Elvenes Excited For Opportunity With Anaheim Organization

Jan 14, 2022

By Paige Burnell/SanDiegoGulls.com

There’s officially a new kid on the flock.

The San Diego Gulls welcomed Lucas Elvenes to their team on Jan. 11 after the Anaheim Ducks claimed the center off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights. He is more than ready to start anew with a team he is very familiar with professionally and personally.

Originally drafted by Vegas in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Elvenes collected 2-8=10 points with Henderson Silver Knights, a Pacific-Division rival of the Gulls, in 2021-22. He’s posted 20-62=82 points over 116 American Hockey League games with Henderson and the Chicago Wolves.

The 6-1, 198-pound forward ranked second among AHL rookies in assists (36) and notched the fourth-most points (12-36=48) of any first-year skater in 2019-20 with the Wolves, earning him a trip to that season’s AHL All-Star Classic.

Additionally, the Angelholm, Sweden native tallied 8-28=36 points in 82 games with Rogle of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and, prior to that, he represented his country on the international stage at the 2019 World Junior Championship, 2017 U-18 World Championship and 2016 U-17 World Hockey Championship. 

“I was impressed with how he absorbed some of the stuff I asked right away,” Gulls head coach Joel Bouchard said. “I think he wanted a new chance and he’s getting it with us so that’s what pro hockey does. The American League, like I’ve said it time and time again, guys get here and I want them to do well.” 

Elvenes certainly is embarking on a new playing experience with the Gulls, doing so with old friends.

“(Gulls goaltender) Olle Eriksson Ek is one of my best buddies, so I’ve known him my whole life and every time you see a new Swede, it’s always feels like you’ve known him forever,” Elvenes said. “I know (Gulls defenseman) Kodie Curran from back home when I played in the SHL so I know some of them. It feels like I know everyone right now and I’m talking to everyone, so it feels good.”

Between deep-rooted friends and taking to budding systems of play, Elvenes may have just found his nest. All that’s left for him to do is to keep building it.  

“He’s getting another chance so it’s time for him to see if he can evolve and be a better version of himself,” Bouchard said.