Finding his footing fast
Forward elvenes has been everything the wolves hoped he would be
Forward Lucas Elvenes wasn’t a huge scorer in Sweden. While playing last season for Rogle BK Angelholm, Elvenes had three goals and 17 assists in 42 games.
Nothing in those numbers suggested the 20-year-old would produce right away for the Wolves, who lost their top scorers from their 2018-19 Calder Cup runner-up and figured to need some offensive punch.
Though the Wolves have struggled to score early in the season, Elvenes has contributed plenty.
‘‘We’re really happy with the development so far,’’ Wolves coach Rocky Thompson said.
Playing on a line with Gage Quinney and Tye McGinn, Elvenes has helped the Wolves’ offense stay afloat. Entering the game Saturday, Elvenes has had a hand in 11 goals (three goals and eight assists).
Not counting shootouts, the Wolves had 16 goals in their first seven games. Their 3-2 victory Wednesday over Texas marked the first time they scored more than two goals since their Oct. 5 opener.
‘‘He’s been that much a part of our offense,’’ Thompson said of Elvenes. ‘‘Exactly whatwewerehoping.Wewantedtogivehiman opportunity early to see if that could happen, and it’s happening for him. It’s good.’’
OK, but why didn’t he put up points last season in Sweden? And where has the jump in production come from?
To answer the first question, Elvenes said he got off to a bad start and needed time to get into a rhythm. As for the second question, Thompson and Elvenes were quick to credit how Quinney’s game and McGinn’s grittiness have contributed.
Then there’s the North American playing surface, which is smaller than what Elvenes competed on in Sweden.
Elvenes agreed his offensive game fits better in North America than it did in Europe. He also likes how his linemates are showing him how to navigate the rink.
‘‘I always thought the smaller ice was better for me,’’ Elvenes said. ‘‘It fits me better. [Quinney and McGinn] have played a lot on the smaller ice, and they can teach me everything they can. It helps me a lot.’’
Selected by the Golden Knights in the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Elvenes opened eyes during their training camp last month. That confidence has carried over and is helping him now.
‘‘I think playing against NHL players helps a lot when you come down here and you know what’s going on,’’ Elvenes said. ‘‘A lot of the guys who [were] up there, we’re going to play against them here, so I think that [was] a good lesson to be there.’’
Elvenes isn’t a finished product. He said he needs to get stronger and add some physicality to his game. There will be hiccups and maybe some stretches without points, but he
“Exactly what we were hoping. we wanted to give him an opportunity early to see if that could happen, and it’s happening for him. It’s good.’’
WOLVES COACH ROCKY THOMPSON,
ON FORward Lucas Elvenes
is off to a good start.
‘‘It’s got to be a continued process,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘There’s still areas of his game that, when he’s doing them right, it even gives him more opportunity. It’s a great start, which is good.’’ ✶