The Ducks kicked off their day two at the 2024 NHL Draft by selecting Lucas Pettersson from MoDo of the SHL and J20 Nationell League.
The Ducks kicked off their day two at the 2024 NHL Draft by selecting Lucas Pettersson from MoDo of the SHL and J20 Nationell League.
The Anaheim Ducks started their second day of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by selecting center Lucas Pettersson from MoDo of the SHL and J20 Nationell League in Sweden.
Pettersson scored 27 goals and 30 assists in 44 J20 Nationell games and served as his team's alternate captain. He also played a handful of SHL games for MoDo, but failed to register a point as he never topped six minutes per game of TOI.
Pettersson finished his 2023-24 campaign representing Sweden at the U18 World Championship, where he totaled eight points in seven games. He also wore an "A" for his team as they won a bronze medal at the tournament.
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"I've matured over the years," Pettersson stated when asked about his leadership quality. "I'm a lead by example guy."
The aspect of Pettersson's game that jumps off the screen is his skating. His stride is explosive and powerful. He uses it to win races to loose pucks, lead rushes, and to help his defensemen on the backcheck.
Modeling his game after Vegas Golden Knights' center William Karlsson, he is patient and confident with the puck on his stick, diagnoses a defense, and dictates the rate of play when on the ice.
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While not a dangler, he uses his puck skills to evade defenders and protect pucks.
"I'd say I'm a mature two-way center with a high hockey IQ," Pettersson said when asked about his play style.
Pettersson is signed to an SHL contract that is set to expire after the 2026-27 season.
"I think right now it's physical stuff," Pettersson said when asked what he felt he needed to work on before adjusting to North American Hockey. "Getting bigger and stronger while playing against bigger guys. Working in tight spaces and situations where you don't have as much time."
Pettersson was the first Swedish player drafted in the 2024 NHL Draft.
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