Elias Pettersson's run in Denmark has come to an end.
The Canucks prospect suffered a left thumb injury during Sweden's meeting with Switzerland on Sunday. There are no telling signs of when the injury occurred, but Pettersson felt a nagging pain in his left hand and headed towards the team's dressing room. He did not return.
Elias Pettersson has been having issues with his hand. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/mlTdju6peX
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) May 13, 2018
Team doctors later revealed Petterson suffered a fractured thumb. Up until his departure, Petterson put forward a solid effort for the Swedes. He earned a primary assist on Patric Hornqvist's goal to give Sweden the 2-0 lead. Sweden ultimately earned the 5-3 win over the Swiss at the expense of Pettersson. Sweden remains undefeated in tournament play and sits atop of Group A with 17 points.
On Monday, Swedish head coach Rikard Grönberg revealed Pettersson will require thumb surgery, which will likely keep him out three-to-four weeks. That would not put the teenager in any jeopardy of missing any Canucks offseason programs as he attempts to make hi sfirst NHL roster.
At 19 years old, Pettersson recorded four points — one goal, three assists — in his first World Championship; which followed his performance at the World Junior Championship where he led Sweden with seven goals.
The 2017 fifth pick in the NHL Draft earned practically every major accolade in the Swedish Hockey League this year, including Rookie of the Year and Playoff MVP. Pettersson is on the fast track to crack the Canucks' opening night lineup come October. Though he didn't participate in the team's training camp last season, there is no question that he wants to be a part of the Vancouver organization sooner rather than later.
"I want to go to the NHL as quick as possible," Pettersson told Sportsnet 650 in September. " ... but I want to be ready."