LATEST | Excellent news regarding three of the Canucks' top prospect
The 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship is set to get underway in less than three weeks and participating nations are beginning to release their rosters for the tournament.
On Wednesday, the hosts Sweden released their roster for the tournament and it features a trio of Vancouver Canucks prospects - forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki along with defencemen Tom Willander and Elias Pettersson.
Lekkerimaki, 19, has had a great start to the 2023-24 season in Sweden with Orebro HK after making the move to the SHL. In 22 games, he's put up 14 points (nine goals, five assists), eight penalty minutes and is a plus-three.
Willander, the Canucks' first-round pick earlier this year, made the jump overseas to play in the NCAA with Boston University in the NCAA this season and has worked his way up to the team's top defensive pairing in recent games. In 15 games, the 18-year-old has recorded eight points.
Pettersson, 19, has played for three different teams this season - Orebro HK (SHL), Orebro HK Jr. (SWE-Jr.) and the majority of his time, he's been with Vasteras IK (HockeyAllsvenskan). In 14 games with Vasteras IK, he's tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists).
The trio of Canucks prospects and Team Sweden will open the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Boxing Day, December 26th, against Latvia.
| POLL | ||
Who do you think will win the gold medal at the World Juniors? | ||
| Canada | 290 | 54.8 % |
| United States | 82 | 15.5 % |
| Sweden | 120 | 22.7 % |
| See Results | 37 | 7 % |
| List of polls | ||
