Elias Pettersson is back in Vancouver, and he’s not just carrying his newlywed bliss—he’s also packing some serious muscle! The Vancouver Canucks star confirmed he tied the knot with American model and influencer Katelyn Byrd during the offseason, celebrating what he described as the best day of his life.

At the recent Jake Milford Charity Golf Tournament, Pettersson shared, “I did get married, yeah. It was the highlight of my offseason.” And that’s not all he’s been focusing on. The 6-foot-2 center revealed he’s bulked up significantly, adding 13.2 pounds of muscle to his frame.

"I added six kilos. I just tried to add some muscle. I feel ready to be myself again out there, and I’m confident that I will,” Pettersson said, radiating enthusiasm. With his weight now likely around 190 pounds, he’s nearly 30 pounds heavier than when he was drafted in 2017.

Last season was undoubtedly a challenge for the 26-year-old, who scored just 45 points in 64 games. Concerns about his conditioning during training camp and a notable feud with teammate J.T. Miller marred his performance. However, he’s putting that behind him. "That's in the past,” Pettersson remarked. “We can all learn from it. I’m just looking forward, excited for this year.”

After dealing with knee tendinitis that hampered his summer preparations last year, Pettersson now feels physically ready to take the ice with no limitations. Considering the Canucks' potential—bolstered by a strong defense and a healthy goalie in Thatcher Demko—his performance will be crucial.

The team is well-equipped on the wings but is facing a thin roster at center, making Pettersson’s resurgence more vital than ever. Can he return to the prolific scoring level that saw him net 102 points just two seasons ago? "We’re gonna try to prepare to be the best team we can be. I know what we’re capable of. I believe fully that we can do good things,” he stated with conviction.

With Pettersson stronger, healthier, and driven, Canucks fans have every reason to be excited for the season ahead!