Elias Pettersson

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Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson.jpg
Pettersson in 2019
Born (1998-11-12) 12 November 1998 (age 23)
Sundsvall, Sweden
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Vancouver Canucks
Växjö Lakers
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 5th overall, 2017
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2015–present

Elias Fredrik Pettersson (born 12 November 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Pettersson was selected fifth overall by the Canucks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Nicknamed "Petey" by Canucks fans, he was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, but grew up in Ånge, Sweden.[1] After one of the greatest U20 seasons in SHL history in 2017–18[2] and winning the Le Mat Trophy with the Växjö Lakers, Pettersson made the Canucks opening night roster for the 2018–19 season.[3] He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2019, becoming the second Canuck to do so after Pavel Bure in 1992.

Playing career[]

Sweden[]

Pettersson played hockey as a youth and made his professional debut with Timrå IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan. In his second season in Allsvenskan in 2016–17, Pettersson placed second on the team in scoring with 41 points in 43 games. Unable to help Timrå IK gain promotion, Pettersson signed a three-year contract with the Växjö Lakers of the top tier SHL, on 6 April 2017.[4]

Pettersson selected by the Canucks at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Pettersson was ranked second among European skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in his first year of eligibility for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.[5] He was selected as the first Swedish player taken in the draft, fifth overall, by the Vancouver Canucks, joining former linemate and Canucks prospect Jonathan Dahlén on 23 June 2017.[6] It was speculated the Canucks drafted Pettersson based partly on highly successful chemistry with Dahlén on the top line for Timrå IK, where they finished fifth and ninth in league scoring as teenagers.[7][8] The two scored on the first shift they ever played together in Sweden.[9]

While still a junior player, Pettersson dominated the Swedish Hockey League in his 2017–18 rookie season. In 44 games played, he led the league in both points scored and in +/- at the end of the regular season, with 56 points (1.27 average) and +27 respectively. He also scored 24 goals, second in the league behind Frölunda's Victor Olofsson.[10] In the penultimate game of the 2017–18 season, Pettersson recorded four points to reach 55 points for the season.[11] In the season finale, Pettersson scored a goal to set a new record 56 for most points by a junior in a single SHL/Elitserien season, previously held by Kent Nilsson (set in 1975–76).[12]

Pettersson went on to lead the playoffs in both goal-scoring, points, and +/-, with 10 goals, 19 points (1.46 average) and +17 respectively, in 13 games played. Scoring four game-winning goals, he led Växjö Lakers to the team's second Le Mat Trophy.[13] Counting both the regular season and the playoffs, Pettersson scored 34 goals and 41 assists, for a total of 75 points in 57 games played (1.32 average). In April 2018, Pettersson was awarded the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy, as the SHL playoffs' MVP, by SICO (Sweden's Ice hockey players Central Organisation). All 14 jury members voted unanimously for Pettersson, a first in the award's nine year history.[14] At the SHL Awards, Pettersson was named Rookie of the Year, and Forward of the Year.[15]

Vancouver Canucks[]

On 25 May 2018, the Canucks signed Pettersson to a three-year entry-level contract.[16] On 3 October 2018, Pettersson made his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames. Pettersson scored his first career goal against goaltender Mike Smith, and also recorded an assist in a 5–2 Canucks win.[17] On 13 October 2018, during a game against the Florida Panthers, Pettersson suffered a head injury on a hit from Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson resulting in Pettersson leaving the game. Although Matheson was not penalized for the hit, the NHL Department of Player Safety believed that Matheson had an intent to injure, resulting in him being suspended two games and fined $52,419.36.[18] Pettersson returned to the lineup on 27 October after missing six games; the Canucks lost 5–0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[19] Two nights later, Pettersson scored two goals in a 5–2 win over the Minnesota Wild.[20] On 1 November, Pettersson was named the October Rookie of the Month,[21] and four days later was the Second Star of the Week.[22] In December, he was named First Star of the Week on 10 December[23] and after recording 17 points in 14 games during the month, he was again named Rookie of the Month.[24] On 2 December 2019, Pettersson would win the hardest shot competition at the Canucks Skills Competition with a 99.4 mph slap shot.[25] On 2 January 2019, Pettersson was named to his first NHL All-Star Game as the Canucks' lone representative.[26] He notched his first NHL hat trick later that night in a 4–3 win over the Ottawa Senators, striking in the second and third periods before scoring the game-winning goal in overtime.[27] Pettersson suffered a knee injury a night later when fellow rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi appeared to hook him away from the play. Petterson went down clutching his right knee and play had to be halted by the referees but he was able to skate off under his own power.[28] In his first game back from injury on 21 January 2019, Pettersson scored a goal and recorded an assist in a 3–2 win against the Detroit Red Wings.[29] On 18 March, Pettersson earned an assist in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks for his 61st point, surpassing the Canucks franchise record for points by a rookie which was previously held by Pavel Bure and Ivan Hlinka.[30] In his rookie season, Pettersson totaled 28 goals and 38 assists, giving him 66 points in 71 games. After the season, Pettersson was named as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy,[31] an award he ultimately won at the 2019 NHL Awards in Las Vegas on 19 June 2019, becoming the second Canuck to do so after Pavel Bure.[32]

Early in the 2019–20 season, Pettersson and Brock Boeser formed instant chemistry with off-season acquisition J. T. Miller.[33][34] On 4 November 2019, Pettersson was named First Star of the Week after totaling 9 points over four games.[35] On 30 December 2019, Pettersson was named to his second consecutive NHL All-Star Game to be played in a month, and was later joined by teammates Jacob Markstrom and Quinn Hughes.[36] Notably, at the Hardest Shot Competition, despite Pettersson being the only forward and only player under 200 lbs in the contest, he'd achieve a 102.4 mph slap shot, the 2nd highest mark by a forward in the competition's history up until that point.[37] On 12 March 2020, the Pettersson's season was cut short by the NHL's season suspension, meaning he was unable to surpass the 66 point mark of his rookie season, which he had matched in fewer games that season. When the season resumed on 1 August 2020, Pettersson would put up 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 17 games as the Canucks would dispatch the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues in 4 and 6 games, respectively, the team's first playoff series wins since 2011. They would make it as far as game 7 of the second round against the Pacific Division leading Vegas Golden Knights before bowing out.[38] Pettersson's 18 points in his first playoffs were tied for the team-lead and the eighth highest scoring playoffs in Canucks playoff history.

Pettersson began the shortened 2020–21 season with the worst start of his career, posting just one goal and one assist in his first eight games, as the Canucks struggled out of the gate. However, Pettersson would find his game from then on, recording 19 points in his next 18 games, including five multi-point efforts. Unfortunately, Pettersson would sustain a serious upper-body injury on 2 March that sidelined him for the rest of the regular season.[39]

On 1 October 2021, Pettersson signed a three-year, $22.05 million contract with the Canucks.[40]

International play[]

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Sweden
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2018 Denmark
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2018 Buffalo

Pettersson competed for Sweden in the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning silver. Despite being limited to just 5 games, due to a broken thumb,[41] Pettersson would go on to win a gold medal with Team Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[42]

On 9 May 2019, Pettersson was included to the roster to return for a second successive tournament with Sweden at the 2019 World Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.[43]

Personal life[]

Pettersson's older brother, Emil, is currently playing for the Spartak Moscow of the KHL.[44] both brothers have played for Timrå IK and the Växjö Lakers, with both having won SHL titles with Växjo; Elias in 2018, and Emil in 2021.

Growing up, his father was the Zamboni driver at the local rink, and because of this, Pettersson received much extra practice time.[45]

Pettersson played soccer in the summer as a child in Sweden, and still is a fan of the sport.

Pettersson is of Finnish descent through his paternal grandfather, born Toivo Jokelainen, who was sent to Sweden in 1941 as a Finnish war child.[46]

On December 13, 2011, Pettersson would hear that two of his best friends, Valerik and Davit Danielyan were deported from Sweden to Armenia.[47] Along with some friends, a 13 year old Pettersson would be interviewed by a local newspaper and appear on television in support of the Danielyan family. With the support of the people of Ånge, his best friends would be permitted to return in March 2012 following 81 days in Armenia.

On 7 August 2019, Pettersson was named the cover athlete for the Swedish edition of EA Sports' ice hockey video game NHL 20.[48]

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Timrå IK[49] J18 40 31 34 65 8 8 5 9 14 4
2014–15 Timrå IK J20 6 4 9 13 2 1 1 1 2 0
2015–16 Timrå IK J20 22 6 8 14 20 — — — — —
2015–16 Timrå IK Allsv 25 3 6 9 0 5 0 4 4 2
2016–17 Timrå IK Allsv 43 19 21 40 14 3 2 4 6 0
2016–17 Timrå IK J20 — — — — — 2 0 1 1 2
2017–18 Växjö Lakers SHL 44 24 32 56 14 13 10 9 19 4
2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 71 28 38 66 12 — — — — —
2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 68 27 39 66 18 17 7 11 18 2
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 26 10 11 21 6 — — — — —
SHL totals 44 24 32 56 14 13 10 9 19 4
NHL totals 165 65 88 153 36 17 7 11 18 2

International[]

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Sweden IH18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 0 0 0 0
2016 Sweden WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 1 7 8 4
2017 Sweden WJC 4th 6 0 1 1 0
2018 Sweden WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 5 2 7 0
2018 Sweden WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 1 2 3 0
2019 Sweden WC 5th 8 3 7 10 2
Junior totals 25 6 10 16 4
Senior totals 13 4 9 13 2

Awards and honours[]

Award Year
SHL
Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy 2018 [14]
Rookie of the Year 2018 [15]
Le Mat Trophy 2018 [13]
NHL
Rookie of the Month October 2018
December 2018 		[21]
[24]
NHL All-Star Game 2019, 2020 [26]
Calder Memorial Trophy 2019 [50]
NHL All-Rookie Team 2019 [51]
Vancouver Canucks
Cyrus H. McLean Trophy 2019
Pavel Bure Most Exciting Player Award 2019, 2020

References[]

  1. ^ "Elias Pettersson's NHL Draft Profile". National Hockey League. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Elias Pettersson named SHL Rookie of the Year, Best Forward, and MVP". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Canucks feeling 'optimistic' as post-Sedin era begins - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Young talent ready for Vaxjo Lakers" (in Swedish). Växjö Lakers. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  5. ^ "2017 Draft Prospect Rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Canucks take Elias Pettersson with fifth overall pick". The Province. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  7. ^ Burke, JD. "Benning: "Dahlen played a part" in Drafting Elias Pettersson". Canucks Army. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  8. ^ Wanger, Daniel. "Are Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen twins, separated-at-birth?". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  9. ^ MacIntyre, Iain. "Pettersson-Dahlen could be dream connection for future Canucks". Sportsnet. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Player Statistics 2017–18 SHL Regular Season" (in Swedish). Swedish Hockey League. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Dubbla rekord i Vida Arena" (in Swedish). Swedish Hockey League. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Växjö spelade ut – avslutade serien med ännu en seger" (in Swedish). Swedish Hockey League. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Lakers dominant in SHL title win". eurohockeyclubs.com. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy SHL-playoffs 2018 is awarded..." (in Swedish). SICO (Sweden's Ice hockey players Central Organisation). 22 April 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  15. ^ a b Staff, Courier. "Elias Pettersson named SHL Rookie of the Year, Best Forward, and MVP". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Canucks Sign Pettersson". NHL.com. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  17. ^ Wharnsby, Tim. "Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson steals the show on opening night". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Matheson suspended two games for actions in Panthers game". NHL.com. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  19. ^ Woodley, Kevin. "DeSmith, Penguins shut out Canucks, finish Canada trip 4-0-0". NHL.com. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  20. ^ Kuzma, Ben. "Canucks 5 Wild 2: Prized rookie Pettersson shoots, scores, even blocks shots". The Province. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Pettersson named NHL Rookie of the Month for October" (Press Release). NHL.com. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Monahan leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  23. ^ "Pettersson leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  24. ^ a b "Pettersson named NHL Rookie of the Month for December". NHL.com. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  25. ^ "Elias Pettersson wins Canucks' hardest shot competition (VIDEO) | Offside". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Pettersson selected to 2019 NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  27. ^ "Pettersson's 1st career hat trick seals Canucks' OT win over Sens". CBC. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  28. ^ Williams, Rob (3 January 2019). "Canucks' Elias Pettersson leaves game with leg injury". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  29. ^ "Pettersson returns to help Canucks clip Red Wings". cbc.ca. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Pettersson passes Bure for Canucks record". tsn.ca. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Calder Trophy finalists unveiled". NHL.com. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  32. ^ "Pettersson only scratched surface for Canucks in Calder Trophy season". NHL.com. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Veteran J.T. Miller adds versatility to Canucks' slick young roster". cbc.ca. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  34. ^ "Truth By Numbers: How Pettersson-Miller connection is transforming Canucks". sportsnet.ca. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  35. ^ "Pettersson leads 3 Stars of the Week". NHL.com. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  36. ^ "Pettersson selected to 2020 NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Elias Pettersson blasts second-hardest shot all time for a forward at the NHL Skills Competition". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  38. ^ "The 2020 playoffs need to leave a lasting legacy for the Canucks both on and off the ice". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Pettersson could be out for season for Canucks with upper-body injury". NHL.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Canucks agree to new contracts with Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Pettersson injured at World Championship". NHL.com. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  42. ^ "SHL Awards 2018" (in Swedish). Swedish Hockey League. 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  43. ^ "Sweden announces roster for 2019 World Championships" (in Swedish). swehockey.se. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  44. ^ "Emil Petterrson player profile". Elite Prospects.
  45. ^ "Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson doesn't have an attitude problem". The Canuck Way. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  46. ^ Nieminen, Jouni (28 December 2018). "Elias - Neljäsosasuomalainen".  [fi] (in Finnish). Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  47. ^ "How a deportation taught Elias Pettersson to take nothing for granted". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  48. ^ "Elias Pettersson announced as NHL 20 cover athlete in Sweden". CANUCKSARMY. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  49. ^ "Timrå IK J18". Elite Prospects. 2014–15. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  50. ^ "Canucks' Pettersson wins Calder Trophy". The Sports Network. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  51. ^ "NHL announces 2018-19 All-Rookie Team". National Hockey League. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick
2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the Calder Trophy
2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""