Samuel Ersson wasn’t supposed to be the Philadelphia Flyers No. 1 goaltender. However, circumstances conspired to make it so.

When Carter Hart was beset with legal problems and Ivan Fedotov was detained in Russia, a path was paved to the spot and Ersson boldly drove through it to claim the Flyers’ net. Calm in the net with a business-like approach to stopping pucks, Ersson exudes a quiet confidence between the pipes.

In his native Sweden, Ersson also made quick strides. He would turn pro with Brynas of the SHL at the age of 16. Playing on loan with Vasteras IK of Hockey Allsvenskan, the Swedish second division, he was awarded the Guldgallret as the best junior player in the league during the 2018-19 season. He turned in a 1.93 GAA and fashioned a .933 save percentage that season. 

Ersson made it as a regular in the SHL at the age of 20. He’d serve as No. 1 goaltender for Brynas during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. 

In June of 2021, three years after selecting him 143rd overall in the NHL entry draft, the Flyers would sign Ersson to a contract. He’d play the majority of the next two seasons with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Making his NHL debut during the 2022-23 season, Ersson would be a winner in each of his first six decisions. The Swedish puckstopper would become just the 12th netminder in NHL history to win each of his first six decisions. 

His debut came on December 23, 2022 facing the Carolina Hurricanes, a game in which he split time with Hart, who took the loss in a 6-5 setback. Six days later, Ersson would record a 4-3 overtime decision over the San Jose Sharks for his inaugural NHL victory. He’d make 28 saves in the win. On January 9, 2023, in just his fifth NHL start, Ersson turned aside 28 shots in a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres for his first NHL shutout. The Sabres were the NHL’s highest-scoring team at the time.

Ersson would win the No. 1 role in Philly during the 2023-24 season. He’d lead all NHL rookie goalies with 23 wins and four shutouts. Ersson put together an eight-game point streak (7-0-1) from November 10 to December 19, 2023.

Following the 2023-24 NHL season, Ersson would suit up for Sweden at the IIHF World Championship. Going 3-1 with a 1.44 GAA, Ersson would help the Swedes earn the bronze medal.