It’s been quite the eventful Wednesday for Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki.
It began with receiving yet another award to place on the shelf, taking home the SHL &#8220;Rookie of the Year.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Vi stort grattis till Jonathan Lekkerimäki (<a href="https://twitter.com/orebrohockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@orebrohockey</a>) som har blivit framröstad som Årets Rookie i SHL 2023/24! 
Ett pris som delas ut i samarbete med Svenska Spel.
🎬 Se när Jonathan Lekkerimäki tar emot priset: <a href="https://t.co/DbzzyM3JoG">https://t.co/DbzzyM3JoG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ishockey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ishockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/twittpuck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#twittpuck</a> <a href="https://t.co/KLRqCMoXI0">pic.twitter.com/KLRqCMoXI0</a>
&mdash; SHL.se (@SHLse) <a href="https://twitter.com/SHLse/status/1788104286225805721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This recognition comes as no surprise, considering his dominant performance in the U20 circuit, where he notched an impressive 19 goals and 31 points, outpacing the nearest rookie, Noah Östlund, by a significant eight-point margin.
As part of the award, Lekkerimäki also receives $50,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. Lekkerimäki opted to put the funds toward his hometown hockey club, Flemingsbergs IK.
Shortly after the award was announced, it was time for the big roster reveal.
After nearly a month of training with Team Sweden, including suiting up in six exhibition matches, the team officially announced their 2024 World Championship roster.
Unfortunately, Jonathan Lekkerimäki did not make the cut.
Despite a promising start to his chances, the addition of NHL-caliber players throughout the camp led to a crowded top-nine roster by the final decisions.
By now, we know this kid&#8217;s calling card, and it&#8217;s meant to be in a top-nine &#8212; preferably top-six &#8212; scoring role and with a stacked forward group, Lekkerimäki fell just outside of the cut.
This would have been Lekkerimäki&#8217;s first appearance at the coveted tournament, and it would have been the perfect bow to add to an already memorable breakout campaign.
Here is the full list of players who will be representing Sweden this year:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🚨🚨🚨🚨 Här har vi den, Tre Kronors preliminära VM-trupp 🎉
Hur taggad är du på fredagens VM-premiär?! 👏👏 <a href="https://t.co/EzyUvtqbeI">pic.twitter.com/EzyUvtqbeI</a>
&mdash; Tre Kronor (@Trekronorse) <a href="https://twitter.com/Trekronorse/status/1788180953463927171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
However, it&#8217;s not all bad news for Canucks fans.
The club promptly reassigned the young sharpshooter back to the Abbotsford Canucks this morning.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL).
&mdash; Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1788222600457625926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Abbotsford is currently down 2-0 in their best-of-five series against the Ontario Reign. With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, Lekkerimäki will be a game-time decision for their home game on Wednesday evening.
With only one goal collectively in two games, the Canucks are undoubtedly eager to have his offensive firepower back in the lineup. If he does get the go-ahead for game three, he&#8217;ll bring with him a two-game point streak, extending back to when he last played for the team on April 6th and 7th.

It’s been quite the eventful Wednesday for Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki.

It began with receiving yet another award to place on the shelf, taking home the SHL "Rookie of the Year."

https://twitter.com/SHLse/status/1788104286225805721

This recognition comes as no surprise, considering his dominant performance in the U20 circuit, where he notched an impressive 19 goals and 31 points, outpacing the nearest rookie, Noah Östlund, by a significant eight-point margin.

As part of the award, Lekkerimäki also receives $50,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. Lekkerimäki opted to put the funds toward his hometown hockey club, Flemingsbergs IK.

Shortly after the award was announced, it was time for the big roster reveal.

After nearly a month of training with Team Sweden, including suiting up in six exhibition matches, the team officially announced their 2024 World Championship roster.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Lekkerimäki did not make the cut.

Despite a promising start to his chances, the addition of NHL-caliber players throughout the camp led to a crowded top-nine roster by the final decisions.

By now, we know this kid's calling card, and it's meant to be in a top-nine -- preferably top-six -- scoring role and with a stacked forward group, Lekkerimäki fell just outside of the cut.

This would have been Lekkerimäki's first appearance at the coveted tournament, and it would have been the perfect bow to add to an already memorable breakout campaign.

Here is the full list of players who will be representing Sweden this year:

https://twitter.com/Trekronorse/status/1788180953463927171

However, it's not all bad news for Canucks fans.

The club promptly reassigned the young sharpshooter back to the Abbotsford Canucks this morning.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1788222600457625926

Abbotsford is currently down 2-0 in their best-of-five series against the Ontario Reign. With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, Lekkerimäki will be a game-time decision for their home game on Wednesday evening.

With only one goal collectively in two games, the Canucks are undoubtedly eager to have his offensive firepower back in the lineup. If he does get the go-ahead for game three, he'll bring with him a two-game point streak, extending back to when he last played for the team on April 6th and 7th.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki wins SHL Rookie of the Year, cut from Team Sweden, and reassigned to Abbotsford Canucks

Recent articles from Dave Hall

Breaking News