Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the 19-year-old right winger for Örebro HK, is this year’s recipient of the Elite Prospects Award, which goes to the top junior-aged (U20) player in the Swedish Hockey League. Lekkerimäki led all junior-aged players in the league with 19 goals and 31 points in 49 games. He added an assist in three post-season games as Örebro was bounced in the play-in round.

“Of course, it’s fun to receive an award for my season,” Lekkerimäki told Ronnie Rönnkvist of HockeySverige.se.

At this winter’s IIHF World Junior Championship, Lekkerimäki recorded 10 points in seven games and was named tournament MVP in Sweden’s silver-medal effort.

Lekkerimäki was chosen 15th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. After his season in Örebro finished, he played six games for Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, recording a goal and an assist.

“It was good, educational,” he said of his experience in the AHL. “I got to play on a small rink and feel what it was like there. Glad I got to play some games too.”

He is currently in the training camp for the Swedish national team in preparation for the IIHF World Championship, which begins May 10. He is on the Swedish roster for a four-team tournament this weekend against Switzerland, Czechia and Finland.

“It was a lot of fun when Sam (Hallam) called and said I would join,” said Lekkerimäki. “I've now been there for two weeks, but we'll see how it goes in the future. In any case, it's been a lot of fun.”

Lekkerimäki edged out Växjö Lakers center and Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Östlund for the award. Axel Sandin Pellikka, Liam Öhgren and Oscar Fisker Mølgaard rounded out the top five in voting.

Previous winners:

2013: William Karlsson
2014: Alexander Wennberg
2015: Axel Holmström
2016: Gustav Forsling
2017: Joel Eriksson Ek
2018: Elias Pettersson
2019: Emil Bemström
2020: Nils Lundkvist
2021. Moritz Seider
2022: Simon Edvinsson
2023: Leo Carlsson