Vancouver Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson vs. Team Canada at the World Juniors

by Nathan Caddell on January 4th, 2018 at 9:15 PM

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It's a foregone conclusion that many Vancouver Canucks fans will be cheering for Team Canada during the World Juniors Gold Medal game tomorrow night (it goes at 5 p.m. PST). There will, however, be a pretty large contingent of the fanbase that will be not-so-secretly hoping for a strong performance from one of Team Sweden's biggest stars.

Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson, taken fifth overall in last summer's draft, has had a season to remember. In 26 games in Sweden's highest league (and at the tender age of 18 years old), he's registered an astounding 35 points. For comparison's sake, Henrik Sedin had 47 points in 50 games at the same age and level.

It makes sense then that he's had Vancouver fans salivating all year, just waiting for the World Juniors when he could showcase his skills on a large stage. Pettersson has not disappointed in that regard, registering five goals and seven points in six games.

He's also had some highlight reel moments.

https://twitter.com/ryanbiech/status/949044515431591936

https://twitter.com/JanikBeichler/status/947215276919152642

And while Team Canada has the obvious patriotic advantage for many Canucks fans, as well as the presence of Jonah Gadjovich—another Canucks prospect who has also fared well at the tournament—it makes sense that some Vancouver supporters won't be so upset if, say, Pettersson scores multiple goals in a win for Team Sweden.

Fans are already crafting out perfect scenarios for tomorrow's game.