Vancouver Canucks Prospect Showcase shows high hopes for the future
The Vancouver Canucks hosted the Seattle Kraken for a 2 day prospect showcase at Rogers Forum in Abbotsford. The games highlighted some of the top talent for both teams and what the future holds for their organizations.
Though game 1 of the showcase did not go in Vancouver’s favour, losing 7-3, there were, however, a lot of positives to be seen and players that showed great potential.
Coach Ryan Papaioannou when asked his thoughts on the game stated, “I mean, systematically [we were] pretty sloppy, which is expected. I think competitively, we had to be happy with the group. [It] got away from them in the third a little bit, but I think you know individually when we look at some of the performances, I thought there were some bright spots.”
Vancouver’s lineup was made with a mix of both prospects who have played in the AHL/ECHL and those who were newer to this level. Though the first game had some struggles with finding their groove and consistency, there was a desire to learn and grow.
The younger guys showed grit and made adjustments ahead of the second game. Game 2 had Vancouver looking like a different team. The lines found their footing and there was a sense of calmness going into the game. The structure was also completely different which helped them with their consistency throughout the full 60 minutes.
The Standouts
There were a number of players that stood out in both games of this showcase. The players that spent time with the Abbotsford Canucks over the past season or two added a level of maturity and guidance to the game. Ty Mueller, Kirill Kudryavtsev, and Joe Arntsen wore the A’s in game 1, while Braeden Cootes, Sawyer Mynio and Kudryavtsev wore them for game 2.
Though there were a number of great players present at this showcase, there were 8 that stood out above the rest.
Adam Novotný
From development camp to the prospect showcase Novotný has been the player to watch. There is an energy and maturity to his game that is hard to find. He’s confident in his plays and you can tell when he is on the ice. His presence is felt when he is on, he is constantly watching and reading plays, trying to set up a shot or support his teammates.
Over the showcase weekend he scored 2 goals and got 2 assists. He is a dynamic player and adds energy to the team. The Canucks have signed him to a 3-year entry level contract and based on what he has produced in his first two games in the Vancouver jersey he will be a great addition to the roster.
Braeden Cootes
There is a confidence in Cootes playing style that has developed since his first appearance as a Canuck last season. There is also a sense of maturity that has grown in his game even since the Canucks development camp at the beginning of summer. His presence on the ice is felt. You can see him looking for the plays and trying to drive the puck to the next.
This confidence and maturity earned him the A in game 2. He also secured a goal in the second game of the showcase weekend. He is playing with a lot on the line and whether he makes it to the big club or plays in Abbotsford for a season he will be a great addition to the team.
Brooks Rogowski
Rogowski was one to watch in development camp and again at the showcase. Standing at 6’7 he is one of the tallest on the ice. Though many believe that height could be a hindrance to his game it only makes him more incredible to watch. He’s a player that sees the ice and sets up the plays. Which was seen on his 2 assists in game 2.
There is a level of calmness in his game as well. He never looks rushed or flustered. He takes in the play, what’s taking place and then makes the decision on how best to support his teammates.
In post game he was asked if he felt “more like a passer or a shooter”, to which he responded “I think as of now, probably more of a passer, but I’m trying to develop more of that shooting mentality.”
Gabe Chiarot
Chiarot was also at development camp this past summer and you could see there was a lot of growth that occurred after. He had a confidence throughout the showcase weekend that was not quite there during camp. The confidence helped his game play and led to getting an assist on Mynio’s goal in game 1.
Throughout the weekend he was a visible presence on the ice looking for plays and setting them up. He will be making his debut as an Abbotsford Canuck this coming 2026/2027 season. His playing style will be a welcome addition to the team.
Bennett Schimek
Schimek has been a player to watch since he made his Abbotsford Canucks debut near the end of last season. He also made waves throughout development camp and the showcase was not much different. His confidence and ability to read plays makes him dangerous in front of the net. This led to 1 goal in the second game, but there were many chances during both games.
He will be playing with the Abbotsford Canucks again this coming season, and his game play will continue to grow and develop making him more of a threat in front of the net.
Kirill Kudryavtsev
Kudryavtsev has been a staple on the defensive line for the Abbotsford Canucks for 2 years and his skills and leadership were seen throughout the showcase. He wore the A for both games and proved to be a key player on the defensive line, while also being a key play maker assisting on 2 goals in 2 games. He helped set up Alriksson’s goal in game 1 which was the first Vancouver goal. As well as, assisted on Schimek’s goal in game 2.
Kudryavtsev will be in Abbotsford again this coming season and will be a player to watch on the defensive line.
Vilmer Alriksson
Alriksson, similar to Rogowski, is a tall player but manages to use his height to create plays. He was a key part of the Abbotsford Canucks this past season despite an injury that sidelined him near the end of the season. His skills and strength on the ice opened Vancouver’s scoring in game 1 of the showcase.
Though game 2 didn’t see much action from him, he was still another presence that was felt on the ice. He will be a key player in the Abbotsford lineup this coming season.
Sawyer Mynio
Mynio has a few development camps under his belt as well as a full season with the Abbotsford Canucks which led to his presence and skills being noticeable on the defensive line throughout the showcase.
You can see the growth from the end of the Abbotsford season to development camp to this showcase as well. There was a sense of maturity in his game. He seemed a lot more comfortable on the ice and with the pace of the game. It also led to him scoring a goal and assisting on Alonso Gosselin’s goal in the second game.
His presence on the ice and his ability to read plays also had him wearing the A in game 2 of the showcase. He will be back in Abbotsford this coming season.
Honourable Mentions
There were a few players that deserved to be recognized as honourable mentions. First, is Ty Mueller, he only played the first game of the showcase, but he wore the A, got 2 assists. Second honourable mention was Alonso Gosselin, who got the fifth and final goal for Vancouver in game 2. The third was Riley Patterson, he was a constant presence on the ice. You could see the determination in his game and he will definitely be one to watch in Abbotsford this season. The final honourable mention is Ilya Safonov again he was a noticeable presence on the ice. Setting up plays and supporting his teammates. He will be making his Vancouver Canucks debut this year.
The Vancouver Canucks organization has a lot of talent in their prospect pool. Whether these players make it to the big club this year, play in Abbotsford or spend another year or two developing in the major juniors, there is a lot of promise for the future of this team.
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