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The Canucks’ remarkable Swedish sharpshooter who just completed an unforgettable bounce-back season: Jonathan Lekkerimäki. Has been identified as the team’s precious jewel.
From netting goals to collecting an impressive array of trophies, LLekkerimäki’s2023-24 season was one for the books. Healthy and playing at his peak, LLekkerimäki’scampaign showcased his full potential.
Across the SHL, AHL, and international arenas, Lekkerimäki drew significant attention and reasserted his status as the premier prospect within the Canucks’ pipeline. Following a stellar playoff run in the Allsvenskan during the 2022-23 season, Lekkerimäki transitioned smoothly to the Swedish Hockey League. Starting 2023-24 with three goals in as many games for Örebro, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s elite goalscorers and maintained this form throughout the season.
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Lekkerimäki notched 19 goals and 31 points in 46 regular-season games, leading all U23 players and ranking fifth league-wide despite being 19 years old. His goal-scoring prowess earned him Team MVP honours, one of many accolades he received. Beyond his impressive stats, Lekkerimäki was a clutch player for his team, frequently relied upon in high-pressure situations like the final minutes of a game or shootouts, and often delivered.
After a brief stint in the AHL, where he started to find his offensive rhythm with points in consecutive games, Lekkerimäki returned to Sweden for a month-long World Championship training camp. A staple in SSweden’s national teams throughout his young career, Lekkerimäki was determined not to miss the chance to compete in his first World Championship.
As the Canucks consider LLekkerimäki’sfuture, two paths emerge. One option is to start him in a top-six NHL role, possibly alongside Elias Pettersson, to see if he can adapt quickly. The more likely scenario is for him to begin in the AHL, where he can gain significant ice time and develop his skills further. If he excels and scores ten goals by Christmas, the team can confidently promote him to the NHL, assured of his readiness and confidence.
