NEW YORK – Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, who led all rookies in goals (6), assists (11), points (17), game-winning goals (4) and plus/minus (tied, +8) in 14 outings, has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for December.
Pettersson edged Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (5-4—9 in 14 GP), Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Andreas Johnsson (3-6—9 in 13 GP) and Ottawa Senators center Colin White (3-6—9 in 14 GP) for the honor.
Pettersson, who also was named Rookie of the Month for October, registered at least one point in 10 of his 14 December appearances – including a seven-game streak from Dec. 4-16 (4-9—13) – to power Vancouver to an 8-5-1 month.
Pettersson notched four multi-point performances, highlighted by his second five-point effort of the season Dec. 9 at STL (1-4—5). In doing so, he became the sixth rookie in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967‑68) to record multiple five-point games within a single season – and the second to achieve the feat before the end of December (also Bryan Trottier: 1975-76 w/ NYI).
The 20-year-old Sundsvall, Sweden, native – who was selected fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft – has played in 36 total games this season, topping rookies in goals (19), assists (20), points (39), power-play goals (tied, 5), power-play assists (7), power-play points (12), game-winning goals (6) and shooting percentage (26.0%)
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