As Elias Pettersson heads into a pivotal 2025–26 NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks forward is reflecting on both the challenges and the privileges of playing in a passionate Canadian hockey market.
Pettersson, 26, is coming off a disappointing 2024–25 campaign where he registered just 15 goals and 30 assists across 64 games. Drafted fifth overall by Vancouver in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Swedish forward once bore the weight of sky-high expectations. Now, with a portion of the fanbase growing restless, he finds himself at a career crossroads—but he remains optimistic.
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In a recent interview with HockeySverige’s Uffe Bodin, originally conducted in Swedish and translated via Google, Pettersson maintained a positive outlook on the intense scrutiny from Vancouver fans.
“I only see it as positive,” Pettersson said. “It’s a city that’s passionate about hockey. It’s hockey in Canada and it doesn’t get any better.”
Canadian NHL markets are known for their passionate and often critical fans—a reality that has swayed some players’ decisions to re-sign. Yet for Pettersson, recognition is a privilege.
“You get recognized because you play ice hockey and you live your childhood dream,” he explained. “I take it with a kick in the heels.”
Pettersson also highlighted the impact of Swedish veterans during his early days in Vancouver, notably goaltender Jacob Markström, who helped ease his transition to life in North America.
“They set the standard for me and helped me feel at home,” he recalled.
While Vancouver fell one win short of the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Pettersson was moved by the city’s playoff atmosphere—his first real experience playing postseason hockey in front of fans, after COVID restrictions muted his earlier playoff run.
“When we played in the playoffs last year, it was the absolute coolest thing I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “You saw cars driving with Canucks flags. It’s incredibly cool.”
As one of the longest-tenured players on the Canucks’ roster, trailing only Thatcher Demko and Brock Boeser in seniority, Pettersson knows the expectations. But instead of shying away from the pressure, he’s embracing it.
With a fresh season ahead and the fanbase watching closely, Pettersson is ready to prove he still belongs at the heart of the Canucks’ future.
