Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki tore up the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on home ice, earning MVP honours and leading his nation to the silver medal, their highest finish since 2018.
During the tournament, Lekkerimaki took charge as a returning player on Sweden's roster and was relied on heavily by Head Coach Magnus Havelid, playing first-line minutes while also being on the top powerplay unit.
Lekkerimaki took advantage of the opportunities that came his way and, during the tournament, scored a whopping seven goals while adding three assists along the way. He finished tied for the lead in goals with Isaac Howard of the United States and was tied for third in points.
On Tuesday morning, the IIHF shared a video on X highlighting five of Jonathan Lekkerimaki's seven goals at the tournament, including one late in the second period in the Gold Medal Game that brought the Swedes within a goal of tying it up.
The Tullinge, Sweden native is about to embark on his first season in North America in 2024-25, and there's no doubt that at some point, granted he plays well with Abbotsford, he'll be up in Vancouver and will make his National Hockey League debut.
How many games do you think Lekkerimaki will play in the NHL next season�less than 5, 5-10, 10-15, or more than 15? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 180 ANSWERS IIHF makes a releases showcasing Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki How many games do you think Lekkerimaki will play in the NHL next season? | ||
Less than 5 | 43 | 23.9 % |
5-10 | 74 | 41.1 % |
10-15 | 30 | 16.7 % |
More than 15 | 33 | 18.3 % |
List of polls |