Loui Eriksson Retrospective: Before the Vancouver Canucks

This new, three-part series is set to take a look at three aspects of his time in the big leagues: before he signed with the Vancouver Canucks, what’s happened during his time in Vancouver, and what could be in store for the 34-year-old’s future.

Drafted in the second round of the 2003 NHL entry draft by the Dallas Stars — a draft widely considered to be one of the deepest of all-time — Loui Eriksson has gone on to have a long and successful career in the NHL.

In 970 games, he’s put up 250 goals and 593 points — a 50 point pace over an 82 game season.

Eriksson didn’t come to North America from Sweden until 2006-07 as a 21-year-old largely playing in a bottom-six role with the Stars. He put up 50 points in 128 games over year one and two, but it was year three he surpassed the combined totals of his first two. In June 2008, Dallas re-signed Eriksson to a two-year, $1.6-million AAV total.

As a 23-year-old, Eriksson scored a career-high 36 goals adding another 27 assists over the 82 game season as he jumped into a top-line role with the Stars. His offensive output continued into 2009-10, when he scored 71 points in 82 games.

A big-winger, Eriksson made a name for himself in terms of an offensive threat who not only was able to put up great offensive production for the Stars. Due for a new deal, Dallas inked him to a six-year, $4.25-million AAV and in the first three years of the deal, before his trade to Boston, he showed he was worth it.

Eriksson continued his offensive ways scoring 173 points in 209 games over three full, healthy years.

His time in Dallas came to an end when along with prospects Jo Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser was traded to the Boston Bruins for Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button.

Loui’s first year in Boston was marred with injuries as he suffered two separate concussions, but still put up a respectable 37 points in 61 games. He continued with two more productive seasons in Boston where he put up 22 and 30 goal seasons.

All in all, Eriksson’s three-year stint in Boston ended in 2016 when they let him walk as a free-agent having scored 62 goals and 147 points in 224 games.

His underlying numbers improved greatly during his time in Boston and his ability as a two-way player began to develop, a key-cog that would grow upon his arrival in Vancouver.

On Twitter: @zjlaing