Canucks sign defensive prospect Elias Pettersson to entry-level contract
The Vancouver Canucks made lead play-by-play broadcaster John Shorthouse’s life a bit more complex when they agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with defenseman Elias Pettersson on Wednesday.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has signed defenceman Elias Pettersson to a three-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/hUrzyDqiPX
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 19, 2023Pettersson is a 19-year-old, left-handed shot with 60 games of regular season experience in the Swedish top-flight for Orebro HK.
Though the rangy defenseman could add size and speed in the coming seasons to a Vancouver defense that was the 7th-worst in the NHL in 2022-2023, Canucks fans would be forgiven for being disappointed that this Elias Pettersson is the one they signed.
Pettersson is the exact namesake of the superstar centerman who notched 102 points for the ‘Nucks this season and is entering a contract year in 2023-2024. His signature will be a priority for GM Patrick Allvin throughout the summer.
Allvin was happy to have signed the younger Petterson, who the Canucks selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, all the same.
“We are very happy to have Elias sign with us as he takes another step forward in his hockey career,” Allvin said in a press release. “We really liked the year he had on the ice in both representing his country at the World Juniors and playing important minutes in the SHL.”
Allvin and Vancouver have a critical first full season under the guidance of Rick Tocchet ahead of them in 2023-2024.
The NHL legend and former Arizona Coyotes coach led Vancouver to a blistering 20-12-4 second half after Bruce Boudreau’s midseason dismissal.
As if that was not proof enough that Vancouver would not rebuild following the Bo Horvat trade, Allvin then traded for Detroit defenseman Filip Hronek and extended rookie KHL-export Andrei Kuzmenko; if the Canucks are going to compete, it has to be with this core group.
Pettersson’s age means he will likely return to the SHL next season, as teenagers cannot play in the AHL full-time.