When acquired with Zeev Buium and Marco Rossi as part of the Quinn Hughes return, Liam Öhgren was viewed as more of a throw-in for the Vancouver Canucks, considering he was still searching for his first point of the year, 18 games into his season.

However, he’s proven through his first 22 games in a Canucks sweater that he was a valued piece of the trade. An element that may have been overlooked when Öhgren was brought in was the fact that he has a previous relationship with another promising young Canuck, Jonathan Lekkerimäki.

A quick look at their respective HockeyDB pages would show they were on the same team for much of their junior years, but Öhgren gave further details on exactly how their friendship began.

“We both came to Djurgårdens in U16 and played together, played on the same line, pretty much our whole junior levels,” Öhgren told CanucksArmy. “We played on the national team together, [on the] same line there. So yeah, we’ve been good friends ever since we were 16 years old and working our way up to the highest level, and it’s pretty cool and special to be on the same NHL team and playing together in the best league in hockey.”

The two shared that they hadn’t met prior to their time in Djurgårdens, but both knew of each other. However, once they reported to Djurgarden’s Jr., their chemistry began to develop.

Öhgren had 33 goals and 58 points in 30 games, while playing alongside Lekkerimäki, who had 20 goals and 35 points in 26 games in the 2021-22 Swedish Junior season. Their efforts earned them a shot with the big club in the SHL. Öhgren had one goal and two points in 25 games, whereas Lekkerimäki had more success, scoring seven goals and nine points.

“I think we have great chemistry,” Öhgren shared. “We’ve played really good together. [We played] with Noah Östlund in Buffalo; us three were on the line pretty much our whole Junior years. We played really good, put up a lot of points, and won a lot of games for our teams. I feel like we know where each other [are] on the ice, and because we’re good buddies outside the rink.”

“We think the game the same way,” Lekkerimäki told CanucksArmy. “He’s a smart player. So yeah, we’ve found the chemistry out there.”

After the two were drafted five picks apart – with Östlund selected between the two – Öhgren and Lekkerimäki went back to the SHL for their draft-plus-one seasons, where they played for Djurgårdens of the Swedish Division 1 (developmental league). However, as Öhgren was more developed, he began the season with the big club, while Lekkerimäki had a brief two-game stint (two goals and five points) with the Junior team, before re-joining his friend and linemate.

The duo was productive, but Öhgren had more success, scoring 11 goals and 20 points in 36 games, while Lekkerimäki had three goals and nine points in 29 games. Once the playoffs rolled around, the two stepped up their game, with Lekkerimäki finishing as a point-per-game (five goals and 15 points in 15 games), while Öhgren had eight goals and 13 points in 17 games.

But after three seasons and two World Junior Championships under their belt, the duo was finally split.

Heading into their draft-plus-two seasons, both Öhgren and Lekkerimäki moved on from Djurgårdens for one final SHL season before heading overseas to chase their NHL dream. Öhgren went on to join Farjestads, while Lekkerimäki joined Orebro. After solid starts to their seasons, Öhgren and Lekkerimäki reunited for one last hoorah at the World Junior Championships.

Donning the Tre Kronor, both skaters played pivotal roles for the Swedes. Öhgren had two assists in seven games, but was viewed more for his leadership on the team, as he was honoured with the captaincy. On the other hand, Lekkerimäki was Sweden’s main goal scorer, leading the tournament in goals (seven) and was awarded as the tournament’s most valuable player.

While both players have different play styles, the contrast in production at the World Juniors goes to show that the duo found ways to complement each other’s game, even though they are very different player types.

“I mean, we’re not really the same players, you know?” Öhgren questioned. “We’re different, very different. I bring a lot of speed, physicality, and win puck battles. He’s very skilled, has a great shot, and we both have a good eye to put a puck in the net. And in that way, we want to score every shift we get together, and that mentality has been keeping us going forward and playing good.”

“He’s a fast skater and a good passer. I just try to be open and find my shot,” Lekkerimäki shared.

As far as they knew at the time, that was the last opportunity they would have to play with each other for some time.

After their respective SHL seasons, both players made the trip overseas to join the organization that drafted them. Lekkerimäki played six games in the AHL, while Öhgren got a four-game stint in the NHL, where he scored one goal and two points.

While both players have had different paths and are still developing into everyday NHL players, the opportunity to play with each other again is not lost on either of them.

“Yeah, it’s very exciting,” Öhgren said. “I mean, we got one shift [on Tuesday vs. Sharks], and it was great, just like old times. So, if we get that opportunity [again], it would be really fun, but obviously, every guy here is really good. No matter who I play with, it’s going to be a great player. But yeah, it’s obviously fun that he’s here, and we’re here together.”

“Yeah, I would love to play with him,” Lekkerimäki mentioned. “We’ve grown up together, so we know each other pretty well, and we can talk about everything. So, if we get the chance [to play] here, it would be very fun.”

And now that Lekkerimäki has been summoned from the AHL, he and Öhgren will finally have another opportunity to play with each other again. They may not have started on the same line in their first game back sporting the same colours, but the duo got a brief taste of action together late against the Sharks. But according to brief line rushes from Wednesday’s practice, the duo flanked Teddy Blueger.

Öhgren and Lekkerimäki could officially be reunited as early as tonight against the Anaheim Ducks.

You could see that the two truly do have a close relationship, one that stems further back than your typical teammate. Following CanucksArmy’s chat with Öhgren, and while speaking with Lekkerimäki, there was an exchange between the two in Swedish that left both players chuckling. When asked what Öhgren said to him, Lekkerimäki replied, “you better say good things about me.”

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