It didn’t take long for Jonathan Lekkerimäki to score his first career goal as the Vancouver Canucks top prospect lit the lamp in just his second career game. The goal came 2:40 seconds into Vancouver’s game against the New York Islanders and was just his third shot as an NHLer. The moment was made extra special as Lekkerimäki’s parents were at Rogers Arena and were featured on the jumbotron after the goal.
Lekkerimäki’s first career goal was categorized as a snapshot, as he beat Semyon Varlamov from 42 feet. J.T. Miller and Filip Hronek assisted on Lekkerimäki’s first goal. Lekkerimäki is the 19th player from the 2022 draft class to score, joining the likes of Juraj Slafkovský, Shane Wright and Logan Cooley.
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A goal-scoring machine in the AHL, Lekkerimäki had five goals in seven games with the Abbotsford Canucks before being called up. The 15th overall pick from 2022, Lekkerimäki was named MVP of the 2024 World Juniors and also won SHL Rookie of the Year last season. He was also named Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season.