Vancouver Canucks fans got some important updates on Friday about one of their rising stars. General Manager Patrik Allvin confirmed that winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki underwent successful shoulder surgery. While this means Lekkerimaki will be sidelined for the rest of the season, the good news is he's expected to be ready for training camp come September.
The decision for surgery was announced on February 21st, though the exact timing of the injury remains a bit of a mystery. Lekkerimaki played up until the Olympic break, and there’s speculation this surgery might link back to an October injury that had him on injured reserve.
At 21, Lekkerimaki has shown promise in his limited appearances. This season, he played 13 games with the Canucks, scoring two goals and adding an assist. His time with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks has been more productive, with 13 goals and seven assists over 21 games, totaling 20 points.
Drafted 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Lekkerimaki made his North American debut late in the 2023-24 season, managing a goal and an assist in a brief six-game stretch with Abbotsford.
Last season, he played 24 games for Vancouver, recording three goals and three assists. In Abbotsford, he was even more impactful, with 19 goals and nine assists over 36 games. He also chipped in three goals and four assists during Abbotsford’s Calder Cup playoff run.
Currently, the Canucks find themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings with 43 points in 58 games. As the March 6th trade deadline approaches, they’re likely to be active sellers.