Abbotsford Canucks: A look back at the 2025/2026 season

Shaylene Tielmann

Going into the 2025/2026 the Abbotsford Canucks were looking to defend the Calder Cup Champion title. The first few games of the season looked good, however, this changed quickly. With a number of injuries sidelining major players in the big club early in the season, it led to a number of players moving between Abbotsford and Vancouver. 

By the end of the season over 55 different players dressed for the Abbotsford Canucks alone; 29 forwards, 18 defensemen and 8 goalies. Between the two-way players moving up and down, players signed to professional tryouts and injuries, it created an interesting dynamic that challenged everyone when it came to finding consistency in game play. 

With all of the challenges Abbotsford faced, there were a number of players that stood out throughout the season. 

Forwards

When it came to the forwards there was a lot of movement between the big club and Abbotsford, but there were a number of players that held it down and made a difference when they could. 

Though it could be said that it was a ‘quieter’ year for him, Nils Åman, was the points leader for the Abbotsford Canucks. In 55 games he had 6 goals and 35 assists. Though he wasn’t a goal scorer he did set up opportunities for his teammates. This was evident when on a line with Ty Mueller and Arshdeep Bains. That line played an important role in a number of games later in the season. He recently signed with the SHL for the upcoming 2026/2027 season. 

In his first full season in the AHL Ben Berard made a case for himself leading to a one year extension to his contract for the 2026/2027 season. In 63 games played Berard secured 37 points, 20 of which were goals. He also represented the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL All Star Games, and scored a highlight reel worthy shoot out goal. This summer he was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp and played in a pre-season game against the Calgary Flames. 

Ty Mueller continued to prove his importance to the team securing 37 points in 63 games played. He was third in goals scored behind Berard and Danila Klimovich. He had 21 assists throughout the season. He was a key player for much of the line rotations and a key leader on the ice. Mueller was also called up to Vancouver where he scored his first NHL goal. This summer he was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp and played in a pre-season game against the Calgary Flames.

Chase Wouters played 70 games and garnered 26 points. Wouters has been the captain of the Abbotsford Canucks since their inaugural season in 2021. Through his time with Abbotsford he has been the heart of the team and any player will attest to his leadership skills. New players are quick to name as the person to offer them a welcome and bring them into the fold. His efforts were rewarded this off season, with the signing of his first NHL contract for a one year two-way contract for this coming season. He was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp and made his Vancouver Canucks debut in a pre-season game against the Seattle Kraken. 

Arshdeep Bains started the 2025/2026 season in Vancouver, then got shifted to Abbotsford where he was an impact player. He secured 24 points in 34 games played. When on a line with Åman and Mueller they made waves together and proved to be the dynamic line matchups. Bains was invited to participate in the Vancouver Canucks training camp and played a few pre-season games. 

Near the end of the season Abbotsford added two players from the NCAA; Bennett Schimek and Austin Brimmer. 

Schimek put up 11 points in 13 games, proving that he has what it takes to play this new speed of game. With the full 2026/2027 season ahead of him he has a lot of room to grow and continue to prove he has what it takes to make it up to the big club. Schimek had an eventful off-season as he was invited to the Vancouver Canucks development camp, the Prospects Showcase and the Vancouver Canucks training camp.

Austin Brimmer played 13 games putting up 1 point in those games. However, he made himself known as an enforcer for the Abbotsford Canucks. In his first game he dropped gloves proving that he has the physicality to play at this level and is willing to defend his teammates. He also had an eventful off-season getting invitations to the Vancouver Canucks development camp, Prospects Showcase and the Vancouver Canucks training camp. 

Defense

When it came to defense the Abbotsford Canucks were lacking in returning and veteran players on the team. Jet Woo started the season on the injured reserve list and was traded to the San Jose Barracuda before the trade deadline. Though there were more seasoned players added to the roster there was only one returning player that stayed in Abbotsford throughout the 2025/2026 season, Kirill Kudryavtsev. 

Kudryavtsev played 44 games and garnered 20 points. Though he faced injury that did not stop him from making an impact throughout the season. He was originally meant to represent the Abbotsford Canucks at the AHL All Star Games but due to injury had to pass it up in order to heal. Kudryavtsev also played 3 games up in the big club and secured 2 points. He was a part of the Vancouver Canucks Prospects Showcase and was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp. He made an appearance in the pre-season games against the Seattle Kraken and the Calgary Flames. 

Sawyer Mynio played 58 games garnering 21 points throughout the season. He faced an injury that sidelined him for a small chunk of the season but proved he was a needed player on defense. He was part of the Vancouver Canucks Prospect Showcase and was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp. He played in the first pre-season game of the season against the Seattle Kraken. 

Jack Thompson was acquired from the San Jose Sharks during the Jett Woo trade. He played 14 games and secured 13 points. He got his first point as an Abbotsford Canuck in his first game. He signed a one year two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks in the off season. He was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but unfortunately took a puck to the face early on which would sideline him from the remainder of camp. 

Goaltending

Goaltending in both Abbotsford and Vancouver was a challenge throughout the season with injuries impacting both clubs. Abbotsford saw 8 different goalies dress for the team. There were three goalies that stepped up; Ty Young, Aku Koskenvuo and Jiří Patera.

Jiří Patera was the veteran in net once Nikita Tolopilo was called up to the Vancouver Canucks for a more permanent position after injuries sidelined Thatcher Demko. Patera played 30 games and was at one point brought up to the big club when injuries and illnesses affected the Vancouver roster. 

Ty Young played a total of 17 games throughout the Abbotsford season, spending time down in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings. His game play grew exponentially throughout the season, showing his development and confidence in net. He was invited to the Vancouver Canucks Prospect Showcase and the Vancouver Canucks training camp. It will be interesting to see what his 2026/2027 season will look like, will he continue to spend time with Kalamazoo or will he have a more permanent position with Abbotsford? 

Aku Koskenvuo made his AHL debut and played 9 games with Abbotsford. In his debut he secured a shoot out win. He also spent the rest of his time down in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings. He was also invited to participate in the Vancouver Canucks Prospects Showcase and was invited to the Vancouver Canucks training camp. He will be a player to keep an eye on in this coming 2026/2027 season. 

The 2026/2027 season is underway with the Abbotsford Canucks playing their first ever pre-season game against the Calgary Wranglers on Sunday, September 27 at 6 pm at Rogers Forum. Their home opener will be on October 17 at 7 pm at Rogers Forum after starting their year on the road with back to back away series.