NY Islanders rookie Victor Eklund celebrates a 20th birthday he'll never forget

Victor Eklund has celebrated 20 birthdays. It's probably safe to assume none of the previous 19 came close to what he experienced Saturday night at UBS Arena.

The New York Islanders rookie scored his first NHL goal, recorded his first multi-point game and helped his team defeat the New Jersey Devils 6-0 in its home opener. And just when Eklund thought the night couldn't get any better, the UBS Arena crowd serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" after the game.

Try topping that next year.

Eklund, selected 16th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, picked up an assist on Brayden Schenn's second-period goal before delivering the moment everyone will remember. Taking a feed from Cal Ritchie in the third period, Eklund scored from the low slot to extend the Islanders' lead to 4-0.

The goal also put him in some pretty exclusive company.

Eklund became the first Islanders player to score on his 20th birthday since Duane Sutter on March 16, 1980. He was also the first NHL player to record multiple points on his 20th birthday since Nicklas Backstrom accomplished the feat with Washington in 2007.

For Pete DeBoer, watching Eklund experience the moment was particularly rewarding.

"He's a special kid," DeBoer said. "He's got a great personality, and the guys in the room have really embraced him as a big part of our group."

DeBoer said seeing the genuine excitement of a young player who has worked his entire life to reach the NHL is something coaches shouldn't take for granted.

And Eklund's teammates clearly enjoyed the celebration, too.

The Islanders entered the season hoping their younger players could provide some much-needed offensive contributions. Eklund has wasted little time showing he belongs.

A first NHL goal. Two points. A shutout victory. And thousands of Islanders fans singing him "Happy Birthday."

Some birthday presents are impossible to beat.

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