Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson named playoff MVP after record-setting performance in SHL Final
Elias Pettersson put the finishing touches on a brilliant Swedish Hockey League season on Sunday, setting another record and winning the league championship.
The 19-year-old Canucks prospect scored the opening goal of the game in the second period, and it was a beauty. After stripping the defenceman of the puck at the blue line, he burst on goal with speed and left the goaltender helpless after a big-league move.
Elias Pettersson gör två mål på 1,5 minut. Har någon 19-åring varit så här dominant i #SHL? #twittpuck pic.twitter.com/ElBAUKygbl
— C More Sport (@cmoresport) April 22, 2018
Less than two minutes later, Pettersson scored again – also on a breakaway.
Minutes later – Pettersson scores his second of the game#Canucks pic.twitter.com/ZF3TAuOoSk
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) April 22, 2018
Pettersson’s first goal stood up as the winner, in a 5-0 win for the Vaxjo Lakers to cap off a four-game sweep of Skelleftea in the SHL Final. With 19 points in 13 playoff games, Pettersson scored more points than anyone else during the postseason, and was named the playoff MVP.
Rocking the gold helmet for the SHL championship- Pettersson accepts the SHL playoff MVP award#Canucks pic.twitter.com/z1IaBagd2m
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) April 22, 2018
His 19th point also set a new all-time SHL playoff scoring record for a junior-aged player, breaking the record held by Axel Holmstrom.
He broke the all-time SHL regular season scoring record for a junior a few weeks back, now he has the postseason record too – Elias Pettersson #Canucks #NHL https://t.co/qZkWsWYtNp pic.twitter.com/MtnfZRICjb
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) April 22, 2018
When you consider what he did during the regular season – breaking a 42-year-old U20 record and winning the scoring title – this has to be considered the most dominant season ever by a teenager in the top Swedish pro league.
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
Pettersson’s next stop could be at the World Championships for Team Sweden. He’s likely played his last game in the SHL, as next season he’s expected to make the jump to North America. If he shows well in training camp, expect him to start the year with the Canucks in the NHL.
Most points by an U20 player in SHL history. ✔️
Most points by an U20 player in Swedish playoff history. ✔️
Playoff MVP. ✔️
Swedish champion. 🏆Thanks for the show, Elias Pettersson. 🌟#canucks
— Uffe Bodin (@UffeBodin) April 22, 2018