Canucks' Pettersson passes Forsberg, has 4 games left to get all-time record
Elias Pettersson is in elite company.
The 19-year-old prospect, who the Canucks picked fifth overall at the NHL Draft last June, has had a tremendous year in Sweden, as we’ve told you before. He’s been ripping up the top professional league against men in his homeland all season.
He’s been scoring goals like this:
Pettersson gets tripped, gets up, stops… and then roofs it!#Canucks pic.twitter.com/z9H6YiyNJW
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) February 27, 2018
With just four games left in the SHL season, he’s closing in on some impressive all-time records.
Pettersson has passed totals put up by the greatest Swedish Canucks players of all-time, including Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Markus Naslund, and Thomas Gradin.
Image: EliteProspects.com
On Thursday, he added a goal and an assist, helping his first-place team to a 2-1 win. Those points pushed him to 50 on the season, the second-most ever by a teenager in league history, passing Peter Forsberg on the all-time list.
His goal came on the power play, tying the game at one.
Elias Pettersson loads up the shot and just snipes it.
He hit the part where the bar and post meet perfectly.#Canucks pic.twitter.com/ZnneeqTAm4
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) March 1, 2018
His assist also came with the man advantage, as he one-timed a shot that was deflected by a teammate in front.
Pettersson picks up a primary assist on the slap pass to Shinnimin#Canucks pic.twitter.com/x6ze7LCWTZ
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) March 1, 2018
Pettersson now sits just four points back of the all-time U20 record, set by Kent Nilsson. It’s a record that has stood for 42 years.
Also on the line in the final four games for Pettersson is the league’s scoring title.
Image: EliteProspects.com
Pettersson has battled his way back near the top of the list after missing games due to the World Juniors. He trails Ryan Lasch by one point, with the 31-year-old recently picking up an injury that will keep him out an unknown amount of time.
If Pettersson wins the scoring title, he’ll be the first teenager to accomplish the feat since 1976.
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