That’s a wrap on the 2025–26 season for the Abbotsford Canucks.

If you followed along closely, it comes as no surprise that the year didn’t exactly go according to plan. But it did end on a high note.

Travelling to California for their final weekend, the Canucks picked up wins against two Pacific Division powerhouses, the Ontario and Coachella Valley, to extend their streak to a season-high four straight victories. That late push allowed Abbotsford to leapfrog the Calgary Wranglers in the Pacific Division standings, finishing ninth (of the ten) and 29th overall in the AHL with a 28-37-4-3 record.

With the season in jeopardy early on, much of the focus shifted toward personal development. And for the list of young players continuing to take their reps, it was an important season despite the results.

The weekend opened in Ontario against the Pacific Division-leading Ontario Reign.

In what turned into a low-event game, Jiri Patera delivered a perfect performance, stopping all 25 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season. It also marked back-to-back shutouts for Abbotsford as a team.

The Canucks didn’t waste time getting on the board. Ben Berard entered the zone with purpose and snapped a perfectly placed shot to the far side, continuing what has been a breakout scoring season for the forward. Berard would add another goal the following night, finishing the year with 20.

Abbotsford doubled its lead midway through the opening period, as Bennett Schimek found a loose puck in the crease and buried his fifth goal of the season. Jack Thompson, returning from injury, initiated the play with a point shot. Meanwhile, Ty Mueller, fresh off his NHL stint, provided the initial deflection.

That was all the Canucks would need.

They shut things down from there, securing a 2-0 win, their third straight victory and second consecutive shutout.

Final shots: ABB 19, ONT 25
Final score: ABB 2, ONT 0

The Canucks wrapped up their season with a quick turnaround in Coachella Valley against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Once again, Abbotsford opened the scoring. Danila Klimovich struck early, finishing a give-and-go with Kirill Kudryavtsev for his 18th goal of the season and 70th of his AHL career. That milestone goal tied Linus Karlsson for the franchise record.

Coachella Valley responded early in the second period, with Eduard Šalé evening the score. But midway through the frame, Abbotsford’s captain restored the lead with a net-front finish, setting a new career high with his 11th goal of the season.

As the period wound down, Berard added another impressive tally, wiring a perfectly placed shot short side for his second goal in as many games. After entering the season with just three career AHL goals, Berard emerged as one of Abbotsford’s most surprising offensive contributors. On an AHL contract, no less.

The final goal of the season came off the stick of Joe Arntsen, who hammered home a slap shot for his third of the year. Klimovich and Kudryavtsev each recorded their second points of the night on the play.

The Firebirds responded quickly to cut the deficit, but that was as close as they would get.

Ty Young turned aside 30 of 32 shots to earn his third consecutive win. While his overall numbers may not reflect a standout season, his strong finish provides encouraging signs moving forward.

Final shots: ABB 30, ONT 32
Final score: ABB 4, ONT 2

The season didn’t unfold the way the Canucks had hoped, but the way it ended matters.

With young players stepping into larger roles, prospects finding confidence, and the team closing on a four-game win streak, there are signs of progress beneath the surface. For a group that spent much of the year battling roster turnover and adversity, finishing with momentum offers something to build on as it heads into 2026–27.

Keep an eye out at CanucksArmy for our year-end thoughts on each player.