Vancouver Canucks Sign (Very) Familiar Name To 3-Year Deal

If he can live up to the name, he'll have it made in Vancouver. 19-year-old defense prospect Elias Pettersson was the Vancouver Canucks' 3rd-round, 80th overall selection in the NHL Entry Draft last year, and he'll now become the second Elias Pettersson to be employed by the team after signing an entry-level contract.

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has signed defenceman Elias Pettersson to a three-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/hUrzyDqiPX

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 19, 2023

No relation at all to the Canucks' 24-year-old 100-point man of the same exact name, Pettersson has agreed to a three-year ELC. The contract has a $950,000 AAV, with an $870,000 cap hit. 

.@DhaliwalSports was so proud of himself after breaking the Elias Pettersson (D) signing to @DonTaylor5 😂https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/eNySzu2EGq

— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) April 19, 2023

The Canucks other Pettersson, the star center, is already in the middle of his own 3-year contract, but for a bit more cash, at $22M in total.  

It's expected that Pettersson (the young D-man) will spend next year playing in his native Sweden, where he spent this past season, though he'll spend this summer in B.C. to train with Canucks' staff. 

"We are very happy to have Elias sign with us as he takes another step forward in his hockey career," said general manager Patrick Allvin. "We really liked the year he had on the ice in both representing his country at the World Juniors and playing important minutes in the SHL. Our development team is excited about the opportunity to continue to work with him and create a stronger relationship and partnership." 

He won't be the most well-known Elias Pettersson in Vancouver for quite some time, but the team is certainly happy to have him on board. 

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports