The Vancouver Canucks will return to the Abbotsford Centre for a preseason game on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Just like 2024, Vancouver will host the Calgary Flames and it marks the fifth straight year that an NHL preseason game is played in Abbotsford.
The Abbotsford game will be Vancouver's second of six preseason games, with the club opening in Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on Sept. 21. Seattle and Vancouver then meet at Rogers Arena on Sept. 26.
The schedule continues with Vancouver travelling to Alberta's provincial capital to take on the two-time Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 28, a trip south to the Scotiabank Saddledome to take on the Flames on Oct. 1 and concludes with the Canucks hosting the Oilers in Vancouver on Oct. 3.
The Flames and Canucks previously met in Abbotsford on Sept. 25, 2024, with Vancouver earning a 4-3 win. Vancouver got goals from Jake DeBrusk (two), Max Sasson and Daniel Sprong. Goalie Jiri Patera made 16 saves to record the win.
The AC also hosted the Canucks vs. the Kraken on Oct. 4, 2023 and lost 2-1. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers came to town to take on Vancouver on Oct. 5, 2022, with the Canucks posting a 5-4 win. The AC also welcomed the Flames vs. Canucks on Sept. 27, 2021, with Vancouver posting a 3-1 win Vancouver began the run of pre-season games in Abbotsford with a 6-4 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 23, 2019.
The next big event on the Canucks calendar is the 2025 Development Camp, with 33 players reporting to UBC's Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from Monday (June 30) to Thursday (July 3). Players with Abbotsford connections heading to the camp include: forward Vilmer Alriksson and goalie Ty Young. 2025 Canucks first round draft pick Braden Cootes, who played with Abbotsford's Yale Hockey Academy, is also participating at the camp.
In other Canucks news, the team announced several signings ahead of the opening of free agency on Tuesday (July 1). Forward Aatu Raty was signed to a two-year (one-way) extension, forward Max Sasson agreed to a one-year (one-way) contract and defenceman Guillaume Brisebois signed on a one-year, two-way extension. A one-way contract means the player will make the same amount whether they play in the NHL or the AHL and a two-way means different totals depending on the league.
“Aatu had a strong year in Abbotsford and also showed some promise when being called up to the NHL,” stated Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “It was another good step in his development as he continues to learn and grow as a pro. We expect him to have a good summer and come to training camp in September ready to compete for a job in Vancouver.”
He added that Sasson was a big part of the Calder Cup win in Abbotsford.
“Max stepped up his game in the playoffs and played a pivotal role for the Abbotsford Canucks during their championship pursuit,” stated Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “His speed, quick pace of play and a lead by example mentality were key contributing factors in helping us win the Calder Cup. That championship-winning experience should help him a lot in his development moving forward.”
Forward Arshdeep Bains re-upped for a two-year extension, with year one being two-way and year two being one-way. The Canucks also announced that qualifying offers have been extended to defenceman Jett Woo and goalie Nikita Tolopilo. This allows the Canucks to retain negotiating rights with these players. The Canucks did not issue qualifying offers to defenders Cole McWard and Christian Felton and forwards Ty Glover and Tristen Nielsen. Those players are now free to explore other options.
Keep visiting abbynews.com for ongoing coverage of the Canucks' offseason.
