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Elias Pettersson: Player Profile

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Andrew Walsh | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 2:57 AM ET

Elias Pettersson was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, on November 12, 1998. Pettersson began his professional hockey career with Timrå IK U16 of the U16 SM league during the 2013-14 season. In six games, Pettersson scored three goals and added seven assists. Pettersson played for Timrå IK at various age levels from 2013 to 2017. In two seasons for Timrå IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Pettersson had two different experiences.

During his first season with Timrå IK, Pettersson scored three goals and added six assists in 25 games. Perhaps he needed more time to adapt to a higher level of competition because during the 2016-17 season for Timrå IK, Pettersson scored 19 goals and added 22 assists in 43 games played. This was not the only team that Pettersson played for while making his way to the NHL, the sport’s highest level.

In one season for Växjö Lakers of the SHL, Pettersson scored 24 goals and added 32 assists in 44 games played. During the SHL playoffs, when the Lakers won the championship, Pettersson scored 10 goals and added nine assists in 13 playoff games. While this is not the best professional hockey league in the world, it is something that ultimately got Pettersson drafted where he did.

Pettersson also represented Sweden at the World Junior level at multiple tournaments. The question remained as to whether Pettersson could take his game to the highest level of hockey in the world. During the 2015-16 season for Sweden at the international junior level, Pettersson scored five goals and added 11 assists in 21 games played. This was Petterson’s greatest statistical output for Sweden at the junior level.

Elias Pettersson Selected with the Fifth Overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

Elias Pettersson was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Billed as a two-way forward who thinks the game well, the Canucks must have thought they were getting an elite-level scorer. This was not the first time the Canucks drafted Elias Pettersson. Forward Nico Hischier was drafted number one overall in this draft by the New Jersey Devils. “I have to work on my offense and be stronger and more physical,” the younger Pettersson said.

Elias Pettersson Wins 2019 Calder Trophy

After scoring 28 goals and adding 38 assists in 71 games played during the 2018-19 NHL season, Pettersson became the second Canuck to win the Calder Trophy. Pettersson set the Canucks rookie record for most points during his rookie season. Pettersson passed Pavel Bure and Ivan Hlinka, who each had 60 points. He followed this season up by having the same number of points in three fewer games during his second season in the NHL.

Elias Pettersson is a left-shot center for the Vancouver Canucks who has scored 30 goals three times. The Vancouver Canucks currently have a record of 18-34-7 and are in last place in the NHL’s Pacific division. Pettersson has recently become the subject of trade rumors. The NHL’s trade deadline is March 6^th at 3:00 PM. Recently, the Detroit Red Wings were one of the teams who was linked with Pettersson in trade rumors.

Pettersson signed an eight-year, $92.8 million contract with the Canucks on March 2, 2024. He will be 34 years old when his current contract expires. “I need to be better,” Pettersson recently said. Pettersson has scored 13 goals and added 22 assists in 52 games for the Canucks so far this season. Whether or not he plays for another team remains to be seen. There are several teams that might think that a fresh start is just what Pettersson needs.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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