Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki set to return to Sweden for World Championship training

Unfortunately for Abbotsford Canucks fans who had hoped to see him in more AHL action, Lekkerimäki’s name appeared on that list.

The training is scheduled to commence on April 14th in Stockholm, Sweden and will span over 11 days. During this time, the team will engage in practices and participate in four pre-tournament games, including two against Team Finland’s national team and finish with two against the SHL club team, Linköping.

While the news may disappoint Abbotsford fans, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as this was the management’s plan all along. It was anticipated that the 19-year-old would receive an invitation to join his national team, and it would be up to him to make the final decision on whether he’d like to participate.

The news follows a six-game stint with Abbotsford, where he compiled a goal and an assist with a plus-two rating. Many wondered if he’d be able to withstand the physicality of AHL hockey, and he passed the test with flying colours while looking more comfortable with each passing game.

While the exact timeline of his departure from the team remains unclear, there is a possibility that he takes part in one last match on Thursday, April 11 in Calgary.

However, should he depart before that, he leaves with a two-game point streak, including his first AHL goal, scored on Saturday night in front of the home crowd at the Abbotsford Centre.

Should he secure a spot on Team Sweden’s roster, this will mark Lekkerimäki’s World Championship debut. This follows his impressive performance at the U20 World Juniors, where he tallied seven goals, 10 points, a Silver Medal, and earned the tournament MVP title.

Also invited was former Vancouver Canucks’ draft pick Jonathan Myrenberg. The 20-year-old, who took part in 53 SHL games this season, was drafted in the fifth round (140th overall) in 2021 and was traded to the Boston Bruins in a deal that sent him, along with goaltender Michel DiPietro in exchange for Jack Studnicka in 2022.

The World Championships officially take place from May 10th to May 26th in the Czech Republic.

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