Career
Eriksson was selected by the Dallas Stars in the second round, 33rd overall, at the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Eriksson started playing for Lerums BK at a young age and excelled beyond others his age quickly. By age 11, he was already playing with the older under-16 team
His talent was recognized at various tournaments and he finally landed on the junior team for Frölunda The Human Context. Eriksson"s professional career began in the top-tier Elitserien, where he played for Frölunda, sometimes facing his future fellow Boston Bruins forward Carl Söderberg when playing against the Malmö Redhawks during his first two seasons with Frölunda.
Dallas Stars
In the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Dallas Stars drafted Eriksson in the second round with the 33rd overall pick. After playing in his second season with Frölunda, Eriksson moved to North America and appeared in two pre-season games for Dallas in 2005.
His professional debut in North America came on 6 October 2005, with the Star"s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Stars, in a game where Eriksson posted his first assist and point of the season. Eriksson"s first National Hockey League goal came in his debut, 4 October 2006, against the Colorado Avalanche.
Two years later, he had a breakout season in 2008-2009, where he led the Stars with 36 goals, placing him fifth in the West and 12th overall in goal-scoring.
He was one of only three Stars to play in all 82 games of the season. Prior to the following season, on 2 October 2009, he was recognized as a significant offensive force of the Stars attack by re-signing to a six-year contract extension worth $25.5 million. Eriksson participated in his first National Hockey League All-Star Game in 2011.
He had a goal and two assists as well as the eventual game-winning empty-Netto goal to lead all players with four points (matched only by Shea Weber with four assists).
Boston Bruins
On 4 July 2013, Eriksson, along with prospects Joseph Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, was traded by the Stars to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button. In an injury-marred first season in Boston, after two concussions on separate hits from John Scott of the Buffalo Sabres and Brooks Orpik of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Eriksson would finish the 2013-2014 season with 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points in 61 games, finding chemistry with center and fellow Swede Carl Söderberg.