Australia has another representative in the National Hockey League (NHL), with Australian-Swedish forward Jakob Ihs-Wozniak taken in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Selected with the 55th overall pick, the Golden Knights took the highly rated European skater by trading up three spots.
Playing for Luleå HF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), Ihs-Wozniak had 23 goals and 34 assists in 40 games for the U20 team last season.
Born in Adelaide, South Australia to Australian (father) and Swedish (mother) parents before moving to Sweden at two-years-old.
Representing Sweden at international level and coming through the Swedish system, Ihs-Wozniak has a list of honours including a silver medal for the U18 Sweden national team at the World Junior Championships.
However, despite spending his entire career in the Swedish hockey system, Ihs-Wozniak has deep links to Australia.
Uniquely, Ihs-Wozniak would holiday regularly back in Australia visiting grandparents, while also playing beach cricket.
Despite covid halting the regular holiday trips to Australia to see family, Ihs-Wozniak and the land down under are strongly connected.
Becoming the third player born in Australia to get drafted into the NHL, Ihs-Wozniak is the fourth player with roots to Australia.
Famed St Louis Blues forward Nathan Walker – born in Cardiff, Wales, grew up in the streets of Sydney before moving abroad to advance his hockey career.
Darren Gani – born in Perth, was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 12th round with selection 252 overall in 1984.
LA Kings defender Jordan Spence was born in Sydney to Canadian-Japanese parents before moving back to Canada as a child, selected with pick 95 of the 2019 draft.
As a result of Ihs-Wozniak being selected by the Golden Knights he now becomes a beacon of light for aspiring ice hockey players in Australia.
The path to NHL selection for local Australian talent might be heading overseas to further their career, the story of Ihs-Wozniak is one to embrace.
Furthermore, with the sport of ice hockey growing in Australia and rinks like AIS Arena highlighting what can be achieved with a dream, Ihs-Wozniak being drafted will be a shot in the arm for local hockey.
That is of course if the correct marketing is in place for the Ihs-Wozniak name to be known across rinks in Australia.
The likelihood of Ihs-Wozniak playing for Australia are slim to none, however, the affinity the skilful forward has with his birth country shouldn’t be lost.
Ihs-Wozniak clearly loves Australia, his roots to the country and the responsibility of being a hockey player born in Adelaide isn’t lost on him.
Another NHL selection off the Swedish hockey factory floor, Ihs-Wozniak should also be celebrated from coast to coast in Australia.
From beach cricket in South Australia, ice rinks and cold Swedish winters, to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
The talented forward is as much Australian as he is Swedish, and that should be celebrated.
Ice hockey history in Australia is a deep and rich, Ihs-Wozniak has now written another page in that story.
The pen has only hit the page in this chapter, as Ihs-Wozniak begins his NHL journey.
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