Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson will participate in the GEICO Hardest Shot event at the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills in Sunrise, FL on Saturday, the NHL’s Public Relations department announced Thursday.
Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Seth Jones, Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin, and Pettersson will participate.
Pettersson will appear in the Hardest Shot competition for the second time in his career, having previously taken part in 2020. He finished third in that year’s event, behind Shea Weber and John Carlson, with a clocked speed of 102.4 miles per hour.
Four 2023 All-Stars have competed in the GEICO Hardest Shot event previously, including three who will partake this year: Alex Ovechkin (5x, last: 2018), Seth Jones (3x, last: 2020) and Elias Pettersson (2020). #NHLAllStar
Details: https://t.co/6FN6flIAVc pic.twitter.com/HjIGPTsBLL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 2, 2023
Through 47 games with the Canucks this season, Pettersson has recorded 21 goals and 58 points. He’s already two assists shy of tying his career-high mark of 38 and is on pace to set new personal bests in every major offensive category.
At an All-Star media event on Thursday, former Canucks forward Bo Horvat — traded to the New York Islanders on Monday — said he would pick Pettersson to replace him as team captain. Incidentally, Horvat is one of a very small group of players not participating in any events at this year’s All-Star Skills.
The Canucks originally selected Pettersson in the first round (No. 5 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. After a spectacular 2017–18 Swedish Hockey League season with Växjo HC, Pettersson made his NHL debut with the Canucks in 2018–19 and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
Pettersson is under contract with the Canucks at a $7.35 million cap hit through the end of the 2023–24 regular season, at which time he’ll be 25 and eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
The Hardest Shot competition is one of seven events set to take place at the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills. Here is the full itinerary, from Thursday’s official NHL press release:
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!