We’ve had a goal parade since we last wrote one of these Blackfish Canucks prospect articles. The new year has already brought on some exciting storylines and it feels like a lot has happened since we last spoke about the prospects.
With that, let’s get right to the prospects!

Sweden always gets its own heading

If you’ve been around the site lately, there’s a ton of stuff on Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. We won’t go in on either of those players this week. If you’re looking for information on them, scroll to the bottom of this article, I’ve written plenty on them the past few days!
Here is Lekkerimäki’s goal from the beginning of the World Juniors.
As for Pettersson, he has been good for Sweden and there’s more information about his play here.
Let’s talk about another Swedish player who has been excellent of late.
Lucas Forsell was called back up to the SHL on Boxing Day and has scored three goals in Sweden’s top league since his promotion.
Forsell believes that he is starting to truly feel like himself now that he is back in the SHL with Färjestad after a 17-game loan to the Allsvenskan with BIK Karlskoga.
This kid has scored in bunches and he’s doing it right now in the SHL.
It’s too bad that Sweden didn’t select him for their World Junior squad, as he’s looking pretty damn good right now.
We like Forsell a lot because he has the skill to get excited about, but the more impressive trait in his game is the energy and effort level that he brings on a shift-by-shift basis. The kid wants to have the puck on his stick but knows that he has to go get it. Forsell is a carrier of offence instead of just a passenger.
He’s got another year left on his SHL deal after this season. We expect to see him in the AHL after that year.
It was a quiet week for Filip Johansson, who picked up an assist in a 3-2 win on Boxing Day. He continues to play 20ish minutes a night in the SHL and could very likely be here in North America when his season concludes. If not, he will be here next year.

The Farm is buzzing…

The 19-year-old AHLer, Danila Klimovich has been on a tear of late. He hasn’t been healthy scratched in a while and it’s likely because he is one of the best offensive producers at five-on-five on the AHL team right now.
In Abbotsford’s return from the Christmas break, Klimovich scored in the first game and then added two assists in his second game back.
Here’s the goal.
Assist number one.
Assist number two.
Then, on Monday night, he added another goal.
Whatever is being said to him by head coach Jeremy Colliton is working.
Klimovich is putting up points and still hasn’t consistently been on the Abbotsford power play. Once that comes, if he can keep this drive, it could end up being a big sophomore season for Klimovich.
Sticking in the AHL, with Collin Delia up with the big club, Arturs Silovs has been getting a good run as a starter in the AHL.
Since taking over as the full-time starter, Silovs has a 9-1-0 record with a .902% save percentage and one shutout.
It’s a heck of a good record and Abbotsford is really rolling right now.
Other prospects of note in the AHL include Arshdeep Bains, who is up to 14 points in 25 games this season; Jett Woo who has a pair of goals and is moving with some added pace; and Linus Karlsson, who is now at 26 points through 30 games in his rookie season.
As I said, the farm is buzzing…

Odds and ends

Winger Connor Lockhart had a hat trick and was named the OHL player of the week.
He has nine points through three games this week.
Finnish defenceman Joni Jurmo has two goals in his last five Liiga games.
It will be interesting to see when he comes over to North America. Our understanding is that he wants it to be as soon as possible. We will have to see if the Canucks want him in the AHL or want to let him season over in Finland for more time.
Those are all the biggest stories in the week that was for the Canucks prospects all around the world. We will see you next week to chat about how Sweden wrapped up their World Juniors and showcase any other highlights from the Vancouver Canucks’ prospect pool.