Elias Pettersson (born 12.11.1998) is a Swedish ice hockey center. He has been playing in the NHL since 2018 and he has played so far his career with the Vancouver Canucks. Pettersson won the Calder Trophy in 2019 as the best rookie of the year.

Early Career

Elias Pettersson played his junior career with Timrå IK. In the 2014-15 season, he played with J18 and J20 teams. In the 2015-16, he played with J20 and also with senior team in HockeyAllsvenskan (the second-highest league in the Swedish ice hockey system (after the SHL)). in his second season in HockeyAllsvenskan in 2016-17, Pettersson placed second on the team in scoring with 46 (21+25) points in 46 games. After the season, Pettersson signed a three-year contract with Växjö Lakers in SHL. 2017-18 season was totally breakthrough season to Pettersson. After Regular season, in 44 games he played, he led SHL in points scoring with 56 (24+32) points. 56 points was a new record for most points by a junior in a single SHL/Elitserien season. But that’s not all – Pettersson and Växjö Lakers continued their huge season in the Playoffs and Växjö Lakers won the Le Mat Trophy as the SHL champion. Pettersson scored 19 (10+9) point in 13 playoff games and he was awarded the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy, as the SHL’s playoffs’ most valuable player. At the SHL awards, he was also named Rookie of the year and Forward of the Year in SHL. Earlier in season, Pettersson was drafted 5th overall by Vancouver Canucks in 2017 NHL Draft.

Vancouver Canucks

On 25.05.2018, Pettersson signed three-year entry-level contract with Vancouver Canuck. Elias Pettersson made his NHL debut on 3.10.2018, against Calgary Flames – Pettersson scored his first NHL goal in that game. In season 2018-19, Pettersson played 71 games and made 66 (28+38) points. He was selected as Rookie of the Month twice (October 2018 and December 2018). He was selected to the 2019 NHL All-Star game and finally after season he was awarded Calder Trophy as the 2019 Rookie of the Year in the NHL. Season 2019 was shortened due Covid – Pettersson made 66 (27+39) points in regular season in 68 games. Season resumed on 1.8.2020 and Vancouver Canucks won first Minnesota Wild in 4 games and after that St.Louis Blues in 6 games – those were team’s first playoff series win since 2011. After that Canucks met Vegas Golden Knights, but the Golden Knights won Canucks in game seven. Pettersson made 18 (7+11) in 17 games at playoffs and was tied for the team-lead in points.

International Play

Elias Pettersson won a silver medal at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Pettersson won a gold medal in the 2018 World Championships – but his tournament ended after five games due to hand injury.