Vancouver's franchise hope — Hart Trophy finalist and the most skilful Swedish player since Forsberg.
Elias Pettersson was born in Sundsvall, Sweden in 1998. Vancouver Canucks selected him fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. His career through 2024-25 has produced exceptional statistics — he won the Calder Trophy as best rookie in 2019 after a remarkable debut season. He was selected to four All-Star games. He has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross scoring trophy. His combination of skating speed, passing creativity and goal-scoring from the centre position drew immediate comparisons to Peter Forsberg — the highest compliment Swedish hockey can receive. He became the Vancouver Canucks' franchise player during his rebuilding years and helped return the franchise to competitiveness by leading them to the second round of the 2024 playoffs. He signed a long-term extension with Vancouver in 2023, committing to the market rather than seeking a trade to a bigger stage. He is the most exciting Swedish player in the current game and one of the top centres in the league.
Calder Trophy (2019)
Career Honours
- Calder Trophy (2019)
- All-Star 4x
- Hart Trophy finalist
- Art Ross Trophy runner-up