\u0027I was thinking too much in the beginning of the season, and in the playoffs, it was just go\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Dflow. — 1st\u002Dround \u002722 pick Lekkerimaki
If that wasn’t enough, he had a poor 2023 world junior tourney with just one goal in four games and was even benched as Sweden finished fourth. His regular season then ended abruptly in early February after suffering a foot injury in practice.“Sometimes, that happens in your career,” Lekkerimaki, 18, said Monday by Zoom when asked about his adversity. “I wasn’t ready for it, but I think I handled it good and things went pretty well in the playoffs.
Whether all that was the impetus for the Canucks to sign Lekkerimaki to a three-year, entry level contract Saturday — rather than wait another year — they obviously liked what they saw in the resolve to improve.“With each challenge he faced, he found a way to learn and grow,” added Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “We look forward to Jonathan joining our development camp in July.”
“He helped me a lot with getting stronger on the puck and winning puck battles against the boards,” said the right-winger. “Maybe two years, maybe one, I don’t know,” admitted Lekkerimaki, who wasn’t sure who he’ll be playing for in the fall. “I have to get bigger and better and faster with my first three steps, so we will see. Probably at least one more year in Sweden.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canucks sign top prospect Jonathan LekkerimakiThe Vancouver Canucks have signed their 2022 first\u002Dround draft pick.
Read more »
Canucks: The odd lottery, the circus and the draft-day miss on Matthew Tkachuk\u0027I had a meeting with them (Canucks) at the combine and it never seemed like they were that interested\u0027 — Tkachuk on the 2016 NHL draft
Read more »
Flames prospect Coronato pumped for worlds: ‘It’s definitely going to help me get better’After getting a taste of the NHL, Matt Coronato is ready to prove himself for Team USA at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
Read more »
Flames prospect Coronato pumped for worlds: ‘It’s definitely going to help me get better’After getting a taste of the NHL, Matt Coronato is ready to prove himself for Team USA at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
Read more »
Luckless Canucks face another NHL draft lotteryThe 2023 NHL Entry Draft Lottery is on May 8 at 5 p.m. Fans of the Vancouver Canucks are used to bad results.
Read more »
NHL Draft Lottery Preview: Rating the contending team’s prospect poolsConnor Bedard is the prize, but what prospect landscape will he be arriving to?
Read more »