In the wake of Elias Pettersson’s October NHL Rookie of the Month, I have collected 15 facts about this extraordinary young man that you may find interesting…
#1 Birth
Frederick Elias Pettersson was born November 12th, 1998 in Sundsvall, Sweden, a city situated 377 kilometres north of Stockholm on the Gulf of Bothnia across from Finland. It has a surrounding population of 95,000. Fredrik Modin (won Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning on 2004) and Henrik Zetterberg (won Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008) also were born in Sundsvall.
#2 How Do you Pronounce That?
The correct pronunciation is: ee-LEE-as petter-SHON
#3 Hometown Hockey & Goaltending
Although born in Sundsvall, Elias grew up in a small town called Ange (population 2872 in 2010) about 96 kilometres west and inland of his birthplace. While now known as a potent forward, Elias actually started off his hockey career as a goaltender with his Ange minor hockey team.
“Pettersson spent hours upon hours, more than the other kids his age, working on his skating and on his hockey skills, which helped him develop much quicker and put him a step above the rest. With his dad driving the Zamboni at the rink in Ange, it gave Elias the chance to put in some extra time on the ice that many other children never had the opportunity to do. A chance the enthusiastic young boy never knocked back.” (worldjunior2017.com)
#4 Family Love
Pettersson credits his parents for where he is today and remains close to them. “Pettersson is able to call his parents pretty much every day… “With the time difference, either I talk to them when I wake up or when they wake up.” (the province.com).
His grandmother would often drive him to the rink as a child and he also has an older brother, Emil, who is a prospect in the Nashville Predator’s system. “(Growing up with Emil) helped me a lot,” explains Elias Pettersson. “Especially at a young age as Emil taught me a lot. Then now we'll try to check on each other’s games as much as we can and learn from each other.” (worldjunior17.com)
#5 Pro Hockey in Sweden
Pettersson made his professional debut in 2015 with Timrå IK and then signed with the Växjö Lakers of the top tier of the Swedish Hockey League. He was a force in the SHL in his rookie year of 2017-18 with 24 goals and a total of 56 points in just 44 games passing Peter Forsberg and Henrik Sedin for points by a junior player and eventually breaking the record formerly held by Kent “The Magic Man” Nilsson.
#6 International Play
Elias has won a silver medal for Sweden in the 2018 World Juniors and a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. Although he was left off the roster of the Swedish Olympic Hockey team he didn’t let that deter him as he continued to tear up the SHL.
#7 The 2017 NHL Draft
Although they had a 12.1% chance of winning the 1st overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft (Only Colorado had a greater percentage), the Canucks ended up picking 5th behind New Jersey, Philadelphia, Dallas and Colorado.
They watched as Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick, Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar were taken with the first four picks and then they made a very smart move – they drafted Elias Pettersson 5th overall.
#8 First Experience with Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks signed Elias Pettersson to a 3 year entry level deal on May 25th 2018 and he played his first NHL game – and scored his first NHL goal – against the Calgary Flames on October 3rd, 2018.
#9 Hockey Heroes
Elias’ hockey hero growing up was Peter Forsberg although he’s often compared today with the Washington Capital’s Nicklas Backstrom. He is quoted as saying:
“I don’t like to talk about myself, but I like to be one step ahead of my opponents if I’m forechecking or in a 50-50 situation,” added Pettersson. “I always like to have a plan to win the situation. I create a lot of scoring chances for myself and my teammates and I like to pass the puck more than shoot it…I play with a lot of instincts and I like how Nicklas Backstrom plays. He makes his teammates better and creates chances for himself, but I’ve got a lot to learn to get to the next level.
‘
#10 Comparison with the Sedins?
Pettersson met the Sedins at Rogers Arena at a post –draft combine. “I heard that they always train hard and even though you think you’re training hard, you can always train harder. I watched them through the years and they make hockey look way too easy sometimes. They are very good players and it was fun to meet them.” After that bank pass to Brock Boeser on Nov 2nd he is really looking like Henrik!
#11 His BFF
Jonathan Dahlen! “Pettersson says: "He's my best friend from home," Pettersson said of Dahlen, who was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators for forward Alexandre Burrows on Feb. 27, "and to be on the same team in Sweden and get drafted by Vancouver and be in the same NHL organization is very cool."
"I am more of a passer, he is more of a goal-scorer," Pettersson, 18, said. "First time we played together was when he moved from HV71 to Timra three years ago and we started to play together directly and we found the chemistry directly and since that [time] the chemistry has become better and better. We think the same on the ice, we know where the other player is." (NHL.com)
#12 Never Too Small
Although often looked over or criticized for his tall but thin frame, Elias has proven them wrong over and over again. On top of that he trains hard and will undoubtedly put on the necessary weight to play effectively in the NHL.
“When the Canucks selected the Swede at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, there was comments about his lack of size and how that may result in him taking longer to develop. What stood out in his play this year is his ability to not put himself in situations where he may get overpowered. Elusive and deceptive are perfect descriptors about his skill to slip away from defenders trying to check him.
If his opponent was able to engage him, Pettersson had the awareness to angle his skates or body to push back against the oncoming player. He would use his stick to keep the puck moving or move to a teammate to get out from the coverage as quick as possible.” (NHL.com)
#13 What a Wrist Shot
Elias has a unique type of wrist shot with an almost slinging action – as we have seen so far this year it can be lethal!
“Pettersson’s shooting ability likens him to Patrick Laine or Brock Boeser. He is going to be a guy that can take the puck off the wall to the top of the circle and beat a goalie with his quick release and shooting ability. On top of that, he has shown Canucks brass a positionally sound and defensively responsible game, and hockey IQ that is off the charts.” (The Hockey News)
#14 Secret Talents
"Dad was very good at cycling with a unicycle when I was a little kid," said Pettersson. "I also wanted to do that, so I taught myself to learn how to do it. Then I thought it would be cool to be able to juggle, so I taught myself how to do that as well." (Vancouver Courier)
#15 Destined To Play Hockey In Vancouver?
A 5 year old Elias pops the peace sign in front of his hockey-themed birthday cake – while wearing a Vancouver, Canada shirt!
Sources & Further Reading:
https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/nhl-draft-canucks-take-elias-pettersson-with-fifth-overall-pick
http://www.worldjunior2017.com/en/news/when-hard-work-pays-off/
https://www.nhl.com/news/elias-pettersson-joins-friend-from-home-on-canucks/c-290293948
https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson/c-298233048
https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/markus-naslund-was-once-a-highly-touted-rookie-his-take-on-elias-pettersson
https://thehockeywriters.com/canucks-elias-pettersson-potential/
https://www.vancourier.com/pass-it-to-bulis/elias-pettersson-has-a-unique-hidden-talent-riding-a-unicycle-while-juggling-1.23265283
https://www.expressen.se/kvallsposten/sport/holl-tal-for-laget-da-brot-han-ihop/
#1 Birth
Frederick Elias Pettersson was born November 12th, 1998 in Sundsvall, Sweden, a city situated 377 kilometres north of Stockholm on the Gulf of Bothnia across from Finland. It has a surrounding population of 95,000. Fredrik Modin (won Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning on 2004) and Henrik Zetterberg (won Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008) also were born in Sundsvall.
#2 How Do you Pronounce That?
The correct pronunciation is: ee-LEE-as petter-SHON
#3 Hometown Hockey & Goaltending
Although born in Sundsvall, Elias grew up in a small town called Ange (population 2872 in 2010) about 96 kilometres west and inland of his birthplace. While now known as a potent forward, Elias actually started off his hockey career as a goaltender with his Ange minor hockey team.
“Pettersson spent hours upon hours, more than the other kids his age, working on his skating and on his hockey skills, which helped him develop much quicker and put him a step above the rest. With his dad driving the Zamboni at the rink in Ange, it gave Elias the chance to put in some extra time on the ice that many other children never had the opportunity to do. A chance the enthusiastic young boy never knocked back.” (worldjunior2017.com)
#4 Family Love
Pettersson credits his parents for where he is today and remains close to them. “Pettersson is able to call his parents pretty much every day… “With the time difference, either I talk to them when I wake up or when they wake up.” (the province.com).
His grandmother would often drive him to the rink as a child and he also has an older brother, Emil, who is a prospect in the Nashville Predator’s system. “(Growing up with Emil) helped me a lot,” explains Elias Pettersson. “Especially at a young age as Emil taught me a lot. Then now we'll try to check on each other’s games as much as we can and learn from each other.” (worldjunior17.com)
#5 Pro Hockey in Sweden
Pettersson made his professional debut in 2015 with Timrå IK and then signed with the Växjö Lakers of the top tier of the Swedish Hockey League. He was a force in the SHL in his rookie year of 2017-18 with 24 goals and a total of 56 points in just 44 games passing Peter Forsberg and Henrik Sedin for points by a junior player and eventually breaking the record formerly held by Kent “The Magic Man” Nilsson.
#6 International Play
Elias has won a silver medal for Sweden in the 2018 World Juniors and a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. Although he was left off the roster of the Swedish Olympic Hockey team he didn’t let that deter him as he continued to tear up the SHL.
#7 The 2017 NHL Draft
Although they had a 12.1% chance of winning the 1st overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft (Only Colorado had a greater percentage), the Canucks ended up picking 5th behind New Jersey, Philadelphia, Dallas and Colorado.
They watched as Nico Hischier, Nolan Patrick, Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar were taken with the first four picks and then they made a very smart move – they drafted Elias Pettersson 5th overall.
#8 First Experience with Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks signed Elias Pettersson to a 3 year entry level deal on May 25th 2018 and he played his first NHL game – and scored his first NHL goal – against the Calgary Flames on October 3rd, 2018.
#9 Hockey Heroes
Elias’ hockey hero growing up was Peter Forsberg although he’s often compared today with the Washington Capital’s Nicklas Backstrom. He is quoted as saying:
“I don’t like to talk about myself, but I like to be one step ahead of my opponents if I’m forechecking or in a 50-50 situation,” added Pettersson. “I always like to have a plan to win the situation. I create a lot of scoring chances for myself and my teammates and I like to pass the puck more than shoot it…I play with a lot of instincts and I like how Nicklas Backstrom plays. He makes his teammates better and creates chances for himself, but I’ve got a lot to learn to get to the next level.
‘
#10 Comparison with the Sedins?
Pettersson met the Sedins at Rogers Arena at a post –draft combine. “I heard that they always train hard and even though you think you’re training hard, you can always train harder. I watched them through the years and they make hockey look way too easy sometimes. They are very good players and it was fun to meet them.” After that bank pass to Brock Boeser on Nov 2nd he is really looking like Henrik!
#11 His BFF
Jonathan Dahlen! “Pettersson says: "He's my best friend from home," Pettersson said of Dahlen, who was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators for forward Alexandre Burrows on Feb. 27, "and to be on the same team in Sweden and get drafted by Vancouver and be in the same NHL organization is very cool."
"I am more of a passer, he is more of a goal-scorer," Pettersson, 18, said. "First time we played together was when he moved from HV71 to Timra three years ago and we started to play together directly and we found the chemistry directly and since that [time] the chemistry has become better and better. We think the same on the ice, we know where the other player is." (NHL.com)
#12 Never Too Small
Although often looked over or criticized for his tall but thin frame, Elias has proven them wrong over and over again. On top of that he trains hard and will undoubtedly put on the necessary weight to play effectively in the NHL.
“When the Canucks selected the Swede at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, there was comments about his lack of size and how that may result in him taking longer to develop. What stood out in his play this year is his ability to not put himself in situations where he may get overpowered. Elusive and deceptive are perfect descriptors about his skill to slip away from defenders trying to check him.
If his opponent was able to engage him, Pettersson had the awareness to angle his skates or body to push back against the oncoming player. He would use his stick to keep the puck moving or move to a teammate to get out from the coverage as quick as possible.” (NHL.com)
#13 What a Wrist Shot
Elias has a unique type of wrist shot with an almost slinging action – as we have seen so far this year it can be lethal!
“Pettersson’s shooting ability likens him to Patrick Laine or Brock Boeser. He is going to be a guy that can take the puck off the wall to the top of the circle and beat a goalie with his quick release and shooting ability. On top of that, he has shown Canucks brass a positionally sound and defensively responsible game, and hockey IQ that is off the charts.” (The Hockey News)
#14 Secret Talents
"Dad was very good at cycling with a unicycle when I was a little kid," said Pettersson. "I also wanted to do that, so I taught myself to learn how to do it. Then I thought it would be cool to be able to juggle, so I taught myself how to do that as well." (Vancouver Courier)
#15 Destined To Play Hockey In Vancouver?
A 5 year old Elias pops the peace sign in front of his hockey-themed birthday cake – while wearing a Vancouver, Canada shirt!
https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/nhl-draft-canucks-take-elias-pettersson-with-fifth-overall-pick
http://www.worldjunior2017.com/en/news/when-hard-work-pays-off/
https://www.nhl.com/news/elias-pettersson-joins-friend-from-home-on-canucks/c-290293948
https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson/c-298233048
https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/markus-naslund-was-once-a-highly-touted-rookie-his-take-on-elias-pettersson
https://thehockeywriters.com/canucks-elias-pettersson-potential/
https://www.vancourier.com/pass-it-to-bulis/elias-pettersson-has-a-unique-hidden-talent-riding-a-unicycle-while-juggling-1.23265283
https://www.expressen.se/kvallsposten/sport/holl-tal-for-laget-da-brot-han-ihop/
