The 19-year-old was one of a handful of Vancouver Canucks who skated informally Tuesday morning at Rogers Arena. No coaches, just players and pucks, and no one was happier to be out there than Pettersson, who arrived in Vancouver last Thursday and has been playing Fortnite with fellow prospect Jonathan Dahlen ever since.
The rookie Swedes will be representing the Canucks at the 2018 Young Stars Classic this upcoming weekend in Penticton, BC, so they relished the chance to hit the ice here before hitting the ice there. Pettersson stressed his need to adjust to NHL-sized ice.
"I'm very excited," said Pettersson, the reigning SHL Rookie of the Year, Forward of the Year, and was awarded Guldpucken (league MVP), who signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks in May. "I've always dreamed of playing in the NHL and now I'm one step closer. I'm trying to make the most of it now.
"My main goal is to make the team and obviously it's not up to me, but I'm doing my best to be here as quickly as possible. I know I need to get used to North American ice and it's very positive to have some games before main camp. It's a different game. Smaller ice, more physical, feels quicker, so I need to be ready from the start and adjust my game as I go."
Pettersson, who swapped numbers with prospect Jonah Gadjovich and is now no. 40, focused on adding strength and speed to his game this summer, while also packing on as many pounds as possible. He achieved all three goals and declared himself 100 per cent healed from the thumb injury he suffered at the World Championship in Denmark.
The youngster is ready to rock and has trouble containing his eagerness.
"I've been reading stuff on Twitter and it's good that they're excited because I am too."
Click here for tickets to see Pettersson at the 2018 Young Stars Classic
, he's expected to be joined by the likes of Dahlen, Olli Juolevi, Adam Gaudette, Kole Lind and Michael DiPietro. Vancouver's first game is Friday night versus Winnipeg.
