Canucks’ Jonathan Lekkerimaki to miss rest of season after undergoing successful surgery
The Vancouver Canucks received some clarifying news on Friday regarding one of their most promising young prospects.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced that winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki underwent successful surgery for a shoulder injury. The Swedish national will miss the rest of this season while in recovery, but is expected to be ready for the beginning of next season’s training camp in September.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Jonathan Lekkerimäki underwent successful surgery yesterday. Following his rehab, he will be ready for training camp in September.
It was reported on February 21st that Lekkerimaki would be having the surgery. It’s unclear exactly when Lekkerimaki suffered his shoulder injury, as he played for the Canucks right up until the Olympic break, but the surgery could be related to an injury he suffered in October that put him on injured reserve.
Lekkerimaki, 21, played in just 13 games for the Canucks this season, putting up two goals and an assist for three points. He has also played 21 games for the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks this season, where he’s tallied 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points.
Selected 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Lekkerimaki came to North America late in the 2023-24 season, when he had a goal and an assist during a six-game stint with Abbotsford.
Last season, he played 24 games in for Vancouver, notching three goals and three assists for six points. He played 36 games for Abbotsford, scoring 19 goals and adding nine assists for 28 points. He also contributed three goals and four assists for seven points over 16 postseason games during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup run.
With 43 points through 58 games, the Canucks sit dead last in the NHL and figure to be clear-cut sellers ahead of March 6th’s trade deadline.
Vancouver will visit the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, and then kick off a minitature two-game homestand against the Dallas Stars on Monday.