Elias Pettersson is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Born on November 12, 1998, in Sundsvall, Sweden, he stands at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs around 176 to 185 pounds.
He shoots left and is renowned for his exceptional skill, vision, playmaking ability, and two-way play.
Selected fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Pettersson has become one of the franchise’s cornerstones since debuting in 2018.
Siblings
Elias has one older brother, Emil Pettersson, who is also a professional ice hockey player.
The brothers, raised in the small town of Ånge, Sweden, grew up playing together on local youth teams like Ånge IK, with their father working as a Zamboni driver at the rink providing them ample ice time.
Emil, a centre, has played in various professional leagues including the AHL and SHL, and the siblings have maintained a close relationship throughout their careers.
Also Read: Jordan Staal Siblings: All About Eric, Marc and Jared Staal
Career
Pettersson began skating at age three and progressed rapidly through the Swedish system.
He played for Timrå IK before joining the Växjö Lakers in the SHL, where he had a standout season in 2017-18 with 24 goals and 56 points in 44 games, leading the league in points per game and plus-minus.
The Canucks drafted him highly and he made an immediate impact in the NHL, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2018-19.
Over his career with Vancouver, Pettersson has established himself as a premier centre, known for his creativity and consistency.
He signed an eight-year contract extension worth $92.8 million in 2024, securing his long-term future with the team.
Through the 2025-26 season, he has appeared in over 500 NHL games, recording more than 200 goals and 500 points while serving as a key offensive driver and leader for the Canucks.
Accolades
Pettersson’s major honors include the 2019 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year and a selection to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
He has been named to multiple NHL All-Star Games and earned the SHL’s Best Junior award along with league-leading plus-minus recognition during his time in Sweden.
Internationally, he has represented Sweden at various levels, including World Juniors and senior competitions.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
