Abbotsford Canucks

American Hockey League team in Abbotsford, British Columbia

Abbotsford Canucks

City| Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
League| American Hockey League
Conference| Western
Division| Pacific
Founded| 1932
Home arena| Abbotsford Centre
Colours| Field green, Pacific blue, Fraser blue, valley fog grey, mountain white[1]

Owner(s)| Canucks Sports & Entertainment
General manager| Ryan Johnson[2]
Head coach| Manny Malhotra
Captain| Chase Wouters
Affiliates| Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Website| abbotsford.canucks.com
Franchise history
1932–1935| Quebec Beavers
1935–1951| Springfield Indians
1951–1954| Syracuse Warriors
1954–1967| Springfield Indians
1967–1974| Springfield Kings
1974–1994| Springfield Indians
1994–2005| Worcester IceCats
2005–2013| Peoria Rivermen
2013–2021| Utica Comets
2021–present| Abbotsford Canucks
Championships
Division titles| 0
Conference titles| 1 (2024–25)
Calder Cups| 1 (2024–25)
Current season

The Abbotsford Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The team began play in the 2021–22 season with home games at Abbotsford Centre as the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks. The team is a relocation of the franchise owned by the Canucks and known as the Utica Comets from 2013 to 2021. This is the second AHL team to play in Abbotsford after the Calgary Flames affiliate Abbotsford Heat from 2009 until 2014.

## History

[edit]

The Abbotsford Canucks franchise is one of the oldest professional hockey franchises in existence, dating back to 1932, when the team was known as the Quebec Beavers. In 1935, the franchise moved to Springfield and became the Indians, reviving the name after the original Indians franchise ceased operations during the 1932–33 Canadian-American Hockey League season. In addition to the Indians, the team has been known as the Syracuse Warriors, Springfield Kings, Worcester IceCats, Peoria Rivermen, and Utica Comets.

On March 29, 2013, Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CS&E), owners of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Vancouver Canucks, was announced as purchasing the American Hockey League (AHL) franchise then playing as the Peoria Rivermen. The purchase was approved by the league on April 18.[3] After purchasing the franchise, CS&E intended to have the franchise located in a market close to Vancouver with their initial preference as Abbotsford, which at the time was home to the Calgary Flames AHL farm club, the Abbotsford Heat. The Heat had been rumoured to be relocating to Utica, New York, at the time.[4] Negotiations between the Canucks and Abbotsford broke down by April 22 and the Heat remained in the city.[5]

After exploring options for having the team in Vancouver,[6] Seattle,[7] and Peoria,[8] CS&E came to a six-year operating agreement with Robert Esche to place the franchise in Utica and the city's soon-to-be-renovated Memorial Auditorium as the Utica Comets.[9] The Comets began play in the 2013–14 AHL season. The Heat lasted only one more season in Abbotsford before relocating to Glens Falls, New York, as the Adirondack Flames in 2014. Before the 2019–20 season, CS&E and Esche's operating contract was extended for up to an additional six years, with potential opt outs every two seasons.[10][11]

On July 14, 2021, the name, logo, and colours for the Abbotsford Canucks were released.[1] The Vancouver Canucks transferred both former Comets general manager Ryan Johnson[2] and head coach Trent Cull to Abbotsford.[12]

On June 8, 2025, the Abbotsford Canucks advanced to the Calder Cup final for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Texas Stars in 6 games.[13] This marked the fourth appearance of the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate in the final round joining the 1987-88 Fredericton Express (shared affiliation with the Quebec Nordiques), 2008-09 Manitoba Moose, and 2014-15 Utica Comets.

On June 23, 2025, the franchise won its first Calder Cup by defeating the Charlotte Checkers in 6 games becoming the first franchise from the AHL's Pacific Division, the first Western Canadian team, and the first Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate to win the Calder Cup.[14]

## Season-by-season records

[edit]

Regular season  | Playoffs

|

Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | PCT | GF | GA | Standing | Year | Prelims | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals
2021–22 | 68 | 39 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 84 | .618 | 230 | 200 | 5th, Pacific | 2022 | L, 0–2, BAK | — | — | — | —
2022–23 | 72 | 40 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 87 | .604 | 229 | 203 | 4th, Pacific | 2023 | W, 2–0, BAK | L, 1–3, CGY | — | — | —
2023–24 | 72 | 40 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 87 | .604 | 234 | 210 | 5th, Pacific | 2024 | W, 2–1, COL | L, 0–3, ONT | — | — | —
2024–25 | 72 | 44 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 92 | .639 | 241 | 204 | 2nd, Pacific | 2025 | W, 2–1, TUC | W, 3–1, CV | W, 3–2, COL | W, 4–2, TEX | W, 4–2, CLT

## Players

[edit]

### Current roster

[edit]

Updated June 28, 2025.[15]

No. | Nat | Player  | Pos | S/G | Age  | Acquired  | Birthplace  | Contract

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

46 |  | Vilmer Alriksson | LW | L  | 20  | 2025 | Enebyberg, Sweden | Vancouver
3 |  | Joe Arntsen | D | L  | 22  | 2024 | Swift Current, Saskatchewan | Abbotsford
13 |  | Arshdeep Bains | LW | L  | 24  | 2022 | Surrey, British Columbia | Vancouver
29 |  | Ben Berard | LW | L  | 26  | 2024 | Duncan, British Columbia | Abbotsford
8 |  | Zach Berzolla | D | R  | 27  | 2024 | Howell, New Jersey | Abbotsford
79 |  | Samuel Blais | LW | L  | 29  | 2024 | Montmagny, Quebec | Abbotsford
71 |  | Josh Bloom | LW | L  | 22  | 2023 | Oakville, Ontario | Vancouver
55 |  | Guillaume Brisebois | D | L  | 27  | 2021 | Longueuil, Quebec | Vancouver
34 |  | Phillip Di Giuseppe (A) | LW | L  | 31  | 2021 | Maple, Ontario | Vancouver
58 |  | Christian Felton | D | R  | 25  | 2024 | Medina, Ohio | Vancouver
61 |  | Ty Glover | C | L  | 24  | 2023 | Salford, England, Great Britain | Vancouver
41 |  | Akito Hirose | D | L  | 26  | 2023 | Calgary, Alberta | Vancouver
17 |  | Dino Kambeitz | RW | R  | 25  | 2024 | Parker, Colorado | Abbotsford
94 |  | Linus Karlsson | C | R  | 25  | 2022 | Eksjö, Sweden | Vancouver
15 |  | Jujhar Khaira | C | L  | 30  | 2025 | Surrey, British Columbia | Abbotsford
18 |  | Danila Klimovich | C | R  | 22  | 2021 | Pinsk, Belarus | Vancouver
59 |  | Kirill Kudryavtsev | D | L  | 21  | 2024 | Yaroslavl, Russia | Vancouver
89 |  | Jackson Kunz | C | L  | 22  | 2025 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Abbotsford
82 |  | Lee Lapid | C | R  | 27  | 2024 | Thornhill, Ontario | Abbotsford
23 |  | Jonathan Lekkerimaki | RW | R  | 20  | 2024 | Huddinge, Sweden | Vancouver
75 |  | Jonathan Lemieux | G | L  | 24  | 2023 | Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec | Abbotsford
90 |  | Victor Mancini | D | R  | 23  | 2025 | Hancock, Michigan | Vancouver
48 |  | Cole McWard | D | R  | 24  | 2023 | Fenton, Missouri | Vancouver
39 |  | Ty Mueller | C | L  | 22  | 2024 | Cochrane, Alberta | Vancouver
45 |  | Sawyer Mynio | D | L  | 20  | 2024 | Kamloops, British Columbia | Vancouver
84 |  | Tristen Nielsen | C | L  | 25  | 2021 | Fort St. John, British Columbia | Vancouver
42 |  | Zachary Okabe | RW | R  | 24  | 2024 | Fukuoka, Japan | Abbotsford
30 |  | Jiri Patera | G | L  | 26  | 2024 | Prague, Czech Republic | Vancouver
54 |  | Aatu Raty | C | L  | 22  | 2023 | Oulunsalo, Finland | Vancouver
63 |  | Max Sasson (A) | C | L  | 24  | 2023 | Birmingham, Michigan | Vancouver
31 |  | Arturs Silovs | G | L  | 24  | 2021 | Riga, Latvia | Vancouver
83 |  | Nathan Smith | C | R  | 26  | 2024 | Tampa, Florida | Vancouver
14 |  | John Stevens (A) | C | L  | 31  | 2021 | Sea Isle City, New Jersey | Abbotsford
60 |  | Nikita Tolopilo | G | L  | 25  | 2023 | Minsk, Belarus | Vancouver
90 |  | Cooper Walker | C | R  | 22  | 2023 | Cambridge, Ontario | Abbotsford
86 |  | Christian Wolanin | D | L  | 30  | 2022 | Quebec City, Quebec | Vancouver
4 |  | Jett Woo (A) | D | R  | 24  | 2021 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Vancouver
21 |  | Chase Wouters (C) | C | R  | 25  | 2021 | North Battleford, Saskatchewan | Abbotsford
85 |  | Ty Young | G | L  | 20  | 2024 | Coaldale, Alberta | Vancouver

### Team captains

[edit]

* Chase Wouters, 2022–present

### Head coaches

[edit]

* Trent Cull, 2021–2022
* Jeremy Colliton, 2022–2024
* Manny Malhotra, 2024–present

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "AHL's Newest Franchise Named Abbotsford Canucks". Vancouver Canucks. July 14, 2021.
2. ^ a b "Ryan Johnson Confirmed as G.M. of Abbotsford Franchise". Vancouver Canucks. June 25, 2021.
3. ^ "Report: Vancouver Canucks Purchase Rivermen; Move to Abbotsford?". Thecanuckway.com. March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
4. ^ Kramer, Lindsay (February 26, 2013). "Possible AHL move to Utica stirs conflicting reports". The Post-Standard. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
5. ^ McIntyre, Gordon (April 23, 2013). "Abbotsford Heat staying put for next season at least after Canucks talks break down". The Province. Archived from the original on May 17, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
6. ^ Dan Kinvig (April 13, 2013). "Heat's territorial rights limit Canucks' local AHL options - Abbotsford News". Abbotsford News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
7. ^ Mirtle, James (June 17, 2013). "Seattle on NHL's relocation radar yet again". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
8. ^ Eminian, Dave (April 23, 2013). "Civic Center begins talks with NHL Vancouver over Rivermen". Peoria Journal-Star. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
9. ^ Brough, Jason (June 6, 2013). "Report: Canucks moving AHL affiliate to Utica". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
10. ^ "Canucks extend affiliate deal with the AHL's Utica Comets". The Province. December 29, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
11. ^ "Canucks extend AHL affiliate deal with Utica Comets". Vancouver Canucks. December 29, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
12. ^ "Coaching and Training Staff for Abbotsford Canucks Announced". Vancouver Canucks. July 16, 2021.
13. ^ Kuzma, Ben (June 8, 2025). "Abbotsford Canucks Recap: Max Sasson the hero as Abby advances to Calder Cup with 4-2 victory". The Province. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
14. ^ Beggs, Trevor (June 23, 2025). "Abbotsford Canucks complete epic comeback to win first-ever Calder Cup". Daily Hive. Daily Hive Vancouver. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
15. ^ "Abbotsford Canucks Team roster". eliteprospects.com. June 28, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
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Abbotsford Canucks

* Formerly the Quebec Castors, Springfield Indians, Worcester IceCats, Peoria Rivermen, and Utica Comets
* Founded in 1932
* Based in Abbotsford, British Columbia

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