The Abbotsford Canucks have signed 24-year-old forward Braden Birnie to a professional tryout agreement (PTO).

Birnie, a Weyburn, Saskatchewan native, recently signed his first professional contract and made his debut with the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush, where he recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in nine games. The Rush will retain his rights should he return to the ECHL.

The 6-foot-3, 192-pound forward is coming off his fourth and final season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks. There, he posted a career-high 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 33 games, along with 33 penalty minutes. He closes out his collegiate career with 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) and 74 penalty minutes across 114 games. Birnie also provided leadership during his time in Alaska, serving as team captain for the 2024–25 season and wearing an “A” as an alternate captain for his senior year.

The highlight of his collegiate career came in his final game, when he scored the game-tying goal with just one second remaining in regulation before assisting on the championship-winning goal to help the Nanooks capture the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup — a tournament featuring top independent NCAA Division I programs.

The tying goal came off a late net-front scramble, with multiple sticks battling for position. Birnie closed in and poked the puck past the goaltender to send the game to a do-or-die overtime.

On the winner, Birnie initially lost possession off the rush but stuck with the play, intercepting a breakout pass before setting up the decisive tally.

Birnie could make his AHL debut as early as Friday, April 3, at 7:00 PM (PT) when the Abbotsford Canucks host the Coachella Valley Firebirds as part of their final home stand of the 2025–26 season, as part of the club’s “Fan Appreciation Weekend”. The Canucks currently sit tied for 31st in the AHL with six games remaining on their schedule and will close out the season in Coachella Valley on Sunday, April 19.