Three Stanley Cup-titles, two Olympic Games gold and a dominant 37 seasons in NHL.
Canadian star Sidney Crosby, 37, has made a big impact and continues to do so.
As recently as in February, he was the second-best point-scorer when Canada won the prestigious Four Nations tournament.
It's going to be fantastic fun to meet him. He's a world star and has been for a long time, says Pettersson, now in Vancouver.
"Don't give him time"
How do you play against him?
It's about being close, giving someone like him time makes it tough. He's strong with the puck, so it's about playing strong with the stick and having quick feet, says he.
Against Slovakia (7-0) on Saturday, Crosby excelled with two goals and two assists and is starting to gear up as the World Championship approaches.
Pettersson praises his former teammate as a star both on the ice and off it.
It's been useful for me to see, a leadership you can take with you for the future, says he and develops:
He's always had the goal that everyone around him should do well at the same time as he's one of the most competitive I've met. He sets high demands and on the surroundings, but the way he does it is a driving way. He's a good leader who gets everyone with him, says the defenseman from Skellefteå.
"A shock"
In early February, Pettersson was traded from Pittsburgh to Vancouver. An event that was overwhelming.
It's a shock, you don't go around and are prepared for that. I had an outgoing contract, so you knew it could happen, but it was tough.
Then you know what applies and you have to move on and find new acquaintances. Vancouver is a fantastic city and hockey-wise it's been great except that we missed the playoffs, says he.
The meeting against Canada will be the most decisive match so far in the World Championship.
The winning team takes home the group win and gets a more favorable quarterfinal opponent.
Sweden has six straight wins and a 25-3 goal difference so far and has kept a clean sheet in four of six matches.
Our defensive play has worked and the goalie play has been fantastic. We've played together well and have a good feeling in the group, says he.
The latest big meetings between Sweden and Canada (Sweden's figures first)
13/2 2025: 3-4 after overtime (Four Nations, Montreal).
26/5 2024: 4-2 (World Championship, bronze match, Prague).
26/5 2022: 3-4 after overtime (World Championship, quarterfinal, Tampere).
16/2 2022: 2-0 (Olympic Games, quarterfinal, Beijing).
21/5 2017: 2-1 after penalties (World Championship, final, Cologne).
