Canucks Advent Day 21: Top 25 Players Of The 2010’s

Each day until Christmas I will rank one player until we have the top 25 of the 2010’s. These Vancouver icons will be ranked on their statistics, impact on the city and overall play during their time with Vancouver. Rankings will be based on the player’s Vancouver tenure during the 2010’s only, prior seasons with the team will make little impact to the rankings.

5. Elias Pettersson (2018 – Present)

Statistics: 107 GP, 44 G, 59 A, 103 PTS

In 2014, the Vancouver Canucks hired a new General Manager who supposedly specialized in drafting. This GM, Jim Benning, made his greatest selection during the 2017 Entry Draft. The Canucks were set to select at five. There was not a clear-cut player for Benning to select, everyone from 5-10 were seemingly interchangeable. He decided to select a Swedish forward. Elias Pettersson. When the lanky Swede stepped onto the stage fans were skeptical. Pettersson would change their opinion throughout the following seasons.

Canucks fans were excited to hear of his success overseas during the next season. Pettersson was fantastic and led his team the championship in the Swedish Hockey League. Pettersson was painted gold after the playoffs for his performance. He recorded 19 points in his 13 playoff games. Pettersson would also play st an elite level during the 2018 World juniors. The Swede posted a point per game with five goals. As a result of these occurrences, it was safe to say Canucks fans were excited.

Becoming an NHL Star

Pettersson tore the house down in his Canucks debut. He scored in the first shift of his very first game. If fans weren’t already invested in this rookie already, they were after his debut. His rookie season consisted of him electrifying arenas on a regular basis. From multi-point nights and highlight-reel plays to a hat-trick against Ottawa and making the all-star team, Pettersson could seemingly do it all. Although Pettersson was forced to sit out 11 games, he would still finish with 66 points and the Calder Trophy. Pettersson is only the second Canuck in their 50 year history to win a Calder Trophy.

Through his current 2019-20 campaign Elias Pettersson has played very well. At this moment he is the team leader in points and goals. Pettersson has 16 goals with 37 points. This is an impressive total to have through 36 goals. If the sophomore Swede can maintain over a point per game it would surely make analysts and fans excited. Pettersson is looking to continue running the Canucks offence and is aiming to push them into a playoff spot. For his phenomenal play only a season and a half into his NHL career, Elias Pettersson is the fifth most impactful Canuck of the 2010’s

Who’s Next?

I hope that you have enjoyed this installment of the Canucks Advent Calendar! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next player on the list!

Previous Rankings: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6  Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19 Day 20

Discuss this Canucks Advent Calendar and more at the Overtime Heroics Forums!

Follow us on Twitter @OTHeroics1 @AndersenEagle and Instagram @othsports @eagle.andersen

Check out more Canucks Advent articles in our Hockey section!

And don’t forget to head over to our shop if you are interested in purchasing some Overtime Heroics gear!