The Abbotsford Canucks have officially reassigned 20-year-old goaltender Ty Young to their ECHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings.

With Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera set to handle the net in Abbotsford, this move allows Young to see valuable game experience as he continues adjusting to the professional ranks as a rookie netminder.

Young, a Coaldale, Alberta native, has spent the last four years with the Prince George Cougars in the WHL, where he’s posted a 45-35-8 record with a 3.36 goals-against average, .896 save percentage and two shutouts. Despite a career year in 2023-24, posting a 23-11-0 record with a 2.79 goals against and a .903 save percentage, Young lost the starting job to 2025 first-round eligible Joshua Revensbergen. Heading into this year, it was expected that Young would provide backup duties as a veteran junior goaltender, barring a trade.

Though he could have returned to the WHL as an overage player, Young opted for the pro level after a productive summer training in Kelowna alongside established professional players.

Newly appointed Canucks goaltending coach Marco Torenius has been a strong advocate for Young’s development. Rick Tocchet mentioned during training camp, “Marco [Torenius] actually really likes Ty Young.” Torenius, who checked in on Young throughout the past season, has committed to working closely with him. “I worked with him last year [at training camp],” Young shared with CanucksArmy. “He also came up to Prince George a couple of times, too. He always sends me clips and stuff, so I worked with him quite a bit.”

Young will now share crease duties in Kalamazoo with Jonathan Lemieux, currently on an AHL deal. The Kalamazoo Wings will kick off their season on Saturday in Cincinnati, taking on the Cyclones.

Young was drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) in the 2022 entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks.