How Swede he is: Canucks sign 2017 1st-round draft pick to 3-year contract
Swedish forward signs 3-year entry-level contract
VANCOUVER (CP) — The Vancouver Canucks took another step in their rebuilding process by signing forward Elias Pettersson to a three-year NHL entry-level contract Friday.
By signing the 19-year-old Swede, the Canucks hope to add to their stable of young players with a scoring touch.
“I always had a dream I would want to play in the NHL,” Pettersson said in a telephone conference call from Sweden. “Now I’ve signed my first contract, I’m one step closer to it.
“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity. I am going to train really hard to hopefully (play) in the NHL in the first game.”
The Canucks liked what they saw in Pettersson this year.
Playing in his first season with Vaxjo HC, he led the Swedish Hockey League in regular-season scoring with 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 44 games. He also was the playoff scoring leader with 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 13 games.
Besides taking his team to the SHL championship, the 6-foot-2, 161-pound native of Sundsvall was named rookie of the year, best forward, MVP and playoff MVP.
At the recent world championship, Pettersson had three points in five games before breaking his thumb in a game against Switzerland.
He also had seven points to help Sweden take silver at the world juniors.
Brock Boeser, an NHL rookie-ofthe-year finalist, scored a teamleading 29 goals and had 26 assists in 62 games. The 21-year-old missed the final 16 games of the season Pettersson isn’t shy to set high with a back injury. He was also goals and doesn’t expect the thumb the MVP of the 2018 All-Star Game. injury to impede his training this Late in the year, Vancouver summer. signed centre Adam Gaudette, the
“Once that is good, I think I can 21-year-old Hobey Baker winner be an impact player,” he said. “I who led the NCAA this year with will get a summer of training and 30 goals and 60 points. be as ready as possible.” Bo Horvat, 23, completed his
Capable of playing all fourth NHL season with three forward positions, 22 goals and 44 points in Pettersson believes he 64 games. The 23-year-old can make the transition missed seven weeks with to the smaller ice surface a knee injury. in North America. Goaltender Thatcher
“I know it’s going to Demko, 22, had a 24-13-6 take time,” he said. “I record with the AHL’s played on smaller ice Utica Comets this past before, I know how it is. season. He also won his
“It didn’t change my Benning first NHL game with the game. I felt that I had less time Canucks on March 31. with the puck and needed to Also on the radar is defenceman protect the puck even more. I Olli Juolevi, picked fifth in the will have that in mind when I train 2016 draft, plus two wingers in this summer.” Jonathan Dahlen, from Sweden,
The Canucks selected Pettersson and Kole Lind, from the WHL’s fifth overall in the 2017 NHL draft. Kelowna Rockets. The Canucks There had been some speculation also pick seventh overall in June. he might play another season in Asked about Swedish players he Sweden before coming to North admired growing up, Pettersson America. listed Peter Forsberg and Nicklas
“Yes, I thought of it,” Pettersson Backstrom. said. “I only wanted to focus on the Two players he didn’t mention season while it lasted. were Henrik and Daniel Sedin,
“After the season, I wanted to who have retired after 17 seasons think about what is best for me in a Canuck uniform. and what I wanted to do. I think Canucks general manager Jim it was the best time for me to sign Benning really likes the potential today.” Pettersson brings to Vancouver.
Pettersson hesitated when asked “Elias is a talented offensive about the possibility of playing in player with tremendous vision the American Hockey League. and skill,” Benning said. “Like
“I don’t know,” he said. “I want most Canucks fans, we watched to play in the NHL as quickly as with excitement the incredible possible. If I have to play in the season he had in Sweden. AHL first, I will do that.” “This is an important off-season
The Canucks, who missed the of training and development for playoffs for the third consecutive Elias and we expect him to be season, have been trying to restock ready to challenge for a roster spot their roster with future stars. in training camp.”