abriel Landeskog’s hockey journey has always been defined by leadership. A Swedish-born captain of the Kitchener Rangers—a rare honour in the Ontario Hockey League—he earned respect in a league built on tradition and grit. That same presence carried him into the NHL, where he became the youngest captain in Colorado Avalanche history.
Today, his story comes full circle with a hard-fought return from a career-threatening injury, documented in the revealing series A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog.
OHL Roots and Leadership in Kitchener
He wasn’t just a rare European captain—he was a respected one. Former Kitchener coach Steve Spott saw leadership from the very start:
“For me he’s in the Mike Richards territory with leadership and I fully believe he’ll be a captain in the NHL one day… he’s our leader and deserving of being our captain,” former Rangers head coach Steve Spott said.
Teammates noticed the same qualities.
“When you see him on the ice, you think that he’s a North American player,” a former Kitchener teammate said.
For Landeskog, those years were pivotal:
“The organization is first class. I was well taken care of from day one. I don’t think I’d be where I am today or the player I am today if it wasn’t for my time in the OHL,” Landeskog said.
Why He Came Over: Purpose on Ice
Leaving Sweden for the OHL wasn’t a random decision.
“I wanted to develop… I had so many parts of my game I felt I needed to get better at, to make it to the next level,” Landeskog said.
It wasn’t just about bigger ice or tougher schedules. It was about learning, competing, and growing in a new environment.
Part of a Bigger Story
Landeskog is one of dozens of OHL graduates now thriving in the NHL who are featured in my new book, Junior Hockey Giants: Road to the NHL. The book celebrates the formative years of players like Landeskog—when future stars were still chasing bus rides, billet meals, and the dream of their first real shot at the big leagues.
His chapter is a reminder that the lessons learned in junior often become the foundation for an NHL career—and in his case, a captain’s mindset that would carry him through one of the toughest rehabs in modern hockey.
The Injury That Changed Everything
In the 2020 playoffs, a teammate’s skate accidentally sliced Landeskog’s knee. He played on, but the damage led to a cascade of complications. Multiple surgeries followed, including a radical cartilage transplant that no NHL player had ever come back from.
Nearly three years passed without him stepping onto NHL ice. For a player whose identity was built around competing at the highest level, the mental toll was as heavy as the physical one.
A Clean Sheet: The Road Back
Landeskog’s journey through injury and rehab is the heart of A Clean Sheet, a six-part documentary series that pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to return to the game after a life-changing injury.
It’s not a highlight reel—it’s a raw look at doubt, patience, and the grind. From the isolation of rehab to the support of his family, Landeskog opens up about the moments that tested him most.
🎥 Watch the trailer here
all six episodes of A Clean Sheet on:
-
HBO Max (subscription required)
-
Hulu (with Max bundle)
-
Amazon Prime Video (via HBO Max Channel)
Outside the U.S., availability may vary, so check your regional streaming platforms.
Why This Story Matters
Whether you saw him leading the Rangers as a teenager or lifting the Stanley Cup in Colorado, Landeskog’s story is about more than hockey. It’s a reminder that the habits, humility, and hunger built in junior can carry a player through any storm—and that leadership doesn’t vanish when the lights go out.
For Junior Hockey Giants readers, his journey is another chapter in the bigger story of how OHL players grow, adapt, and overcome on their way to the game’s highest stage.
Photos: Aaron Bell/OHL Images