Abbottsford Canucks News – CanucksBanter

Oct 5th 2022

By Abbotsford Canucks

PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. – The Abbotsford Canucks announced today the club’s initial training camp roster, prior to its first on-ice session at Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The 24-man roster includes 12 forwards, 10 defencemen and two goaltenders.

The 2022 Training Camp Roster features seven former Vancouver Canucks draft picks. In addition, 10 players were signed as free agents to AHL contracts, three players were signed as free agents to NHL contracts by the Vancouver Canucks, one player was acquired via trade by the Vancouver Canucks and two players are currently participating on AHL Training Camp try-out agreements.

Sixteen (16) players from the roster appeared in at least one game with the Abbotsford Canucks during the team’s inaugural season in 2021-22.

2022 Abbotsford Canucks Training Camp Roster

Two (2) goaltenders, 2021-22 team(s): Michael DiPietro (Vancouver – NHL, Abbotsford – AHL), Artūrs Šilovs (Abbotsford – AHL, Trois-Rivieres (ECHL)

Ten (10) defencemen, 2021-22 team(s): Matt Anderson (South Carolina – ECHL, Minnesota-Duluth – NCHC), Guillaume Brisebois (Vancouver – NHL, Abbotsford – AHL), Noah Juulsen (Vancouver – NHL, Abbotsford – AHL), Alex Kannok Leipert (Abbotsford – AHL), Wyatt Kalynuk (Chicago – NHL, Rockford – AHL), Brady Keeper (did not participate due to injury), Dylan MacPherson (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – AHL, Wheeling – ECHL), Chad Nychuk (Brandon – WHL), Quinn Schmiemann (Kamloops – WHL), Jet Woo (Abbotsford – AHL)

Twelve (12) forwards, 2021-22 team(s): Matt Alfaro (Abbotsford, Manitoba, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – AHL, Wheeling – ECHL), Vincent Arseneau (Abbotsford – AHL), Arshdeep Bains (Red Deer – WHL), Carson Focht (Abbotsford – AHL, Kalamazoo – ECHL), Marc Gatcomb (Abbotsford – AHL, UConn – HEA), Yushiroh Hirano (Abbotsford – AHL, Cincinnati – ECHL), Danila Klimovich (Abbotsford – AHL), Will Lockwood (Vancouver – NHL, Abbotsford – AHL), Tristen Nielsen (Abbotsford – AHL), Michael Regush (Miami-Ohio – NCHC), John Stevens (Abbotsford – AHL), Chase Wouters (Abbotsford – AHL)

Source: Abbotsford Canucks

By Brian Helberg Oct 19th 2021

The Abbotsford Canucks lost 4-3 against the Ontario Reign on Tuesday night at Toyota Arena. For the second consecutive game, 60 minutes was not enough time to determine the outcome as tonight’s contest was decided in overtime.

Abbotsford earned a point in the loss to give them a total of three points through their first three games of the season.

Tonight’s game got off to a bumpy start for the Canucks. The Reign were aggressive in the attacking zone, pushing the tempo and utilizing their speed to create scoring chances. Johan Sodergran opened the scoring at the 6:49 mark and Samuel Fagemo followed up by scoring a goal of his own less than a minute later. Ontario held a 2-0 lead after the first period.

The Canucks fought back to cut the Reign lead in half during the middle period. It was beginning to feel like Ontario netminder, Matthew Villalta was destined for a clean sheet tonight but Carson Focht put an end to his shutout bid with just over a minute left in the second period. The 21-year-old centreman wristed a gorgeous shot that was placed perfectly to make it a 2-1 game after two periods.

The Canucks capitalized on the shift in momentum, tying the game at 2 on the power play at the 4:29 mark in the third period when Sheldon Dries found the back of the net for the first time in an Abby Canucks uniform.

Justin Bailey gave the visiting side their first lead of the night, sneaking a wrist shot between the legs of Villalta to give the Canucks a one goal advantage.

Unfortunately, the Reign stormed back late to tie the game with under two minutes to play. Martin Frk tickled the twine to force overtime.

A penalty from Madison Bowey proved fatal for the Canucks. Despite Michael DiPietro’s best efforts to keep Abbotsford alive, Frk deflected a Brayden Burke shot that found it’s way into the back of the net with less than 10 seconds remaining in the man advantage.

It was a heart breaking defeat for the Abbotsford Canucks and a disappointing way to end their opening road trip but they showed a lot of grit to fight their way back into this game.

It took them nearly two periods to figure out how to beat Villalta, but the flood gates opened once they did.

DiPietro also showed great poise in net for the Canucks. The 22-year-old goaltender fought through his early struggles and kept the Canucks hopes alive by making numerous clutch saves during the final 50 minutes of this game.

The Abbotsford Canucks (1-1-1) will now head home to the Fraser Valley to take on the Henderson Silver Knights (2-0-0) in their home opener on Friday, October 22nd. The Canucks will enter play hoping to put tonight’s heart wrenching result in the rear view mirror. The Henderson Silver Knights will suit up on Friday night as winners of their only two contests this season, both against the Colorado Eagles. It will be a special night for those in attendance at Abbotsford Centre as this will be the first home game in Abby Canucks history.

BRIAN HELBERG