NHL makes a big announcement on Canucks forward Elias Pettersson

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Cooper Godin
May 4, 2024 (8:20)

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On Saturday, the National Hockey League continued their announcements of the award nominees for the 2023-24 season. Over the last week, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko and Rick Tocchet have seen themselves nominated and today, it was Elias Pettersson's turn.

In a post on social media, the National Hockey League announced that Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, along with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews and Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Jaccob Slavin, are this year's nominees for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

Pettersson has now become the first Lady Byng Memorial trophy nominee in Vancouver Canucks history and if he wins, he'll be only the third Swedish player to do so, joining William Karlsson and Mats Naslund.

If you aren't familiar with the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, it is an award handed out annually by the National Hockey League to recognize a player who 'exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability'.

"Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks

Pettersson registered his third consecutive 30-goal campaign to propel the Canucks to the Pacific Division title on the strength of a 50-23-9 record (109 points), their most wins and points in a season since 2011-12 (51-22-9, 111 points). He placed third on Vancouver in goals (34), assists (55) and points (89), while sharing fourth place in the entire NHL with 10 game-winning goals � highlighted by a stretch during which he became the first player in League history to score the decisive tally in four straight road games (Jan. 6-11). Pettersson, who skated in all 82 contests and ranked 19th among forwards in total time on ice (1,611:20), was assessed just six penalties (12 PIM) � the sixth time in as many NHL seasons he has received fewer than 20 penalty minutes. Only one of the League's top 80 scorers totaled fewer penalty minutes in 2023-24 (Gustav Nyquist: 8 PIM in 81 GP w/ NSH). The 25-year-old Sundsvall, Sweden, native is the first Lady Byng Trophy finalist in Canucks history and is seeking to join William Karlsson (2017-18 w/ VGK) and Mats Naslund (1987-88 w/ MTL) as the third Swedish-born player to capture the award." The NHL said.

Pettersson, 25, had a strong regular season despite finishing slow, but his sportsmanship never waivered throughout the year. The Sundsvall, Sweden native played in all 82 games during the regular season for the first time in his career and only recorded 12 penalty minutes along the way.

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