It doesn't get much better than to score on your NHL debut, but that’s exactly what happened for Elias Pettersson last night.
The former Växjö Lakers forward started for the Vancouver Canucks in their season opener against the Calgary Flames overnight, and found the net just 13:48 into his first NHL game. He later assisted on the Canucks’ second goal as his side ran out 5-2 winners.
That Pettersson got off to such a flying start is not much of a surprise to anyone who followed him in Europe last year. Aside from winning the SHL title with the Lakers, and a host of awards in Sweden, the now 19-year-old also helped his side reach the final of the Champions Hockey League. Wearing the LGT Top Scorer Jersey for a large part of the CHL season, Pettersson hit six goals to lead his team in scoring in the 11 games he played.
Our cameras also went up to Växjö to see how the fifth overall draft pick was getting on in his first CHL & SHL season: