Wake up, the Abbotsford Canucks are back in action tonight.

After bowing out in the first round of last year’s playoffs against the Ontario Reign, the Abbotsford Canucks return to the ice this evening for their 2024-25 season opener.

Much like last year, the Canucks will begin their campaign on the road, starting with a back-to-back against the Calgary Wranglers. Tonight’s game is the first 12-game season series between these Pacific Division rivals. Last year, Abbotsford edged Calgary with a 7-4-1-0 record, including four straight wins to close out the regular season.

Overall, the Wranglers hold a slight edge in the all-time series, boasting a 13-8-3-0 record compared to the Canucks’ 11-9-3-1 slate.

All AHL teams submitted their official rosters by 2:00 pm Pacific Time on Thursday, ahead of Friday’s opening night slate. Earlier today, the Abbotsford Canucks confirmed their roster for the start of the season.

The Canucks will begin the year with 15 forwards, 11 defencemen, and three goaltenders.

Rookie sensation Jonathan Lekkerimäki leads the forward group and will be counted on to provide this team with a heavy-set offensive pedigree. With Arshdeep Bains and Aatu Räty currently up in Vancouver, the top line will likely feature veteran Phillip Di Giuseppe, centreman Max Sasson, and Lekkerimäki. Further down the list will also include promising youngsters like Ty Mueller alongside former NHLers Sammy Blais, Nate Smith, and Carsen Twarynski.

It’s a crowded situation on the back end, with 11 defencemen, including seven left-handers. Erik Brännström, recently acquired from Colorado, is expected to make his Abbotsford debut, while Kirill Kudryavtsev will also have an opportunity to (potentially) see his first professional action. Elias Pettersson will make his official debut as a full-time player in North America, now wearing jersey number 25 after giving number 26 to newcomer Brännström. Mark Friedman has cleared waivers on the right side and will likely skate alongside Jett Woo and Cole McWard.

Between the pipes, Nikita Tolopilo and the recently re-acquired Jiri Patera are expected to share duties with Ty Young, who is just 20 years old and fighting to stick in the AHL.

As for the Wranglers, this game will mark the official AHL debut for former Canuck draftee Hunter Brzustewicz. The 20-year-old turned heads in Calgary this September and is expected to play a large role on the team’s right side. Joni Jurmo, another former Canucks’ draft pick, will have an opportunity to make his AHL debut.

The Abbotsford Canucks start their 2024-25 season with a four-game road trip before returning home for their home opener on Friday, October 25th, where they will face the San Diego Gulls in a back-to-back.

The puck drops tonight at 6:00 pm Pacific Time at the Scotiabank Saddledome.