Canucks star forward Elias Pettersson signs 8-year contract extension

The Vancouver Canucks and star centre Elias Pettersson have agreed to an eight-year contract extension, the team announced Saturday.

Terms of the deal, which kicks in next season, were not disclosed. Multiple media reports indicate the extension is worth an average annual value of $11.6 million US.

Pettersson, whose current contract has a 7.35 million cap hit and expires after this season, is second in team scoring with 75 points on 29 goals and 46 assists.

"This is a very exciting day for me and my family," Pettersson said in a statement released by the team Saturday morning. "I am very happy to be continuing my career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks.

"I love this city and playing in front of the fans. We have an exciting group and believe we can do good things in the future. Both [team president] Jim Rutherford and [general manager] Patrik Allvin have done a great job in building this team and creating a culture, along with [head coach] Rick Tocchet."

The Canucks announced Pettersson would attend a news conference later Saturday in Vancouver.

Said Allvin: "Elias is one of the top players in the National Hockey League and is a key member of our leadership group. We know his best days are ahead of him and with his high end skill and desire to be the best, we look forward to seeing Elias succeed and grow."

Drafted fifth overall by the Canucks in 2017, Pettersson has compiled 165 goals and 398 points over 387 regular-season contests.

Pettersson won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2018-19 after leading all first-year players in scoring with 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists).

After injuring his wrist during the 2021-22 season, Pettersson came on strong in 2022-23 with his first 100-point season, producing 39