Canucks 1st-rounder Pettersson joins elite company during record-breaking SHL playoffs
Naslund. Backstrom. Forsberg. Sedin. Pettersson.
Yup, you can pencil in Elias Pettersson's name in with some of Sweden's all-time players.
Fresh off a regular season in which he set the SHL (Sweden's top professional league) record for points by a U20 player, the Vancouver Canucks prospect has not slowed down in the playoffs.
Pettersson has 10 goals and 19 points in 13 playoff games, setting another SHL record for points in a single postseason by a U20 player, according to Elite Prospects.
When you combine the regular season and the postseason, the numbers are that much more impressive.
Elias Pettersson sits comfortably at the top - #SHL all-time totals for a junior (regular season + postseason) #eliteprospects #canucks #nhl #ep pic.twitter.com/CcLY8wb5Fr
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) April 22, 2018
He also appears to have the clutch gene, showing incredible poise with a defender draped all over him to score the SHL Championship-winning goal. He was named SHL Playoff MVP for his efforts.
Elias Pettersson scores the SHL Championship winning goal in style. 👀
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) April 22, 2018
(🎥 C More) #Canucks @Canucks pic.twitter.com/tGvtioZ15o
Drafted fifth overall by the Canucks in 2017, Pettersson - who turned 19 last November - could announce his presence in North America with authority next season.
Canucks fans have every reason to be giddy about this kid.