Swede winger was initially credited with an assist on Abby’s first goal in the 2-1 OT win over Colorado but it was later rescinded
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A second look at the Abbotsford Canucks’ first goal Friday night put a dent in the storyline of Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s AHL debut.
The 19-year-old Swede, who is the Vancouver Canucks’ top prospect, was initially credited with an assist on Max Sasson’s second-period goal in Abbotsford’s 2-1 overtime win over the Colorado Eagles at Blue Arena in Loveland, Colo.
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The helper was later rescinded when it was determined that an Eagles defender had control of the puck just prior to Sasson firing it home.
Jett Woo bagged the winner for Abbotsford in the extra session.
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Lekkerimäki joined the Canucks’ farm team this week after his season in the Swedish Hockey League with Orebro HK had ended. The plan is for him to be with Abbotsford for several weeks before returning to Sweden. He’s expected to be in the mix with their team for the world championship. The worlds are May 10-24 in Czechia.
Abbotsford is in Colorado again tonight. Abby has nine games remaining in the regular season.
“We are happy to have a chance to work more closely with Jonathan over the next little while,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin told canucks.com. “Over the next few weeks, Jonathan has a great opportunity to learn more about the North American game and our organization.”
Lekkerimäki was Vancouver’s first pick, No. 15 overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 172-pound right-shot winger signed his three-year, entry-level contract in May 2023.
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Lekkerimäki had 19 goals and 31 points for in 46 games and was the leading scorer for Orebro, a team that finished 10th in the 14-team SHL. He starred at the world juniors at Gothenburg, Sweden as well, grabbing tournament most valuable player honours after bagging seven goals and 10 points for the runner-up Swedes.
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