Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson wasted no time showing he belonged in the NHL.

Pettersson, taken by the Vancouver Canucks with the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, scored a goal and had an assist in his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 3, 2018, then scored twice and had an assist against Calgary three nights later.

He scored five goals in his first five games before a concussion kept him out for two weeks. In his second game back, Pettersson scored twice, then had a five-point night (two goals, three assists) in a 7-6 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 2.

Pettersson had a second five-point game (one goal, four assists) against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 9, 2018, and scored three goals for his first NHL hat trick against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 2, 2019. By the NHL All-Star break, he had scored 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists), most among NHL rookies and more than enough to earn a selection in the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game (he was selected again in 2020). He finished with 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) in 71 games and was voted winner of the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL.

Pettersson gave Vancouver a tentpole player to build around following the retirement of the Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin after the 2017-18 season. He formed chemistry with linemates Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller early in 2019-20 and was second on the Canucks with 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) when the season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.