Vancouver Canucks 2022 first round draft pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki has been assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks.
The club made the announcement on Monday (March 25) morning and stated that it’s possible he may suit up in an AHL team with the club.
Lekkerimaki’s Orebro HC club in the Swedish Hockey League was eliminated from playoff contention last week and he hopes to receive an invite to tryout for Sweden at the upcoming IIHF World Championship in May.
Goal of the year in the SHL?
— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) February 29, 2024
Jonathan Lekkerimäki pops off with a lacrosse goal. 👀 pic.twitter.com/nqtSXQ6G26
Instead of training in Sweden to prepare for that tournament, he will head to Abbotsford to practice and potentially play for the AHL club.
Abbotsford has 10 regular season game remaining and conclude the season on April 20. The AHL playoffs begin in the days that follow and it seems likely that the Canucks will qualify for the postseason.
The 2024 IIHF World Championship runs from May 10 to 24 in Czechia. Sweden’s training camp would occur before that event.
RELATED: Canucks take Swedish right-winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki in 1st round of NHL draft
Lekkerimaki was chosen 15th overall in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft and recorded 19 goals 12 assists in 46 games this season for Orebro.
He represented Sweden at the World Junior Championship earlier this year and helped Sweden earn a silver medal. Lekkerimaki was named the tournament’s MVP and collected 10 points in seven games.
Abbotsford next takes on the Colorado Eagles in Colorado on Friday (March 29). The next home game sees the Manitoba Moose come to Abbotsford on April 3.
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