Elias Pettersson

Swedish professional ice hockey center who won the 2019 Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year and has established himself as an elite scorer.

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.

Pettersson is known for his exceptional hockey IQ, precise passing ability, and deceptive shot release. He possesses excellent vision and creativity, making him dangerous both as a scorer and playmaker. Despite his slender frame, he uses his intelligence and skating ability to find open ice and create scoring opportunities.

One of the most skilled Swedish forwards of his generation and franchise cornerstone for Vancouver

• Calder Trophy (2019)
• All-Star 4x
• Hart Trophy finalist
• Art Ross Trophy runner-up
• Calder Memorial Trophy (2019)
• NHL All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
• SHL Rookie of the Year (2018)

Team Career

Team	Period	GP	Goals
Vancouver Canucks	2018–2024	354	153
Timrå IK	2015–2017	43	19
Växjö Lakers	2017–2018	44	24
Sweden	—	15	4