The Canucks training camp tour continues; two seasons ago in Abbotsford, last fall in Whistler, this September in Victoria. All three sessions featuring different head coaches; Travis Green in 2021, Bruce Boudreau in 2022, and now Rick Tocchet.
The sessions will be open to the public for a charitable donation of $5 that’s good for each full day beginning at 10 am on September 21st and running through Sunday, September 24th. Three of the four days will include four sessions, the final one wrapping up at 1:40 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Saturday will feature a 10 am warm-up, 10:30 am scrimmage and a 20-minute practice at 12:20 pm. Save-On Foods Memorial Centre is the venue.
Canucks Young Stars
Prior to camp, tomorrow in fact, the Vancouver Canucks ‘Young Stars’ will get started hosting that four-day round robin in Penticton against young-un’s from the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets.
The highest pick on hand for the Canucks will be 2018 1st-rounder Filip Johansson. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Swedish righty finished his 4th season in the top tier Swedish Hockey League last season before jumping into three playoff games for the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League.
20-year-old right winger Danila Klimovich is back for another go after playing 67 games for Abbotsford last season. The Belarusian was the Canucks 2nd-rounder, 41st-overall in 2021. Local favourite Arshdeep Bains, a Surrey native and free agent signee in 2022, is one of the headliners of the forward group.
Top prospects Jonathan Lekkerimaki, 2022 Canucks first rounder, is already playing and off to a good start with Orebro in the SHL, while 2022 3rd-rounder, defenceman Elias Pettersson, is slated to play juniors and pro for that same program in Sweden. They’ll both stay home this weekend.
2023 1st-round pick, Swedish righthanded defenceman Thomas Willander, is preparing for his first season at Boston University and also will not be on hand in the Okanagan.
NHL
The Traverse City rookie tournament in Michigan was the preeminent event of this kind for many years, often featuring eight teams. That round robin that starts today is down to four squads this time around, with the host Detroit Red Wings welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Buffalo Sabres presently take the cake with one of the largest events by number of teams. The Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ottawa Senators prospects will visit. The Vegas Golden Knights will also host a six team event featuring Western Conference squads. Those two events both start Friday.
Recent Canucks:
— Canucks Captain Hughes, The Gig Falls Into Place
— NHL Season Is One Long Try-Out For Plenty Of Canucks Free Agents
