Giants Select 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki in the 2022 CHL Import Draft

July 1, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release

Vancouver, B.C. - With the seventieth overall pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, the Vancouver Giants have selected 2004-born Swedish winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Huddinge, SWE).

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is expected to be selected in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft, he was ranked 6 among European Skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 5'11", 172-pound right winger split last season between Djurgårdens IF (SHL) and Djurgårdens IF J20 (J20 Nationell). In 26 games with the senior team, he scored 7 goals and had 2 assists, and in 26 games with the junior team he finished with 20 goals and 15 assists.

Lekkerimaki led the World U18 Tournament in scoring this year, with 15 points in only 6 games.

He is the fourth Swedish-born player ever selected by the Giants in the CHL Import Draft, joining Jesper Vikman (2021), Fabian Lysell (2020), and Casper Carning (2010).

The Giants have used both their allotted picks in the import draft.

Western Hockey League Stories from July 1, 2022

• Silvertips Add Czech Forward, Swiss Goaltender in '22 CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
• Winterhawks Select NHL Draft Prospect Jan Špunar During CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Silvertips Unveil New Branding for 20th Anniversary Season - Everett Silvertips
• Pats Select Forward Auer, Goaltender Hrabal in CHL Import Draft - Regina Pats
• Blades Select Czechia Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
• WHL Clubs Select 23 Players from Nine Nations in 2022 CHL Import Draft - WHL
• Oil Kings Select Luca Hauf at 2022 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Blazers Selected Two Players in 2022 CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Americans Select Adam Mechura in 2022 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
• Chiefs Select Forward Tommaso de Luca in 2022 CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• Hitmen Select Vojtech Husinecky in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Giants Select 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki in the 2022 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
• Rockets Make Single Selection In Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Hurricanes Select Alex Ciernik in Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Royals Select Robin Sapousek with Seventh Pick in CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
• Baco & Rysavy Returning for the 2022-23 Season - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Giants Select 2004-Born Forward Samuel Honzek in the 2022 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
• Chiefs Make Roster Moves Ahead of 2022 CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Vancouver Giants Stories

• Giants Goaltender Hood Selected by Islanders in 2025 NHL Entry Draft
• Giants Forward Schmidt Selected by Dallas Stars in 2025 NHL Entry Draft
• Giants GM Domenichelli, Head Coach Burgess Officially Introduced Thursday
• Giants Name Hnat Domenichelli GM; Parker Burgess Head Coach
• Giants Alumni Nielsen, Sasaki Help Abbotsford Canucks Win Calder Cup