The Canucks and Patrik Allvin announced the signing this Sunday of the team's top prospect, Jonathan Lekkerimaki. He joins a solid core of Swedes led notably by Elias Pettersson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
When the Canucks selected the Swede in Montreal in the 2022 draft, Lekkerimaki had divulged his high esteem for Elias Pettersson stating that the fellow Swede was his favorite player on the Canucks. After a full season within the Canucks organization, Pettey has grown on the youngster as he now describes him as his idol.
Pettersson has developed into quite the superstar this year and the fact that the younger players in the organization look up to him this much surely sets a promising future. Pettersson's leadership is expected to take a whole new level and the fact that the always learning you looks up to him and his habits is definitely a step in the right direction for this team's culture.
Lekkerimaki did not have the anticipated success in the regular season, but he exploded during the playoffs where he earned the contract he's just signed. Lekkerimaki is set to become an exciting winger, early in his career he's drawn comparisons to another great Swede in William Nylander.
He is expected to remain in Sweden for next year as he seeks opportunities in the SHL, however, with a signed contract, it shouldn't be too long before we get to see him on our screens. Whether it'd be in Abbotsford or Vancouver.
