Vancouver goalkeeper if succérookien: He has a crazy good self-confidence

When we ask the Vancouver Canucks, the Swedish goalie Jacob Markström about how Elias Pettersson is as a human being will answer with lightning speed:

– He has a crazy good self-confidence, but he is not cocky in any way at all. What I think is that many players who make their first year often become stressed with the puck, but Elias not throw away unnecessarily. It's very fun to see such a young player come into this league with such a commanding presence right from the start, and it's extra fun that it is a swede who makes it.

if that Markström is impressed – and it is all the others too. During his debut season in the world's by far the best league has Elias Pettersson exceeded all expectations. 22 goals, 20 assists, and a number of highlightsklipp that would make nearly any NHL veteran at any time jealous. In just 38 games played.

I had perhaps not expected that it would go this good, but I have trained hard to be the hockey player I am today and I believe in myself in whatever I do, " says Elias Pettersson when the DN hit him at The Douglas hotel in downtown Vancouver, a few blocks from Rogers arena where the Canucks play their home games.

" I thought perhaps I would do so points to a beginning, but as I said I have a good confidence and I believe in myself wherever I play.

" It is clear that the man doubted himself a few times when there have been setbacks, but the great confidence I have always had. I would say that I am comfortable with the puck where I get it. I stress never up to me. At home in Suffolk, there was a lot of time to go freeriding, there are not so many people there and my dad drove the ice machine and had a key to every door of the rink, so I have had the advantage of being able to be on the ice very much and it has helped me to become comfortable in all situations.

– It has very very abrasive. I have always been good at to aim from close range but I have never had a hard shot and I had no good direktskott before I started my season with Växjö. It was my main focus before the season, to get a better direktskott, so after each workout nötte I'm 10-15 minutes in to train direktskott and it was so much better. Now it is easy to say it, but from the beginning I could barely hit the puck and was afraid to miss it every time I would shoot. But it is no secret, it is very agitating and abrasive behind the shot I have in the day.

" I have learned to be narrow with the legs, if the fit will be too far to the left or right, it is easier to move on then. I am trying to get off a shot even if the fit is not exactly where I want it for it goes fast out there and I want to be able to shoot from all positions.

Jacob Markström, who certainly known vinddraget of a hard, Pettersson slap shot whiz past your head on the workouts, have really good track of what he is talking about:

" It is as he says, I don't think there are many young players who think of it. His hockey-IQ is superb high and it is no coincidence that he has a good shot because he trains a lot and have developed a good technique. Many that shoot well are often large, stocky player but Elias shoots as good as them despite the fact that he is not as muscular than so far, says Markström.

" I've never been a big player. I have always tried to think of more than using my muscles. I try to be creative where I get the puck and I get happy when I hear that people enjoy it, for it is the kind of player I am and that's the kind of hockey I want to play.

The latest time, however, it has not become any hockey at all. He was forced to be deleted after having twisted the knee in a nasty situation against Montreal on 3 January.

Right now, I am not ready for play but it gets better and better. I am still in pain but I'm doing mobility exercises each day and feel less pain, so it looks positive, " says Elias.

probably pleased many Canucks fans. After Pettersson stepped out injured against Montreal, played namely Vancouver over 115 minutes of hockey without getting into a single bag before the swiss Sven Bärtschis 1-1-acknowledgement against Arizona on Thursday.

– Elias has started very well, both offensively and defensively, and he is an important player for our team, but the damage is done, and we will not rush him back. He should take the time it needs to be completely good and in the meantime, it is others who get the chance. It comes for them to take it, " says Markström, who himself had been forced to the even more responsibility the last few months, then andremålvakten Anders Nilsson first got hurt and then was traded away to Ottawa.

And What has made it really good. In his last twelve starts has become nine wins. Really impressive, especially considering that Vancouver is a team that many experts thought would end up in the bottom of the table.

" I had rather had twelve of twelve victories, but I should not complain too much, december was a really good month for both me and the team. I find more and more confidence in my game and it feels better every day that goes by. But I continue to be developed in order to have a chance to take us to the playoffs. I have to give the team a chance to win every night, " says Markström.

on the eleventh place in the Western Conference. To Minnesota in the eighth and final slutspelsplats separates only two points.

" We believe in ourselves, everyone knows that the Canucks have not been as successful the last few seasons but there is nothing we think about. We try to win every match and now we have a chance to make something good out of this season. We are well located in the table and has been playing very good at the end so it only applies to that we continue on this so we have a good chance to reach the finals, " says Elias Pettersson.

With Markström in the bag and Elias Pettersson in förstafemman yesterday, the Vancouver Canucks have a bright future. What keeps Pettersson really high.

– As a goalkeeper, it is estimated will always be someone who plays a good defensive hockey and Elias is totally fearless in its own zone. He covers the shoot, helps the slopes and, above all, so he throws not away the puck needlessly. He pulls a old man and look for a pass and will do everything to help their fellow players, I think this is awesome to see, " says Jacob.

together on the side of the ice as well, although they have slightly different interests. According to Markström it will be a lot of video games for Pettersson.

" Yes, sure I play a bit of Fortnite, I will not stand here and lie to you about. There are a few in the team that is playing and then so many buddies back home in Sweden who also plays. It is often that I play immediately when I come home from training so I will be able to play with friends at home in Sweden before they go to bed, " says Pettersson.

" Well, I'm better at hockey, more than so we do not need to say, haha.

We believe him.