Jonathan Lekkerimaki wins major award from Swedish Hockey League
Jonathan Lekkerimaki is on his way back to North America after not being named to Sweden's final roster ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Hockey Championship and is a game-time decision for the Abbotsford Canucks tonight.
Lekkerimaki had a strong season in the Swedish Hockey League with Orebro HK and on Wednesday, was announced as the Rookie of the Year for the 2023-24 campaign.
Note: The following quote was translated from Swedish.
With winning the Rookie of the Year, Lekkerimaki has been given a prize of SEK 50,000, which is just under $6,300 Canadian. This prize is to be donated to a cause or project that helps Swedish hockey and Lekkerimaki chose Flemingsberg IK, who play in Hockeytv�an, the fourth tier in Sweden.
In 46 SHL games with Orebro HK this season, Lekkerimaki had 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists), ten penalty minutes and was a plus-six. He went on to add one assist in three playoff games.
While Lekkerimaki was hoping to represent his country at the World Championship, he'll have to wait another year, but does have an opportunity to play a big role for the Abbotsford Canucks, who are down two games to none in their best-of-five series against the Ontario Reign.
Source - SHL: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 2023/24: JONATHAN LEKKERIMÄKI, ÖREBRO
| POLL | ||
Where do you think Lekkerimaki will start the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Vancouver - NHL | 200 | 40.7 % |
| Abbotsford - AHL | 292 | 59.3 % |
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