Canucks prospect Lekkerimaki honoured with a major award

Out of all of the high-end talent in the Vancouver Canucks' prospect system, Swedish forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki may be the most promising one. The 2022 first-round pick scored 31 points in 46 games in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league, at just 22.

He joined the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks to end the season, scoring a goal and two points in a short six-game stint. He will look to make the full-time move to North America next season, as fans are excited to see the Swede suit up in a Canucks uniform.

Given his strong performance in the SHL this season, he has been named the recipient of the 2024 EliteProspects Award, going to be the top junior player in the SHL. He joined a new club this season, Orebro HK, after inking a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks following the 2022-23 season. His previous club fell just short of a promotion to the SHL by way of a seven-game series loss.

Lekkerimaki also represented Sweden at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, scoring seven goals at 10 points in seven games. He was named the tournament's MVP as he captured a silver medal in his third consecutive appearance at the WJC.


Other high-end prospects in the Canucks' pool include defenseman Tom Wallinder and forwards Arshdeep Bains and Aatu Raty.