The Ducks have signed prospect center Lucas Pettersson to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced in a news release on Friday.
Petterson, 19, was the third selection in the second round (35th overall) in 2024 and will compete for Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League next season, the top level of pro competition in Pettersson’s homeland.
Brynäs, which lost in the SHL finals last season, includes multiple former members of the Ducks organization, most notably one-time mainstay and fan favorite winger Jakub Silfverberg.
Up to this point, Pettersson had been in the MoDo system, though they were relegated for next season. He hailed from fertile ground, sharing not only a club team but a hometown with Örnsköldsvik-born legends like Peter Forsberg, Markus Näslund, Victor Hedman and the Sedin twins.
Pettersson has represented Sweden internationally at the junior level, including his tally of the game-winning goal in the bronze-medal game at the U18 level last year.
Professionally, he split the 2024-25 campaign between both levels and clubs, notably producing 19 points in 26 games on loan at the lower Allsvenskan level with Östersunds IK.
He projects as a middle-six center with a well-rounded game that includes effective shifting of pace, high-end speed, an accurate shot, playmaking sense and a sound defensive game for his age group. There’s also a bit of deception and misdirection in his mix, much like fellow Swede Leo Carlsson.