Elias x 2? Vancouver Canucks sign Pettersson to new contract
Posted April 19, 2023 12:55 pm.
Last Updated April 19, 2023 4:21 pm.
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Elias Pettersson has been signed to a new contract.
No, not that Elias Pettersson.
This one is a defenceman who’s been inked to a three-year entry-level deal, the club announced Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Swedish blueliner was the Canucks’ third-round pick in 2022, selected 80th overall. He spent the 2022-23 season playing in Sweden for Örebro HK’s junior team and men’s team. He also represented the nation in this past year’s World Junior Hockey Championship.
While he and #40 share the same name on paper, the two differ in how you pronounce their first names. The younger Pettersson’s first name is pronounce Elias like “lie,” while Petey’s given name is pronounced more like “LEE.”
The news of the signing comes as fans eagerly await contract news on Pettersson the forward, who had a career year in 2022 despite a lackluster Canucks season.
FILE – Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson, of Sweden, skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Vancouver, on Tuesday November 27, 2018. (Darryl Dyck/CP)
Many took to social media to make light of the situation — and make some suggestions.
One Twitter user replied to the Canucks’ tweet of the defenceman’s signing saying, “Now sign the other Elias Pettersson to an 8 year deal!!”
Now sign the other Elias Pettersson to an 8 year deal!!
— Josephine (Taylor’s Version) (@Sinochick) April 19, 2023
Others tweeted jokes, with one person sharing an old picture of former Canucks goalies Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo wearing “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” shirts, accompanied by a caption that reads: “To make sure there is no confusion may I suggest the following.”
To make sure there is no confusion may I suggest the following: #Canucks pic.twitter.com/e9Elieo9Xs
— TG (@tangill747) April 19, 2023
Some people simply tweeted the famed meme of two cartoon Spiderman characters pointing at each other.
— jill (@jillonair) April 19, 2023
One person appeared to think further ahead, assuming both Petterssons will play together, writing “Play by play will be a blast.”
Play by play will be a blast
— vancitylime (@vancitylime) April 19, 2023
The 24-year-old Pettersson, also from Sweden, has one year remaining on his contract before he’s set to become a restricted free agent next summer.
The two Swedes are not related.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to show the older Pettersson is set to become a restricted free agent next summer.
