10 Canucks Prospects To Watch At The 2024 Younger Stars Basic

The Vancouver Canucks have launched their 25-man roster for the 2024 Younger Stars Basic, a contest that pits one of the best prospects from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets in opposition to these from Vancouver. Going down in Penticton from September thirteenth to sixteenth, the match will characteristic six video games, three of which the Canucks prospects shall be taking part in in. With a prospect pool full of gamers aiming to show one thing, in addition to those that might impress early on, listed here are 10 Canucks Younger Stars to look out for this yr.

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Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

Undrafted

Bains put up 16 targets and 39 assists in 59 video games throughout the 2023-2024 AHL common season. These efforts introduced him to the 2024 AHL All-Star Sport, the place he was named MVP. He earned himself an eight-game stint with the large Canucks, wherein he debuted on a line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. Within the Calder Cup Playoffs, he scored two targets and two assists in six video games.

Whereas he’s one of many older prospects participating within the 2024 Younger Stars Event, Bains can nonetheless present this group of prospects with NHL-level expertise. He’s one in all two gamers on this checklist with expertise taking part in within the NHL, the opposite being Aatu Räty, who performed three video games again in early 2023. Count on him to convey this information to Penticton and put up a efficiency that can have the Canucks group making robust selections throughout coaching camp.

Josh Bloom (F)

Saginaw Spirit, OHL

2021 Spherical 3, ninety fifth OVR — Buffalo Sabres

The 2023-2024 season was made up of motion for Josh Bloom. Initially, the 21-year-old ahead began his season with the Abbotsford Canucks, placing up one help in 14 video games earlier than heading to the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL for eight video games. He later determined to return to his OHL group, the Saginaw Spirit, the place issues made a drastic flip for the higher. He scored 17 targets and 23 assists in 34 common season video games and adopted this up with 11 factors in 17 playoff video games. His Memorial Cup-winning aim got here with 21.7 seconds left in Saginaw’s sport in opposition to the London Knights.

With a season full of a lot motion and pleasure, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see what Bloom will comply with it up with. He’ll be returning to Abbotsford, this time with championship expertise and a greater thought of what play is like within the AHL. Bloom has one thing to show, and what higher stage to try this on than the 2024 Younger Stars Event?

Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

2021 Spherical 2, forty first OVR — Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver’s first choose within the 2021 NHL Draft (since they didn’t have a first-round choose), Danila Klimovich, has had curious eyes on him since he was chosen by the Canucks. The ahead impressed with 28 targets and 24 assists in 37 video games with Minskie Zubry of Belarus Vysshaya, totals that he put up throughout his draft yr, however has performed with the Abbotsford Canucks since then.

Related: The 2024-25 Season Could Be A Make Or Break Year For Canucks Prospect Danila Klimovich

Klimovich’s AHL profession hit a little bit of a rocky patch within the 2023-2024 season, as accidents and inconsistent play stored him out of the lineup. He ended up notching two targets and two assists in 24 video games — one thing that has followers questioning his abilities. This yr’s Younger Stars Event, in addition to the common season, shall be huge for the 21-year-old ahead. As forwards corresponding to Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Arshdeep Bains transfer up each Canucks golf equipment’ depth charts, Klimovich must put up a battle to verify he doesn’t lose his spot.

Kirill Kudryavstev (D)

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL

2022 Spherical 7, 208th OVR — Vancouver Canucks

A seventh-round gem from the 2022 NHL Draft, Kudryavstev has impressed in his time with the Soo Greyhounds. He notched 5 targets and 42 assists in 67 video games this previous season, following this up with one aim and eight assists in 11 playoff video games. These totals put him fourth in complete scoring on the Greyhounds and second on the group in assists.

Whereas Kudryavstev might not make an look on the large Canucks’ roster this season, he’s nonetheless obtained loads of room to develop and problem for a spot. At 20 years previous, he’s prone to try to compete for a job in Abbotsford however shall be contending with the likes of Akito Hirose, Elias Pettersson (the defenceman), and Jett Woo (noticeably off this yr’s Younger Stars roster) so as to take action.

Jonathan Lekkerimäki (F)

Örebro HK, SHL

2022 Spherical 1, fifteenth OVR — Vancouver Canucks

Lekkerimäki made his long-awaited North-American debut for the Canucks again in March, wherein he scored a aim and an help in six video games. Since being drafted fifteenth total in 2022, Lekkerimäki has headlined the Canucks’ prospect pool. His efficiency within the 2024 World Junior Championships obtained followers pumped to see his goal-scoring abilities on NHL ice. With an MVP title from the World Juniors, in addition to a seven-goal, three-assist efficiency in seven video games, followers of all NHL groups have been ready to absorb Lekkerimäki’s goal-scoring capacity.

Within the 2024-2025 common season, the 20-year-old ahead is anticipated to play with the Abbotsford Canucks, with hope that he might see a sport or two of time with Vancouver. Whereas it’s anticipated that he’ll be taking the time to bloom below Abbotsford’s new head coach, Manny Malhotra, the Younger Stars Event shall be a terrific place for the group to get one other have a look at how his play has developed.

Sawyer Mynio (D)

Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL

2023 Spherical 3, 89th OVR — Vancouver Canucks

The youngest prospect on this checklist at 19 years previous, Mynio stood out final season with a 16-goal, 37-assist efficiency in 63 video games. This was performed as a member of the Seattle Thunderbirds, the place he’ll seemingly be taking part in once more this upcoming season. Initially from Kamloops, Mynio was picked within the third spherical by Vancouver and shall be partaking in his second Younger Stars Event.

Mynio can view this yr’s Younger Stars Event as a spot for him to proceed proving himself to the Canucks group, as he nonetheless has loads of time to develop within the WHL. Followers will wish to proceed monitoring his profession, regardless of not fairly hitting Abbotsford’s roster but, as he might make a strong push for a spot with the infant Canucks at subsequent season’s match.

Elias Pettersson (D)

Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

2022 Spherical 3, eightieth OVR — Vancouver Canucks

Canucks defenceman Elias Pettersson (emphasis on defenceman, as at all times) is coming into what could also be his first full season within the AHL. He spent the 2023-2024 common season considerably far and wide, competing for Örebro HK, Västerås IK, Abbotsford, and Sweden’s World Juniors group inside that span. His 34 video games with Västerås resulted in three targets and 11 assists, whereas his eight video games with Abbotsford produced two assists.

Pettersson can anticipate extra stability this season as he competes for a place with the Abbotsford Canucks. Nevertheless, a bonus he might have is having an excellent Younger Stars Event and good coaching camp, which might give Canucks administration extra of a case to play him over defencemen like Christian Wolanin and Jett Woo, who received’t get to partake within the prospect match.

Aatu Räty (F)

Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

2021 Spherical 2, 52nd OVR — New York Islanders

The final remaining piece of the Bo Horvat commerce inside the Canucks group, Aatu Räty performed three video games with the Vancouver Canucks earlier than being despatched right down to Abbotsford. At 21 years previous, he nonetheless has some room to develop, however he put up a good 18 targets and 34 assists in 72 video games with the infant Canucks. He registered 4 factors of their six-game playoff run, two of which have been targets.

Related: Why Canucks Prospect Aatu Räty Playing Another Year In The AHL Is Not A Bad Thing

It’s anticipated that Räty will begin the season with Abbotsford, however he’s positively a candidate to maneuver up if some gamers find yourself being despatched down. Having stated that, with a full season of expertise within the AHL, he’s an excellent candidate to offer a fair mixture of youth and expertise in a match filled with prospects. One other season of AHL play will assist refine his sport, and an excellent displaying within the Younger Stars Event will remind everybody of excellent issues to come back.

Max Sasson (F)

Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

Undrafted

An undrafted ahead and the oldest prospect on this checklist, Max Sasson has offered constant manufacturing with just about each group he’s been on. His first season within the AHL went easily, as he scored 18 targets and 24 assists in 56 video games. Within the Calder Cup Playoffs, he tallied one aim and two assists in six video games. Having beforehand hung out within the NCAA and USHL, Sasson brings expertise from a number of leagues.

Like Bains and Raty, Sasson is among the probably candidates to be referred to as up within the occasion that Vancouver suffers accidents to their ahead core. He’s a gradual level producer that may present ample offence for Abbotsford whereas supplying depth for Vancouver. Despite the fact that he hasn’t made his Vancouver Canucks debut fairly but, don’t be shocked if he makes steps with the large membership this upcoming season.

Nikita Tolopilo (G)

Abbotsford Canucks, AHL

Undrafted

Having break up begins with presumed Vancouver backup Artūrs Šilovs final season, Tolopilo performed in 35 video games for the Abbotsford Canucks. He received 20 video games and registered a .908 SV% whereas notching a 2.83 GAA. It’s anticipated that, if issues go as hoped, he’ll proceed to work on his play with Abbotsford all through the 2024-2025 season.

Tolopilo, in addition to the remainder of the Canucks’ goalie prospects, shall be essential to keep watch over all through the Younger Stars Event. With information breaking that Thatcher Demko and Artūrs Šilovs will not be 100% wholesome going into the season, it’s affordable for Canucks nation to be antsy in regards to the goalie scenario. Within the occasion that neither goalie is ready to play, the Canucks’ web shall be guarded by Jiří Patera, with Tolopilo prone to be his backup.

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