Story Summary
Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the Swedish forward drafted by Vancouver in the first round of 2022, has returned to full training during the Canucks’ pre-season after a February shoulder operation that ended his 2025-26 season. Lekkerimäki said he rested for about a month after surgery, completed his summer training as planned and now hopes to earn a place with Vancouver while taking jersey number 23.
Key Facts
- Jonathan Lekkerimäki played 13 games in the 2025-26 season and recorded 2+1.
- He underwent a shoulder operation in February which ended his 2025-26 season early.
- Lekkerimäki is back in full training during Vancouver’s pre-season.
- Lekkerimäki said: ” It feels good to be back. It’s nice to be with the guys on the ice again.”
- He also said: ” I’ve had a good summer. It took four weeks before the wound from the operation healed properly. Then it was back to the bike. So it didn’t take so long; I think it went well.”
- He hopes to make the Canucks this coming season and will wear number 23, a number vacated after a recent acquisition.
- He said: ” I think I have a good opportunity here. We’re a young team, but a young and hungry team. I’ve had Malhotra for two years now and it’s nice to have him here. He is a good coach.”
- Lekkerimäki broke through at Djurgården in 2021/22 and played in three World Junior Championships for Sweden between 2022 and 2024.
- In 2023/24 he recorded 32 points in 49 games for an unspecified club.
- He was drafted by Vancouver in the first round in 2022.
IHM Discussion
Lekkerimäki’s return to full pre-season work is a straightforward and encouraging rehab milestone. The decision to operate in February – explicitly intended to give him the best chance of being ready for the next season – appears to have delivered the intended outcome: a roughly four-week immediate recovery followed by normal summer conditioning. That timeline leaves him physically available to argue for an NHL roster spot through training camp and pre-season opportunities. His own comments underline both confidence and realism: he acknowledges the healing period but describes the broader summer work as going ” well.” The reference to Malhotra and to a young, hungry roster also frames the Canucks as a setting where a young forward could reasonably expect to push for regular minutes if he shows the right form.
Why It Matters
For Vancouver, Lekkerimäki’s return adds another young forward option as pre-season progresses. For the player, full training gives him the opportunity to compete for an NHL spot after a season shortened by surgery. His previous production – including 32 points in 49 games in 2023/24 and three World Junior Championship appearances for Sweden – provides useful context for his development.
Mini Q&A
What happened to Jonathan Lekkerimäki last season?
He featured in 13 games in 2025-26 and recorded 2+1 before a shoulder operation in February ended his season early.
Is he fit now?
According to Lekkerimäki, the surgical wound healed after about four weeks and he completed summer training as planned; he is back in full training during Vancouver’s pre-season.
What does he hope to achieve this season?
He hopes to earn a spot with the Canucks in the coming season and will wear number 23.
What is his background?
He broke through at Djurgården in 2021/22, played three World Junior Championships for Sweden between 2022 and 2024, posted 32 points in 49 games in 2023/24 for an unspecified club, and was a first-round pick by Vancouver in 2022.
Coach Mark Comment
From a coaching standpoint, full pre-season training is an important step for a young forward returning from surgery. It allows the staff to assess how he handles the pace of camp and whether he can build enough momentum to challenge for a roster place. The next measure is his work on the ice as pre-season continues.
What Comes Next
Monitor Lekkerimäki’s usage and performance through Vancouver’s remaining pre-season activities and training camp to see whether he earns a spot on the opening-season roster.
IHM Final View
Lekkerimäki’s return to full pre-season training gives him a realistic opportunity to compete for NHL ice time. The operation was timed to give him the best chance of being ready for the new season; now he must turn a productive summer into effective on-ice work in camp and pre-season.