The Abbotsford Canucks have two forwards joining the team in the midst of a long road trip.

The Vancouver Canucks announced on Thursday (Nov. 21) that rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been reassigned to Abbotsford. 

The 2022 first round draft pick has appeared in five NHL games for Vancouver and recorded one goal and seven shots. He averaged 14:48 of playing time per game. Lekkerimäki has played seven games for Abbotsford and has seven points.

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today F Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL) and F Max Sasson has been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL).

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)

Arriving to Abbotsford from the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings is forward Ben Berard. The Duncan product leads the Wings in scoring with 10 points in 12 games. The 25-year-old signed with the Canucks organization on July 31 and has spent parts of the previous two seasons with the AHL's Texas Stars. He recorded four points in 30 games with the Stars in 2023-24 and played in seven playoff games.

He played college hockey with the Ithaca, N.Y.-based Cornell University Big Red from 2019 to 2023. Berard played junior hockey with the BCHL's Powell River Kings and Cowichan Valley Capitals and served as the Kings captain in the 2018-19 season. His top season in the BCHL saw him collect 67 points in 58 games in the 2017-18 season.

Heading 🆙

Ben Berard has been recalled from his loan by Abbotsford (AHL)! Congratulations, Ben!

— Kalamazoo Wings (@KalamazooWings)

Heading up to Vancouver from Abbotsford is forward Max Sasson. The undrafted free agent signed with the organization in 2023 and debuted late in the 2022-23 regular season. He also suited up in six playoff games. Sasson went on to be named the team's rookie fo the year in 2023-24 and recorded 42 points in 56 games, including six game-winning goals. This season he has nine points in 16 games.

Abbotsford is in Nevada to take on the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday (Nov. 22) and Saturday (Nov. 23). The team's next home game is Dec. 7. Vancouver also hits the road starting with a date against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

“Being a second year guy here, I feel a lot more confident and I feel like I can be a leader to some of the younger players."

From scoring the first goal at Young Stars to taking his game to the next level, Max Sasson meets 1-on-1 with Rinkside Reporter Olivia McDonald.

— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider)