The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their 2024 training camp at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton on Thursday, and it included one forward line combination of particular interest.

Elias Pettersson, the Canucks’ franchise centre, skated with new UFA acquisition Jake DeBrusk on his left wing during Thursday’s on-ice session.

On the right side? None other than Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the Canucks’ first-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft.

It’s seldom wise to read too much into line combinations on the first day of training camp, but Lekkerimäki doesn’t necessarily feel like a placeholder in that spot.

The 20-year-old winger was named the Swedish Hockey League’s top rookie last year after collecting 19 goals and 31 points in 46 games during the 2023-24 regular season. He also earned recognition as the most valuable player of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship after scoring seven goals and 10 points in seven games to help Team Sweden capture silver on home ice.

Lekkerimäki signed his entry-level contract with the Canucks in 2023. His deal will take full effect with the upcoming 2024-25 campaign, which will also be his first complete season in North America; Lekkerimäki skated in six games with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks to conclude the 2023-24 season.

The Canucks also ran with Conor Garland, Aatu Räty, and Nils Höglander on a forward line together as part of Group A on Thursday. The team’s on-ice sessions in Penticton will run through Sunday, September 22, concluding with a Blue vs. White scrimmage on the final day.

The biggest news on Thursday morning concerned the ongoing saga of Thatcher Demko’s health, which has been a near-constant topic of discussion among fans in Vancouver this summer. The star goaltender addressed the media in Penticton on Thursday and also hit the ice himself for a light workout while accompanied by goaltending coach Marko Torenius.

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