The Vancouver Canucks have selected Swedish centre Elias Pettersson with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft.
The @Canucks go with a big center at No. 5, Elias Pettersson. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Bni7T30VeV
— NHL (@NHL) June 23, 2017
The first two picks went as expected, with Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick being selected 1-2. From there two defencemen, Miro Heiskanen and Cale Makar, were selected by Dallas and Colorado, respectively.
Canucks General Manager Jim Benning then chose Pettersson, who was ranked 2nd amongst European players coming into the draft and has been compared to fellow Swedish centreman Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals.
"It was a special moment" - @_EPettersson reflects on being drafted by the #Canucks. pic.twitter.com/KqaQT5BtlO
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 24, 2017
Pettersson recorded 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games in Sweden this past season playing for Timra IK in the Allsvenskan league.
The Canucks have no other first-round picks, but will draft twice in the second round (33rd and 55th overall) on Saturday morning.
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