Elias Pettersson wins Canucks' hardest shot competition (VIDEO)

Vancouver Canucks / Instagram

There’s a new hardest shot champion on the Vancouver Canucks and he just so happens to be the skinniest guy on the team.

Ummmm, @_EPettersson can SHOOT THE PUCK.

He’s your new #Canucks hardest shot champion. We will be watching this on repeat for the foreseeable future. 😏 pic.twitter.com/kcaopHYtOK

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

Here’s another look:

Another look at that 99.4 mph 💣 from Petey. pic.twitter.com/TpUeFixlgb

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

Size hasn’t stopped Elias Pettersson from excelling as a rookie in the NHL, and it hasn’t hurt his shot either. The 176-pound centre clocked the hardest shot at the Canucks’ annual SuperSkills event, ripping a 99.4 mph slap shot to win the competition.

Pettersson beat the likes of Michael Del Zotto (97.5), Ben Hutton (96.3), Alex Edler (94.2), Biega (93.8), and Tim Schaller (93.2).

Just goes to show that technique matters more than size when it comes to shooting the puck. Pettersson has 22 points in 23 games with the Canucks so far this season.

Though size and strength doesn’t hurt either.

Six-foot-five defenceman Erik Gudbranson, who was injured and did not participate this year, won last season’s competition with a 103.4 mph slapper. The team record is held Jason Garrison, who blasted a 105.1 mph shot in 2014.

Imagine what Pettersson’s shot might look like after he puts on more muscle in the coming years.

He's quick. 1️⃣8️⃣ flew around the ice to defend his #Canucks fastest skater crown. pic.twitter.com/4sThFPerHU

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

Donning a red Superman cape, Jake Virtanen won the fastest skater competition for a second straight year. His 13.465-second lap blew away the competition, which included Tyler Motte (14.225), Nikolay Goldobin (14.332), Derrick Pouliot (14.878), Adam Gaudette (15.130), and Alex Biega (15.602).

Another repeat winner! @BoHorvat went 4-for-4 to win the SuperSkills accuracy competition. 🎯🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/rOWn04bBH2

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

Bo Horvat defended his crown in the accuracy shooting competition, going a perfect four-for-four in 11 seconds.

With 25 points in 29 games, Horvat is one of three Canucks on the NHL All-Star ballot revealed this weekend. He could participate in this event at the Skills Competition in San Jose next month.

.@troystecher channeled his inner @NLLWarriors skills to win the @EASPORTSNHL shootout challenge. Look for an increase in Stech's #NHL19 rating 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/NfWCgfjeUK

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2018

The family-friendly event also included a shootout challenge, where players showed off their creativity. The most inventive move came from Troy Stecher, who helped the Canucks cross-promote their new lacrosse team with a bank-shot off the back glass.

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