Blue Architecture: “Vancouver has always been a new home for me”: Jonathan Lekkerimäki is excited for North America season 2
When Lekkerimäki entered his second year in Canucks, he felt more confident. Last year was his first rodeo in North America, but he is looking forward to returning to the horses in the 2025-26 season.
“I feel better about everything in the game,” he said. “This is my second year, it’s not my first boot camp and I know how it goes and how it’s doing the practice and how you play professionals and all of that. I have more confidence this year. It’s great to have my year.”
The offseason has been a good match for Lekkerimäki, who has played more games this season than any other year of his hockey career.
“I spent most of my time in Stockholm in Stockholm, enjoying the sunshine and Swedish food,” Lekkerimäki said. “I spent some time with my family, friends, just Swedish things.”
His summer training is another level than in previous years. He is getting stronger while working with a small group of teams in Stockholm. His main goal is to be bigger, stronger, faster, and he believes he has accomplished it.
“I tried to eat everything. I thought it was really good,” Lekkerimäki said.
Lekkerimäki worked closely with Canucks’ development team to improve his game in the dirty areas, crediting Samuelsson, Manny Malhotra and Sedins, and shared their experience and expertise.
“You have to be smart, too. You can't just be strong,” Lekkerimäki said of what he learned in a dirty area. “You have to figure it out, how to think about the defenders and all of that. But I feel good, I work a lot in the season and offseason. Hopefully I can get better on the board.”
Looking back at the 2024-25 season, Lekkerimäki talked about his NHL experience and what that means for his family.
“It's a dream and it's very special that I scored my first NHL goal in front of my parents. It's a great moment and a great memory for me and my family. It's been a whole good year, playing some NHL games, playing some meaningful games in the AHL. So, yes, it's good, it's cool.”
Later he joked that his parents would feel a little nervous during all the TV time they get.
After a season, he has more than ever before, and the 21-year-old hopes to achieve and succeed last season. In addition to scoring three goals in 24 NHL games, he scored 19 goals in 36 regular season AHL games.
He learned how hard it was for playoff hockey with Abbotsford Canucks and stood out in Game 4 of the Calder Cup final, scoring two goals, including a 3-2 win, leading 3-1 in the series.
There is still plenty of room for improvement in Lekkerimäki's race, but he felt like he had a pleasant summer in Sweden, his family time in Sweden was ready for a run when he returned to Vancouver, a place like a second home.
