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Lucas Elvenes: "I wasn't happy about being a fifth-rounder."

September 7, 2018, 9:57 PM ET [3 Comments]
Sheng Peng
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They spelled Lucas Elvenes's name wrong.

Instead of "Elvenes," his Bauer stick is labeled "Elvenäs."

Elvenes, however, was able to laugh off the equipment company's gaffe. And the way that the Swedish playmaker's stock is rising, brands won't be making that mistake any longer.

Some amateurs are glad just to be drafted. Not Elvenes.

"I wasn't happy about being a fifth-rounder," revealed the 2017 Draft pick.

Swedish hockey expert Uffe Bodin had tapped the forward as a third-round talent. But The Hockey News cautioned "must work on his stride." Future Considerations warned "can improve his consistency in the defensive end."

That summer, Elvenes took his conditioning to another level.

"I never trained with the A-team before in the offseason. That was a huge step for me. That was the turn," indicated Elvenes. "I got much bigger. Could stand up to big guys more. More energy."

Elvenes tore up Allsvenskan, Sweden's second league, before being promoted to the SHL. With Rögle BK, the 19-year-old notched 16 points in 28 games. This 0.57 Points Per Game average was the highest for a U19 SHL player since 2014-15, when William Nylander, Kevin Fiala, and Jakub Vrána all eclipsed the half-a-point a game mark.

Not bad company.

"He almost made the World Junior team last year," added Wil Nichol, Golden Knights Director Of Player Development. "One of the last ones cut, which was amazing because he wasn't even invited to Summer Showcase."

Elvenes admitted, "Before, I was unsure what I was going to do in the offensive zone. Just throwing pucks. But now, I'm more sure."

Corey Pronman, The Athletic's prospect guru, was sure enough of Elvenes's breakout campaign to vault him past 2017 first-rounders, Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom, in his recent assessment of the Vegas farm system. The forward was Pronman's runner-up to Cody Glass for top Golden Knights prospect.

Elvenes was rewarded with a three-year entry-level contract by Vegas on June 15th.

"I don't know if I would've been signed," he intimated. "I really needed that season."

So what's next for Elvenes, besides getting sticks with his name spelled right?

"Lucas has become, but still needs to become a 200-foot player. But he's had some buy-in there," said Nichol. "His skating and pace have improved."

"Just keep it going," offered Elvenes, who is likely to spend a full season in the SHL and make his World Juniors debut. "Looks like I opened some eyes."

***

Elvenes also expanded on his second favorite thing after hockey.

"Mostly rap," said Elvenes, before clarifying, "I don't listen to Swedish rap. I listen to American rap.

"Most Swedish music, I hate that."

He cited Tory Lanez as his favorite rapper. He also enjoys the beefs, from Drake-Pusha T to Eminem-Machine Gun Kelly.

However, he wouldn't cop to ever trying to kick his own rhymes.

As for a stage name? "People call me Lucky," laughed Elvenes.

(HT Chris Chapman, Producer of Vegas Golden Knights Insider Show, for the tip about Elvenes's musical tastes)

***

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