”I never forget those that have helped me get here”
Växjö’s Elias Pettersson is ready for his first Swedish Championship final. The SHL’s leading point scorer knows what it takes to beat Skellefteå.
VÄXJÖ. No one has scored more points than the Växjö teenager and the praise for him never ends. But 19 year old Elias Pettersson cares more for the team than the individual.
“In a team you do everything together. You grow close, and you want to go the full distance as a group.”
On Tuesday night the first step will be taken toward that Swedish Championship gold that he is longing for as Växjö squares off against Skellefteå in the first game of the final.
“The worst thing I know is losing. I am not a good loser,” Elias Pettersson says with a smile.
“I’m an emotional person, and when good or bad things happen to me, it shows,” he continues.
It’s the day before the first Swedish Championship final. In Vida Arena Växjö’s hockey team. It’s the last practice session before the first game of the final, which will be played in Växjö on Tuesday night.
The pace is high and the players are focused. You can see they are preparing for something important. Practice goes on for one hour, but Elias Pettersson stays on the ice much longer.
“I like to stay longer and get some extra practice. I’ve always done it, so it has become routine for me. Besides, I’m the youngest player on the team, and the three youngest players always have to stay behind to take care of the pucks.”
You haven’t tried to get out of the puck picking, saying that as the SHL points leader you shouldn’t have to do that?
“I’d never do that,” Elias Pettersson answers, and the look he gives me clearly shows how stupid he finds my suggestion.
Elias Pettersson is one of the greatest hockey talents Sweden has brought forth in recent years. In the summer of 2017 he was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks as the fifth player in the first round, but the NHL team thought he needed another season in Sweden before being ready for NHL play.
To prepare for what will come he therefore left Timrå of Allsvenskan, where he had played for several years and joined the SHL team Växjö.
His first year in the SHL can easily be summed up as a huge success. Despite missing several games because of the WJC Elias Pettersson won the SHL points scoring title with his 56 points. Already when he reached 55 he had beaten Kent Nilsson’s previous record for a junior in the SHL.
“At some points I have paused to think about how great this season has gone for me. But I’m not satisfied yet. I want to win gold at any cost,” Elias Pettersson says.
The determined look on his face turns into a smile.
“As I said, I don’t like to lose.”
While Elias Pettersson has been raking in points in the SHL, his old team Timrå has approached a new spring. Barely two weeks ago Timrå qualified to play in the SHL next season and Elias Pettersson’s reaction as he found out during a TV interview right after his own game, showed the emotional side of the teenager. The 19 year old was moved and overjoyed.
“Timrå helped me become the player I am today, and that they are back in the SHL, where they belong, means a lot to me.”
“I never forget those that have helped me get here, and I am grateful for that help. It’s important for me to show this. And I intend to take great care to continue to do so throughout my career, “ he continues emphatically.
On Tuesday the puck drops for the first Swedish Championship final.
Elias Pettersson is ready for his greatest challenge so far, possibly contested by the WJC final.
“Of course it happens that I get nervous ahead of important games. I see that as something positive. It shows that I am ready,” he says.
What will be important for you against Skellefteå?
“We know it’s a good team that always works hard.They have a very good top line, but they really have four lines that can produce, so if we are to win, in short, we must work just as hard as they do. Or preferably even harder.”
“We will make it hard for Skellefteå.”
Malin Fransson
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