The Vancouver Canucks are calling up top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki from the minors following the team’s 7-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced Sunday that F Arshdeep Bains, F Nils Åman and G Artūrs Šilovs had been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL) while Lekkerimaki and G Ty Young would join the NHL club.
Originally selected 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the 20-year-old winger recorded five goals and two assists over seven games in the AHL this season. Lekkerimaki has yet to play a game in the NHL, meaning his Canucks debut could come as early as Tuesday evening at home vs. Calgary.
Meanwhile, Young, a fellow 2022 draft pick, gets his first taste of NHL action. In two starts for the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL, Young owns a .974 SV% and 1.01 GAA. Young’s recall also underscores that Thatcher Demko remains a ways away from making his return to NHL action as well.
Demko was placed on the season-opening IR while continuing to rehab a knee injury. The initial injury was suffered in March last year, forcing him to miss 14 games. He returned in time to close the regular season but went down again during the postseason and hasn’t seen game action since.
Photo: Sebastien Launay. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.