Vancouver Canucks' Marcus Pettersson explains where "Dragon" nickname comes from
The Vancouver Canucks blue line looks very solid after locking up Marcus Pettersson to a long-term contract last night.
The 28-year-old signed a six-year, $5.5 million AAV deal, which will keep him in Vancouver for the foreseeable future. With Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek also signed for the next couple of seasons, the Canucks have the basis of a solid defence corps.
While Pettersson’s long-term deal provides a potential solution for the Canucks defensive woes, it also creates a new problem. The team now has three Petterssons on the roster and it’s a logistical nightmare telling them all apart.
Teammates have tried giving them different nicknames. Marcus has gone by “Petey” in the past, but that’s also what the superstar forward Elias uses. While he hasn’t been quick to advertise it, there is another nickname Marcus has had in the past which could solve this issue: “The Dragon.”
“It’s fine with me,” said the Swedish defenceman today when asked if he was okay with it.
“It’s something that comes from my days in Anaheim. It was Trent Yawney, the assistant coach there, he asked me if I was good at basketball or whatever. I kind of jokingly said that my PE teacher back in middle school called me ‘the dragon’ when we played basketball.”
“He loved it, and I was young at the time, didn’t know better that it would stick.”
Drew O’Connor, who came to the Canucks alongside Pettersson in the recent trade, spread the news of Pettersson’s nickname to their new teammates in Vancouver. Some of the training staff who were with the Penguins are also now with the Canucks and have been using it.
“It’s kind of funny but hopefully it doesn’t stick too long,” finished Marcus.
The Canucks are hoping “The Dragon” is exactly the type of player they need to solidify their defence. With his 6-foot-5 frame, long stick, and savvy defensive play, he’s the prototypical shutdown player this team has been looking for.
The signing has fans excited, and Pettersson is just as excited to be with this group long-term. He sees a lot of potential.
“Expectations are high. It’s a young, hungry group. Looking to win every game we can and looking to go far in the playoffs. So expectations are high, that’s kinda my decision in signing with the team. It’s a young, hungry group.”