Lucas Elvenes Stays Eager For New Challenges

Lucas Elvenes is used to playing at a level above his own. It's something that has helped his name appear consistently when looking among the Golden Knights most promising prospects.
Born in Angelholm, Sweden, Elvenes has spent the majority of his hockey career close to home where hockey runs in the family. The 6-1 forward grew up playing in Angelholm, where he spent his draft season playing with Rögle BK J20 in Sweden's premier junior league. Elvenes put up 45 points (15 G, 30 A) in 41 games as a 17-year-old.
His hard work was recognized by his club as he was called up to the professional level for the remainder of the Swedish Hockey League season, the same league in which Golden Knights forward William Karlsson once played. Elvenes appeared in 12 games down the stretch with Rögle BK, playing alongside his older brother Ludvig. As a 17-year-old, Lucas Elvenes was the youngest player on the ice for his hometown professional team.

Leading up to the draft, his production also went noticed overseas at the NHL level. George McPhee and the Golden Knights saw Elvenes fall into their hands during the fifth round of the 2017 NHL Draft and selected him with the 127th overall pick. The next stop for Elvenes was the Las Vegas Ice Center for the team's inaugural summer development camp.
"I remember how it was the first time I was here," Elvenes said this past June. "I know what I have to do to take a bigger leadership role here, take care of the young guys that are coming in."
After he spent his post draft summer focusing on his strength, something Elvenes still considers a priority today, the Golden Knights prospect took a step up with Rögle BK in the 2017-18 season. He appeared in 28 games and collected 16 points (5 G, 11 A) as an 18-year-old. His .571 points per game was third among all players under 20 years old in the SHL, behind only Elias Petterson and Lias Andersson.
The production on the ice in the SHL took another spike during the 2018-19 season as he put together 20 points (3 G, 17 A) in 42 games.
Elvenes returned to Vegas this summer for his third professional development camp in as many years acknowledging what he needs to improve on in the future instead of looking back at his accomplishments.
"There are a lot of things I want to be better at and practice every day at," said Elvenes, who turns 20 on August 18. "Especially my shot, developing my language and getting to know everything around here. It's always a bigger step being out here where you are so close to the NHL."
The mindset that placed Elvenes in Sweden's premier league as a 17-year-old will also place him back at City National Arena in September, where he expects to compete for a spot with the Chicago Wolves.