John Klingberg was born on August 14, 1992 in Lerum, Sweden. The product of Frolunda HC of the Swedish Elite League was drafted in the fifth round, 131st overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
After five seasons in Sweden, Klingberg jumped to play hockey in North America where the Dallas Stars assigned him to the Texas Stars for the remainder of the 2013-14 season. Klingberg would start the 2014-15 with the Stars, however he would be promoted to the NHL after the first month of the season. On November 11, 2014, Klingberg would make his NHL debut in a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. Klingberg appeared in 65 games in his rookie NHL season where he scored 11 goals and 40 points.
Klingberg would emerge as one of the game's premier offensive defenceman during the 2015-16 season. In 76 games for the Stars he found the back of the net 10 times and added 48 assists. His 58 points were fifth most amongst blue liners in the league.
On the international stage, Klingberg has represented his native Sweden on numerous occasions, highlighted by a gold medal performance at the 2012 World Junior Championship.