Building a contender in the NHL requires layers of depth throughout an organization. Over the relatively short period since the Abbotsford Canucks joined the AHL, Vancouver has benefitted from having their AHL affiliate located in their own backyard, just an hour down Highway 1. Management has accumulated a variety of intriguing players, including Nils Höglander and Vasili Podkolzin, who have served as prime examples of Abbotsford’s successful development program, while others could be on their way to joining the Vancouver Canucks sooner rather than later.
Arshdeep Bains went undrafted in the WHL draft, which is an obstacle to playing hockey professionally. This didn’t deter the Surrey-born forward, as he would go on to play 257 games after signing with the Red Deer Rebels as a WHL free agent. His path was complicated further after not being selected in the NHL entry draft, but Bains responded by leading the WHL in scoring in 2021-22, his over-age season, with 112 points. That strong season earned Bains a contract with the Canucks on March 11, 2022. He would go on to make his pro debut in Abbotsford during the 2022-23 season, finishing fifth in team scoring with 38 points.
This season, Bains has taken his game to another level, being named an AHL all-star and earning the all-star game MVP. At the time of writing, this season Bains has 48 points in only 51 games — 10 more than he had all of last season. After being called up to Vancouver this year and becoming just the fourth Punjabi player ever to play in the NHL, watch for Bains to crack the opening-night roster next season.
Aatu Räty, a former second-round pick of the New York Islanders, was one of the main pieces coming to Vancouver through the Bo Horvat trade. Räty has lacked consistency in his pro career, signing his entry-level contract with the Islanders before splitting time between their NHL and AHL affiliates. After the trade, Räty has predominantly played in Abbotsford, with a handful of games in Vancouver. Playing on four teams in two years would make adjusting difficult for anyone. With some newfound routine and consistency, Räty has enjoyed a strong 2023-34 season for Abbotsford, scoring 41 points in 60 games at the time of writing. Contrasted against two goals and 12 points in 25 games last season, there’s no comparison. With Räty’s offensive pedigree and ability to play centre, he could be in position to take a job on Vancouver’s roster with a strong pre-season performance next year.
The Vancouver Canucks have expiring contracts on their defence, making 2022 third-round pick, Elias Pettersson, (no, not that one) an interesting name to keep an eye on. Pettersson, who joined Abbotsford this month on March 13 after his season in Sweden ended, bears no relation to the Vancouver all-star with the same name. The defenceman has represented Sweden internationally on a number of occasions, including 2024’s silver medal winning squad. At age 20, the 6-foot-4, 210 lb., steady left-hander might be a long-shot to make Vancouver’s opening night roster next season, but his physical attributes could make his adjustment easier than many others in the NHL.
Vancouver appears to have landed a quality penalty-killer in Bains, a highly-touted center in Räty, and a sturdy defenceman in Pettersson, all outside of the first-round of the draft. Hitting on mid-round picks, and supplementing the prospect pool with free agent acquisitions from the WHL has given the club meaningful depth options for next season. Every path to the NHL is different, but Abbotsford has become a hotspot for developing talent, no matter the background
