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Canucks: Emergence of big-hitting blueliner Elias Pettersson no surprise

The Swedish defenceman is adding offensive flair to his game that's predicated on being hard to play against

Published Oct 19, 2026  •  4 minute read

Elias Pettersson celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with Brock Boeser on Oct. 15, 2026 in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Carmen Mandato /Getty Images

It was evident from the outset.

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In his initial Vancouver Canucks development camp experience, blossoming blueliner Elias Pettersson played as advertised. He skated well and moved pucks with authority.

He also dished out heavy hits with a resounding thud, a precursor to what has become a regular NHL sight because they pack plenty of bite.

Pettersson doesn’t just lean into the opposition when he gets forwards in the crosshairs. He delivers hits with crushing impact as his game continues to emerge as a defender also developing an offensive upside. But those hits are hard to ignore.

“I always think I have that compete in me,” Pettersson told Postmedia on Monday following a long and needed practice at Rogers Arena. “I’ve always wanted to battle hard and hit people and I feel like it’s always been one of my things. Maybe not always the biggest hits, but always have contact.

“The timing comes with my skating and working into position to lay the hit and not get out of position. I like steady defencemen who play a steady game and play hard. I don’t chase hits. When they come, they come and it’s just natural for me.”

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Pettersson, 22, leads club blueliners with 21 hits through 10 games and his 136 in 2025-26 were third most overall on the Canucks, who were led by Kiefer Sherwood (210) and Aatu Raty (165).

Pettersson also scored twice on the gruelling six-game road trip. He connected short-handed off the rush and also got to the slot to convert a sweet feed. On Thursday in Florida, he found open ice at the top of the crease to snap home a Filip Chytil backhand pass from the corner boards.

And on Oct. 11 at Madison Square Garden, he broke out on an odd-man penalty kill foray and deposited a cross-ice pass from Brendan Gallagher with a quick and accurate wrist shot. Pettersson has three goals in 10 games after just three all of last season.

So, what gives?

Where is the offence coming from? After all, Pettersson has just seven goals in 108 career NHL games.

“Confidence and just being more active jumping into places and activating my feet from the blueline and reading plays,” reasoned the 6-foot-2, 185 pound Vasteras, Sweden, native.

Pettersson did have 10 goals in 37 games with Orebko HK in the Swedish junior loop during the 2021-22 season. He was already a known hitter, so the added offence piqued the Canucks’ interest to become a third-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Pettersson grew up admiring countrymen Erik Karlsson, who has piled up 1,168 games and 945 points (215-730) with three NHL clubs and captured the Norris Trophy on three occasions as an elite defender.

“He was my idol when I tried to look up to my role and I’m indebted to him,” Pettersson stressed of Karlsson’s infectious drive and ambition to influence younger players while still playing at age 38.

Defenceman Zeev Buium isn’t surprised that Pettersson is showing an offensive side.

“He just playing great,” said Buium. “He’s a hell of a player and hell of a person obviously. His compete is super high with his work ethic and he’s just using his strengths. Everyone can just see he’s playing with that confidence and finding those holes and burying his chances.

“He’s one of those guys that when he scores, you’re extra happy for him. He deserves it. And a big part is his physicality and getting under guys’ skin — he definitely pisses a lot of people off out there — and that probably does give him confidence. Big guy who’s strong and a great skater.

“That’s an element on our team that we need. He definitely brings that.”

Pettersson has also found himself in a first pairing with Filip Hronek, which speaks to an ability to listen, learn and react with his demanding partner. Tougher matchups against top players can be a strain and drain.

“I love it,” it said Pettersson. “It comes with a big responsibility and a good challenge for me. You have to be ready all the time and have your mind in a good spot. With Filip, it’s a good mix of being close and quick in the D-zone and moving the puck. It feels good.”

The Canucks are indebted to Pettersson by the way he answered the bell on March 12, 2025 in Calgary.

He delivered a heavy and clean defensive-zone check on charging Flames centre Nazem Kadri in opening period of a Canucks’ 4-3 shootout victory. He then absorbed a cheap shot when Connor Zary responded to the hit with a vicious elbow to the back of his head.

Pettersson was done after just 4:06 of ice time, and was evaluated for an injury that could have been anything from a concussion to something more serious. He missed just two games and Zary was suspended for two games.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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