Article content continued

Add that visit to the fact general manager Jim Benning always included Pettersson in his assessments of preferred playmaking pivots, the crossing of paths with his countrymen was noteworthy. Benning also indicated he was prepared to move down in this draft to land his targeted player and it was clear Friday that Pettersson topped his wish list.

Often compared to a budding Nicklas Backstrom because of a smooth and intelligent game that features little panic, Pettersson has the uncanny ability to pass in traffic and hold on to the puck to feather a sweet feed or select a shot.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images North America

Pettersson had 19 goals and 21 assists in 43 games for Timra IK of the second-division Hockey Allsvenskan and was a teammate of Canucks prospect Jonathan Dahlen. The plan is to move up to the Swedish Elite League next season with the Vaxjo Lakers — hopefully with Dahlen, so the Canucks could have a future line in the making.

It makes sense because in today’s game, creativity trumps all. You can always get stronger and faster, but you can’t whip up skill. You either have it or you don’t.

“I don’t like to talk about myself, but I like to be one step ahead of my opponents if I’m forechecking or in a 50-50 situation,” added Pettersson. “I always like to have a plan to win the situation. I create a lot of scoring chances for myself and my teammates and I like to pass the puck more than shoot it.

“I play with a lot of instincts and I like how Nicklas Backstrom plays. He makes his teammates better and creates chances for himself, but I’ve got a lot to learn to get to the next level.