Pettersson's golden year

Elias Pettersson has had a season to remember in Sweden.

\UPDATE\ - In addition to all the amazingness below, Pettersson was named SHL Rookie of the Year, Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player on April 30th! Congrats Elias!
Concluding this weekend with a standout performance in Game 4 of the SHL finals where the Canucks prospect scored the game winning goal on a breakaway that showcased his quick read of the play, smooth puck handling, and decisive dekes. Forty-five seconds later, Pettersson scored another goal on a partial break to help lead the Växjö Lakers to a 5-0 series clinching win.

The Lakers scored a total of 20 goals over the course of their four game sweep of the SHL finals, and Pettersson was part of 10 of those goals. That followed scoring the game winning goal in overtime in the Semi-Finals to send Växjö onto the Finals.
Due to being tightly checked and hounded by Brynäs IF and Malmö defenders in the first two rounds, he started the playoffs a little slow, but picked it up when it mattered and was unstoppable in the last few games of the Lakers playoff run.
Consistently carrying the puck with speed and dishing to his teammates or using his lethal wrist shot to beat goalies clean, allowed Pettersson to create offence in a variety of ways and work through the focus that was being placed on him. Some of his best plays didn't end up in the back of net but there was a sense of anticipation anytime he had the puck that something was going to happen.
Pettersson finished the SHL playoffs with ten goals and nine assists in thirteen games - which led all players and earned him the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as the SHL Playoff MVP. He was the youngest player to receive the award since it was introduced in 2010.

Those nineteen points were the most points in a single playoff by any player under 20 in the history of the SHL and was done in two fewer games than Axel Holmström when he had eighteen points in 2014-15.
This remarkable record setting performance comes after a regular season that saw the former 5th overall pick set even more records.
With 56 points in 44 games in the regular season, Pettersson set the record for the most points by any U20 player in a single season in SHL history. He did it on the back of a four-point performance to close out the year. The record was held by former NHL forward Kent Nilsson, but Pettersson passed players like Peter Forsberg, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin in the last few weeks to set the record.
Despite leading the SHL in scoring and setting those records, Pettersson wasn't named the SHL MVP for the year. However, the Swedish hockey player of the year award has not been named yet and it's fair to that Pettersson will be in the running.
Like the playoffs, the Canucks prospect took a few games to get his feet under him to start the season, but by mid November, he was consistently the best player on the ice.
Known for his play-making abilities, Pettersson was able to develop his shot to the point where he finished the season with the second most goals.
Combining SHL regular season games, Champions Hockey League games, and SHL playoff games - Pettersson put up 40 goals and 44 assists in 68 games.
When the Canucks selected the Swede at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, there was comments about his lack of size and how that may result in him taking longer to develop. What stood out in his play this year is his ability to not put himself in situations where he may get overpowered. Elusive and deceptive are perfect descriptors about his skill to slip away from defenders trying to check him.
If his opponent was able to engage him, Pettersson had the awareness to angle his skates or body to push back against the oncoming player. He would use his stick to keep the puck moving or move to a teammate to get out from the coverage as quick as possible.
Like any player in their draft plus one season, there will be more to develop in his game but those concerns are not something to focus on. The hockey IQ that Pettersson regularly displays should overcome any size problems.
Elias Pettersson ends the 2017-18 campaign with the most points and goals by a junior player, most points in the SHL regular season and playoffs, the SHL playoff MVP, the SHL Best plus/minus, World Juniors Silver Medal winner and SHL champion.
Fair to say - that's a pretty good list of accolades for any player.
With any prospect, there is a need to temper expectations and be patient. But the organization's top prospect had a season that may never be forgotten in Sweden and Canucks fans hope that Pettersson can bring some of that success across the pond soon.