs draft Timothy Liljegren and six others - Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet.ca. 4 July 2017. en-US.
  12. News: McGran. Kevin. Mother of Leafs' top pick has hockey son, will travel. 11 December 2017. Toronto Star. Chicago.
  13. Web site: Carlsson. David. Timothy Liljegren Talks Disastrous Season, NHL Draft & Dreams. thehockeywriters. The Hockey Writers. 25 June 2017. 17 May 2017.
  14. Web site: Marlies bring a hockey championship to Toronto, win Calder Cup . . 15 June 2018 . 15 June 2018.
  15. Web site: Bracco, Liljegren added to All-Star roster . . 26 January 2020 . 1 February 2020.