Photo: The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Brannstrom offered some advice to forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki as the two headed onto the ice for the Swedish rookie’s first NHL game Tuesday night.

“I just told him to have fun,” Brannstrom said. “It’s just hockey. He has played so many games in his life. Just keep going.

Lekkerimaki hasn’t been flashy, but he played a consistent game in his NHL debut, as the Canucks beat the Calgary Flames 3-1.

The 20-year-old from Tullinge, Sweden, who was selected 15th overall by Vancouver in the 2022 NHL Draft, had 14:07 of playing time, made two shots, had one hit and gave up the puck twice.

“It was pretty good,” said the five-foot-11, 172-pound right winger. “It was a special moment. I tried to take advantage of it.

To make the night even more special, Lekkerimaki’s parents, Ellinor and Peter, were in the crowd watching at Rogers Arena.

“It was very good,” Lekkerimaki said. “They’ve been there since day one.”

Lekkerimaki looked comfortable on the Canucks’ first unit power play, replacing the injured Brock Boeser. He had a good chance to score, taking a low, hard shot that Flames goaltender Dan Vladar was able to block.

“It was a great opportunity, just to do my thing,” he said.

Although Lekkerimaki is a man of few words, Canucks coach Rick Tocchet had plenty to say about the fast-skating Swede who has 19 goals and 31 points in 46 games in 2023-24 with Orebo of the League Swedish hockey team.

“There’s definitely a lot to like,” Tocchet said. “He’s an intelligent player. When he has the puck, there’s not a lot of panic. He’ll just get better. There is a lot to build on.

Lekkerimaki also received praise from Canucks forward JT Miller who had two assists during the game.

“He played really well today,” Miller said. “He makes a lot of subtle little plays and he played fast.

“He seemed to be in the right place most of the time. I’m very impressed and hope he can get more and more comfortable as he goes on.

Elias Pettersson scored a power play goal for Vancouver and assisted on Brannstrom’s first goal since joining the Canucks in a trade from Colorado on Oct. 6.

Pius Suter also scored for the Canucks (8-3-3).

Justin Kirkland scored for Calgary (8-6-3).

Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen stopped 28 shots to improve to 8-1-2.

Vladar finished with 29 saves for Calgary.

Pettersson likes Lekkerimaki’s potential shows.

“I’m very happy for him,” Pettersson said. “He deserved it. He made a few good plays and was close to getting a quick breakaway on a pass from Miller.

“He looked good. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

The Canucks recalled Lekkerimaki from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks earlier this week. In seven games with Abbotsford this season, he has five goals and two assists. He missed four games due to illness to start the season.

Lekkerimaki said he was both excited and nervous to take the ice for his first NHL game.

“It was just a game,” he said. “I just worked hard.”

With his first match under his belt, Lekkerimaki knows where he needs to improve his game.

“I think I need to get stronger with the puck and get more shots,” he said. “I’m a shooter, so I want to shoot the puck more. I’m here for a reason, so just play my game.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 13, 2024.