Flames Top 25 Under 25: #16 Emilio Pettersen

#16 – Emilio Pettersen

Position: Centre

Age: 19

Team: University of Denver (NCAA)

Drafted in 2018, 6th Round, Pick 167

Last Year’s Ranking: NR

Emilio “Don’t call me Mathias” Pettersen is a Norwegian center currently playing with Denver in the NCAA. The young prospect hopes to follow the streak of succesfull 6th round picks, following Andrew Mangiapane (2015), Eetu Tuulola (2016), and Matthew Phillips (2016), whom have all earned entry-level contracts.

Pettersen played his freshman year at the University of Denver, recording 6 goals and 30 points in 40 games, en route to Denver falling to U Mass and Cale Makar in the Frozen Four finals. While it would be nice to see the goal scoring improve, 30 points in 40 games in seriously good for an 18 year old rookie. It will be very telling if he improves any of those stats in just his second year.

Although Norway is not currently in the World Junior pool, Pettersen did suit up for 5 games for Norway in the Division 1A round play. While Norway could not earn a promotion to the World Junior pool with a 3-2 record, Pettersen tied for third in tournament scoring, recording 3 goals and 6 points in those 5 games.

It would have been nice to see Pettersen and Norway play on the bigger stage this December, but there’s little doubt he’ll once more suit up for his home nation in an effort to return to the World Juniors (Norway hasn’t participated in the World Juniors since 2014).

At this time, there appears to be no concern as to whether or not Pettersen would sign a contract, should the Flames offer one.

by Gordie Taylor