Lucas Pettersson, a 2024 draft pick by the Ducks, has signed a two-year contract with Brynäs IF in the SHL.
Previously with MoDo where he spent the past seasons and began his junior hockey career with, Pettersson split the 2024-25 season between MoDo and on loan with Östersunds IK in the HockeyAllsvenskan.
A player capable of contributing both on offense and defense, Pettersson struggled to generate much offensively at the SHL level in 2024-25. He managed just one point in 29 games and did most of his damage offensively with Östersunds. It should be noted that he was in completely different roles for the two clubs, spending most of his games this season with MoDo on the fourth line. He had a much more prominent role with Östersunds, which allowed him to produce more.
By signing with Brynäs, Pettersson will be playing alongside a slew of former Ducks. Veteran Jakob Silfverberg returned to his hometown club last season after announcing his retirement from the NHL. Defensemen Axel Andersson and Christian Djoos and former Ducks draft pick Jack Kopacka will also play for Brynäs in 2025-26.
Ducks' Silfverberg can be proud of impression he's left
Jakob Silfverberg concludes his 12-year NHL career tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.
“It feels good that everything is finished,” Pettersson said in an interview on Brynäs’ official website (translated from Swedish). “It gives me a sense of security and peace that it is now official.”
“It was of course a sad end to the season and there have been a lot of discussions back and forth. But I feel very confident in this decision. I, along with my advisor and everyone around me, believe that this is an environment where I can take big steps both as a player and a person.”
Pettersson pointed to Brynäs’ success of coming back to the SHL from relegation to the HockeyAllsvenskan as inspiring, calling them a “winning club.”
It will be inspiring to be part of the continuation now.- Lucas Pettersson on joining Brynäs
“It's been up and down, but in the last few years I've really felt it starting to take off,” Pettersson said. “I've grown as a player and a person every day. My first senior season, which was this year, was a bit choppy, but I still think I'm closer to getting a foothold in the SHL, which is my goal.”
Building up strength will be a priority, as it is for many young players, for Pettersson this offseason. He has a slight frame and at 5-foot-11, he isn’t the biggest player either.
The inconsistent ice time he received with MoDo at the senior level will serve as motivation as he begins his new journey with Brynäs. He’ll have his sights set on making the Swedish world juniors team as well after being left off of last year’s roster.
After attending development camp last summer following his selection at 35th overall in the 2024 draft, Pettersson will likely attend this summer’s development camp as well.
“It was the coolest thing I've ever experienced, but also a testament to what I've done up until then,” Pettersson said. “I see it as a taste of what's ahead and the work really starts now.”
Three Ducks Players Who Could Benefit Most from Quenneville Hire