Canucks’ Christian Wolanin wins AHL’s top defenceman award

Abbotsford Canucks defenceman Christian Wolanin has won the Eddie Shore Award, the American Hockey League’s “outstanding defenceman” award. The award was voted on by coaches, players and members of the media in each of the league’s 32 cities.

After signing with the Canucks this past offseason following some frustrating seasons on taxi squads and without a real place to play, Wolanin enjoyed a career year with Abbotsford and appeared in 16 games with the Vancouver Canucks as well.

Through 49 games with Abbotsford, the 28-year-old Wolanin tallied six goals and 49 assists through 49 games, with a plus-minus rating of 12. He was without question Abbotsford’s best defenceman, and now he’s being honoured as the entire AHL’s top rearguard.

Wolanin led all AHL defencemen in points (55) and assists (49) despite having not played for Abbotsford since being recalled to Vancouver on February 18th. His 49 assists over 49 games played this season stand as both the single-season and all-time record in assists for Abbotsford; as does his 13-game point streak between Nov. 10 to Dec. 9 in which he recorded 22 points with three goals and 19 assists.

Originally signed to a one-year deal, Wolanin earned his way to a two-year contract extension with the Canucks thanks to his strong play all season long.

After finishing the year at the NHL level, Wolanin was returned on loan to Abbotsford from Vancouver on April 15 and is now eligible to compete in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Abbotsford is set to host the entirety of the First Round against the Bakersfield Condors, starting with Game 1 on Wednesday night at the Abbotsford Centre.

Originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators at 107th overall in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Wolanin has appeared in 86 NHL games across stints with the Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, and the Canucks.

Watch out interview with Christian Wolanin from earlier this season in the video below!