PORTLAND, Maine — Editor's note: The video attached to this story was originally published in 2018.
The Boston Bruins announced Saturday that they claimed a forward from Maine off waivers from the New York Islanders.
Oliver Wahlstrom, a 24-year-old Yarmouth native, has been a hockey standout since he was a child.
Wahlstrom became an internet sensation when he was just 9 years old, performing a highly technical shot on goal called "The Michigan" between periods at a Boston Bruins game. Footage of that trick shot went viral.
His father, Joakim Wahlstrom, played at the University of Maine and professionally in Sweden. He told NEWS CENTER Maine in 2009 that his son started skating when he was 3 years old.
Wahlstrom committed to playing with the University of Maine Black Bears at just 13 years old. By the time he was old enough for college, his plans changed, and he rescinded his commitment, switching to Harvard University, then Boston College before signing a contract to play with the New York Islanders in 2019.
Wahlstrom was playing with the U.S. Hockey national development program when he entered the 2018 NHL draft. The Islanders selected him with the 11th pick of the first round, making him the highest drafted player ever to come from Maine. That distinction was previously held by Biddeford's Brian Dumoulin, who went 51st overall in 2009.
According to his new bio on the Bruins' website, Wahlstrom "blossomed into a regular for the New York Islanders as a rookie in 2020-21, scoring 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 44 games."
Wahlstrom is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Sweden and has appeared in 220 career NHL games with 36 goals and 35 assists, according to the Bruins' news release.