canucks – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

July 5, 2026

The Vancouver Canucks included six invitees to their 2026 Development Camp, which took place from June 30 to July 2 in Abbotsford.

The Tone from the Top

Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson opened the camp taking place from June 30 to July 2, 2026 by explicitly telling all attendees—draft picks and invitees alike—not to worry about making mistakes. The overarching message was to focus on being a good teammate and enjoying the experience. Development coaches Mike Komisarek and Mikael Samuelsson emphasized that the goal was to create a comfortable environment free from the fear of judgment.

Evaluating the Six Invitees

The Canucks’ approach to giving these six free agents a chance to showcase themselves was split into two distinct categories:

The Abbotsford Signees (Austin Brimmer & Bennett Schimek): Because both Brimmer and Schimek had already signed one-year AHL contracts to play in Abbotsford for the 2026-27 season, their invitation was about immediate integration. The Canucks wanted to give them a head start on understanding the organizational standards and getting acclimated to the physical demands required by the coaching staff. Bringing them to camp allowed the development team to establish a baseline for their summer training and ensure they are culturally aligned before the main training camp begins in the fall.
The Undrafted Free Agents (Connor Dale, Nate Tivey, Nils Roberts Maurins, & Anders Miller):For the four unsigned prospects, the camp served as a mutual feeling-out process. While the players were looking to leave a lasting impression on Vancouver’s development staff to potentially earn future professional contracts or minor-league tryouts, the Canucks were looking primarily for intangibles.
As Samuelsson noted during the camp, talent provides a head start, but character is what takes a player a long way.
Management wanted to see how these invitees handled the environment, how they interacted with top-tier prospects like first-round picks Caleb Malhotra and Adam Novotný, and whether they possessed the resilience the organization values.

When navigating the Canucks’ path back to playoff contention, identifying hidden depth talent and establishing a cohesive, player-first development culture are critical steps. By prioritizing relationships and character evaluation over raw on-ice results during a short summer camp, the Canucks are hoping to uncover late-blooming talent that might have been overlooked in the draft while building trust across their entire prospect pool. Source: ‘Canucks Development Camp Focuses on Hard Work and Relationship-Building”.

The Invited

Player	Pos/Shot	Age/(DOB)	Height/Weight	Hometown	2025-26
Austin Brimmer	RW / Right	24 (Aug 10, 2001)	6’4″ / 223 lbs	Markham, ON	Abbotsford Canucks (AHL)
Connor Dale	LW / Left	21 (Jan 29, 2005)	6’2″ / 184 lbs	St. Albert, AB	Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Bennett Schimek	RW / Right	23 (Apr 15, 2003)	6’0″ / 187 lbs	Mendota Heights, MN	Arizona State (NCAA) / Abbotsford (AHL)
Nate Tivey	D / Left	22 (Mar 27, 2004)	6’6″ / 210 lbs	Burlington, ON	Saint John (QMJHL) / Quinnipiac (NCAA)
Nils Roberts Maurins	G / Catches L	19 (Sep 6, 2006)	6’4″ / 176 lbs	Riga, Latvia	Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Anders Miller	G / Catches L	19 (Oct 4, 2006)	6’2″ / 190 lbs	Anchorage, AK	Everett Silvertips (WHL)

The 411

1. Austin Brimmer (Forward)

A hockey player wearing a white and blue jersey gliding on ice while controlling a puck with a stick during a game.

NHL Draft Status: Undrafted (Free Agent)
Prospect Information & Evaluations: Brimmer is an older prospect who recently transitioned from the NCAA (Long Island Univ. & RIT) to the AHL. He is known primarily for his heavy frame and physical edge rather than his offensive output.
Strengths, Talents & Skills: Massive physical presence, heavy checking ability, and a willingness to drop the gloves to defend teammates. He provides an imposing net-front presence and energy in the corners.
Weaknesses & Downside: Very limited offensive ceiling and scoring production. His skating and lateral mobility may lack the dynamic burst required for an everyday, modern NHL role.
AHL Outlook:
- Upside: A bruising, middle-six winger who creates physical space for skilled linemates and establishes a punishing forecheck.
- Downside: A bottom-line energy player whose offensive ceiling keeps him in a purely physical depth role.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A prototypical fourth-line call-up who injects size and energy into the lineup for short stints.
- Downside: Lacks the lateral foot speed and transition pace required to stay in a modern NHL lineup.
Upside: A bruising, bottom-six AHL enforcer or physical depth forward.
Downside: Minor-league depth who struggles to keep up with the pace and skill of top-tier professional leagues.
Positive Highlights: Brimmer tied for the RIT scoring lead with 25 points in 36 games during his senior year while wearing an ‘A’ for the Tigers. His coach praised his extreme dedication, which immediately translated into earning a one-year AHL contract and making his pro debut with Abbotsford.

2. Connor Dale (Forward)

A young ice hockey player in a blue and white uniform skating on the rink while handling a hockey stick. A referee is visible in the background, and there is a sponsorship board for a hotel group.

NHL Draft Status: Undrafted (Free Agent)
Prospect Information & Evaluations: A WHL journeyman who split his major junior career across four teams (Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, and Swift Current). He is a gritty depth piece who has learned to adapt to multiple team systems and coaching styles.
Strengths, Talents & Skills: Adaptability, relentless forechecking, and penalty-killing experience. He plays a hard-working, straight-line game that relies heavily on effort and defensive responsibility over flash.
Weaknesses & Downside: Highly limited offensive production (15 total goals across several WHL seasons). He lacks high-end puck skills, creativity, and finishing ability.
AHL Outlook:
- Upside: A defensively responsible, middle-six forward who anchors a checking line.
- Downside: An ECHL tweener who struggles to produce enough offense to secure a permanent AHL roster spot.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A reliable fourth-line defensive specialist who limits mistakes.
- Downside: Fails to reach the NHL level due to an absence of high-end puck skills or explosive skating.
Upside: Reliable defensive forward and penalty killer at the ECHL or AHL level.
Downside: An ECHL tweener who may not generate enough offense to stick in a minor-league middle six.
Positive Highlights: Dale is incredibly durable and experienced, having logged 227 career WHL games—including 58 with the Vancouver Giants. He capped off his junior career with an excellent 60-point campaign in 65 games and is highly regarded for his work ethic as he heads to Merrimack College.

3. Bennett Schimek (Forward)

Hockey player in a yellow and maroon uniform skating while handling a puck on the ice, with a cheering crowd in the background.

Draft & Scouting Evaluation: Undrafted. Schimek is an incredibly smart, high-motor offensive catalyst. He possesses excellent spatial awareness and has proven he can produce points at every level he has played.
Skills & Talents: High offensive IQ, natural scoring touch, spatial awareness, and the ability to consistently force turnovers on the forecheck.
- AHL Outlook: Upside: A legitimate top-six scoring threat and power-play contributor at the AHL level.
- Downside: A middle-six complementary piece if he struggles against larger, physical pro defensemen over a full season.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A bottom-six offensive spark plug who can slide up the lineup in a pinch or during injury situations.
- Downside: He may top out as an elite AHL scorer if his physical strength does not translate to the NHL grind.
Positive Highlights: Schimek’s transition to the professional ranks was nothing short of spectacular. After posting 43 points in 35 games at Arizona State, he joined Abbotsford and immediately lit up the AHL with 5 goals and 11 points in just 13 games to close out the season.

4. Nate Tivey (Defenseman)

A young hockey player wearing a white jersey with blue accents and the number 2, skating on the ice during a game, with a focused expression and short, curly hair.

Draft & Scouting Evaluation: Undrafted. A towering presence on the blue line, Tivey has taken a deliberate development path through the QMJHL and into a top NCAA program. He uses his massive reach to disrupt passing lanes and angle forwards off the rush.
Skills & Talents: Immense reach, excellent defensive positioning, strong breakout passing, and proven leadership traits.
AHL Outlook:
- Upside: A top-four, shutdown defenseman who kills penalties and reliably suppresses opposition scoring chances.
- Downside: A third-pairing defensive specialist if his mobility plateaus.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A reliable, bottom-pairing shutdown defenseman who keeps the crease clear.
- Downside: A heavy-footed AHL depth defender who lacks the transition speed to consistently handle NHL forecheckers.
Positive Highlights: Tivey brings a highly coveted 6’6″ frame to the organizational pipeline. He previously served as the captain of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs during the 2024-25 season, showcasing maturity and leadership before transitioning seamlessly to a rigorous Quinnipiac system.

5. Anders Miller (Goaltender)

A hockey goalie in a green and white uniform standing in front of the net, preparing to block a shot. The ice rink is visible in the background.

Profile: Age: 19 | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 190 lbs | Catches: Left | 2025-26 Team: Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Draft & Scouting Evaluation: Undrafted. Miller is a technically proficient goaltender who relies on crisp movements and excellent positioning. Scouts praise his post integrations and ability to read plays as they develop.
Skills & Talents: Elite footwork, technical proficiency in the butterfly, strong rebound control, and mental resilience under heavy shot volumes.
AHL Outlook:
- Upside: A strong, starting goaltender capable of carrying a heavy workload.
- Downside: A reliable backup or 1B option who splits time in the crease.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A capable and technically sound NHL backup.
- Downside: May get trapped on the depth chart behind goaltenders with more prototypical size or explosive athleticism.
Positive Highlights: Still only 19 years old, Miller had a fantastic breakout season with Everett. His mental fortitude and strong underlying mechanics provide an incredibly solid foundation, giving him a long and promising development runway.

6. Nils Roberts Maurins (Goaltender)

A hockey goalie in a black and orange uniform is making a save in front of the net, with a hockey stick on the ice and a goal net in the background.

Profile: Age: 19 | Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 176 lbs | Catches: Left | 2025-26 Team: Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Draft & Scouting Evaluation: Undrafted. Maurins utilizes his large frame to play a deep, structured game in the crease. He focuses on staying square to the shooter and letting the puck hit him rather than relying on desperation saves.
Skills & Talents: Excellent prototypical size, structural composure, calm crease presence, and strong angle coverage.
AHL Outlook:
- Upside: A solid AHL starter who can comfortably navigate the rigors of professional hockey.
- Downside: An ECHL starter if he cannot adjust to the speed and traffic of the North American pro game.
NHL Outlook:
- Upside: A reliable NHL backup who utilizes his 6’4″ frame effectively.
- Downside: Struggles to track pucks laterally against elite NHL shooters, keeping him in the minor leagues.
Positive Highlights: Maurins brings highly valuable international experience, having represented Latvia at both the U18 and U20 levels. He possesses the unteachable asset of size, fitting the modern mold of what professional scouting departments look for in raw goaltending prospects.

Until next time, hockey fans

A Vancouver Canucks hockey puck on the ice with the words 'RD' and 'SIX' displayed beside it.

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

July 4, 2026

Inside Look: Canucks’ Samuel Eriksson – His Upside, Downside

The Vancouver Canucks utilized their 184th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft to select Swedish defenseman Samuel Eriksson.

Eriksson comes from Färjestads J20 team in Sweden, where he accounted for nine points in season 2025/26. During the season he represented Sweden in several tournaments. He was part of the U18 national team that took gold and was also included in the team who played the World Junior A Challenge where it became a bronze.

Getting a 6-foot-5, 212-pound left-shot defenseman is the quintessential low-risk bet on physical prototypes. Samuel Eriksson fits right into the wheelhouse of Canucks GM Ryan Johnson and Vancouver’s European scouting department. He represents a massive swing on a pure, stay-at-home defensive prototype.

Hockey player in a green and white uniform standing on the ice, wearing a helmet and face guard, with a blurred crowd in the background.

Profile

Category	Details
Position / Shoots	Defense / Left
Height / Weight	6’5″ / 212 lbs
Born	March 20, 2008 (Karlstad, Sweden)
2025–26 Club	Färjestad BK J20 (Nationell) / SHL (1 GP)
2025–26 Stats (J20)	32 GP
Notable Hardware	2026 IIHF U18 World Championship Gold Medalist (Team Sweden)
Pre-Draft Rankings	#59 (THN/Kennedy), #84 (Sportsnet), #144 (EliteProspects), #171 (McKeen’s)

Key Skills & Talents

Elite Reach & Gap Control: His outrageous wingspan makes him a nightmare to navigate around. He forces dump-ins and pushes attackers to the perimeter simply by occupying passing and skating lanes.
Spatial Denial & Outrageous Reach: Eriksson’s defining asset is his wingspan. He covers an absurd amount of ice in the defensive zone without needing to scramble. He relies on excellent stick-detail to close passing lanes early, force dump-ins at the blue line, and trap puck carriers along the wall. The Hockey Writers
Stick Details & Board Play: He excels at defensive zone stickwork. He finishes plays along the boards effectively, boasting a high puck-battle win rate, and routinely boxes out the crease.
Heavy Point Shot: While he doesn’t utilize it often, he possesses a blazing, heavy slap shot from the point when he decides to let it go.
High-Percentage Puck Movement: Eriksson plays a very simple, deferential game. He completes passes at a high clip (around 81%) primarily because he takes the safe route—using the glass, executing high flips, or making sharp, simple first passes to his partner rather than attempting risky stretch plays.
Disciplined Physicality: Unlike many young 6’5″ blueliners who chase massive hits out of position, Eriksson plays a contained, punishing game. He finishes attackers with heavy bodychecks along the boards, but his discipline is startling for his size—he recorded just 18 penalty minutes across 32 junior games this season. He rarely puts his team on the penalty kill. The Hockey Writers
High Panic Threshold: Under heavy F1 forechecking pressure, Eriksson does not throw the puck away blindly. He possesses a calm, steady rhythm, displaying the poise to absorb a hit to make a safe deferral pass, or intelligently use the glass to flip pucks out of danger. The Hockey Writers
Heavy Point Shot: While he won’t quarterback a power play, he possesses a heavy, low slapshot from the blue line that excels at creating rebound traffic around the crease. The Hockey News
Eriksson is a behemoth on the blue line who already possesses an NHL-ready frame. He is evaluated almost exclusively as a shutdown, defensive-minded blueliner. His game is defined by structure, discipline, and the sheer amount of space he takes away from opposing forwards.The Hockey Writers

Areas Needing Improvement

Skating Mechanics: The primary reason Eriksson was available in the sixth round is his footwork. Public scouts widely describe his stride as “clunky.” He lacks explosive acceleration and his four-way rotational agility needs significant work. At the NHL level, rapid directional changes against elite rush attackers will test him on every shift. The Hockey Writers
Offensive Transition: He is strictly a pass-first, stay-at-home option. His puck touches lack high-end pace, and his pre-shot passing rates are low. If a play requires threading a stretch pass through the neutral zone or walking the blue line to open up a shooting lane, Eriksson will almost always opt for the safer, low-event alternative. Neutral Zone

Projected Upside & Fit with Vancouver

Projection: High-floor, low-ceiling shutdown defenseman (Bottom-Pairing / Penalty Kill Specialist).

Style Comparable: Joel Edmundson in his prime. The Hockey Writers

While many defensemen his size struggle with discipline and taking undisciplined stick infractions, Eriksson is incredibly composed—recording only 18 penalty minutes across all levels last season. He rarely overcommits and plays with a high panic threshold, preferring to absorb pressure rather than scrambling. The Hockey Writers

Why this works for Vancouver:

Value: Landing a player ranked as high as #59 by The Hockey News and #31 among European Skaters by NHL Central Scouting down in the sixth round represents exceptional draft economy. Elite Prospects
- For a 6th-round pick, Eriksson offers excellent value for Vancouver. The Canucks are landing a player with a clear, translatable identity. He is not going to run a power play or lead the rush, but his imposing size and defensive instincts give him a realistic path to the NHL as a 5th or 6th defenseman.
Development Path: Because he is in the Swedish pipeline with Färjestad BK, the Canucks do not need to rush an entry-level contract. Vancouver can allow him to develop in the SHL for the next two to three seasons to build lower-body power with pro skating coaches before bringing him over to Abbotsford.
Structural Fit: Vancouver’s organizational blueprint prioritizes long, heavy defensemen who can kill plays quickly on the walls to facilitate quick breakout transitions for the forward group.
- If Vancouver’s development staff can work with him to refine his skating mechanics—specifically improving his agility and pivots—and encourage him to assert his physical edge more consistently, Eriksson has the tools to become a highly effective, punishing minute-muncher who can anchor a third pairing and heavily contribute to a penalty kill.