Gone are the days of Vancouver relying solely on seasoned AHL veterans and recycled journeymen to fill the necessary holes in their lineup. This season, a new wave of talent has emerged—young, hungry players who are finally ready to contribute valuable minutes when called upon.

This year, we’ve already seen Aatu Räty establish himself as a capable centreman, while Jonathan Lekkerimäki has taken his first tentative steps in the NHL. Now, it’s time for another name to enter the mix: Elias Pettersson, the defenceman, recently got his first taste of the big leagues. Well, at least his first promotion to soak up the NHL environment.

With Derek Forbort landing on Injured Reserve and six healthy defenders remaining, Rick Tocchet has described Pettersson’s promotion as a precautionary measure. While he still may be some time from enjoying his first NHL game, it’s worth asking: Is he ready for this? And why was he chosen for the call-up?

A Season of Growth and Consistency

Just 20 years old, he has spent the last few months adapting to the North American game, joining Abbotsford late in the 2023-24 season and now thriving as a full-time member of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate. Before jumping across the Atlantic, Pettersson developed his game in Sweden’s SHL and Allsvenskan leagues, with an appearance for Sweden at the World Junior Championships mixed in, where he helped secure a silver medal on home ice.

Now, in Abbotsford, he has established himself as a strong presence and has arguably been Abbotsford’s most consistent defender. His game may not be filled with flashy, highlight-reel moments, but what he does bring to the table is an impressive blend of two-way play, physicality, and smart decision-making.

Since game one, Pettersson has been a staple on Abbotsford’s second pairing and penalty-killing units. He’s averaging just under 18 minutes of ice time per game but recently enjoyed his first taste of top pair deployment, where he saw nearly 22 minutes.

The transition was never truly a concern for a player of his ilk. Simply put, he plays a “meat and potatoes” style of hockey—physical, responsible, and highly effective, which screams pro-ready.

Steady Presence on the Blue Line

Aside from the obvious physical elements, what makes the Swedish rearguard game is his gap control. Whether he’s defending in his own zone, pushing forward in neutral ice, or closing down an opponent in the offensive zone, Pettersson is relentless. Sometimes, it’s with his body; others by utilizing his stick to inflict pressure. Regardless of how, he doesn’t give opposing forwards much room to operate, using his positioning to pressure them into making rushed, ineffective plays. As is expected with a rookie defender, the speed of the AHL game has gotten the best of him at times, but more often than not, his tight gaps and aggressive approach have led to positive results.

And, of course, it’s not just about the positioning—Pettersson also knows how to make his physical presence felt in a big way.

Despite being just 20 years old, the 6-foot-3, 209-pound defender is quickly building a reputation as a player who won’t hesitate to make a big hit and get under opponents’ skin. It’s become a known fact, and surely one that the competition talks about in their pre-game chats: keep your head on a swivel when the big Swede is on the ice.

He’s not only capable of landing punishing checks in open ice, along the boards, or in the corners but will do his best to agitate and make life extremely tough when battling for position. He consistently keeps himself in the middle of the action, whether it’s clearing out bodies in front of the net or breaking up the cycle with a well-timed hip check.