Abbotsford Canucks sign Matt Alfaro to a one-year AHL contract

The Abbotsford Canucks have signed forward Matt Alfaro to a one-year American Hockey League contract, the club announced Wednesday morning.

Alfaro, 25, played 13 games with the Canucks on a professional tryout agreement during the 2021–22 regular season, scoring four goals and seven points. He was held scoreless in two playoff games with the team.

The 6’2″, 200-pound centre turned professional in 2020–21 after playing three seasons at the University of Calgary. He played 81 games with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers over 2020–21 and 2021–22, scoring 20 goals and 61 points.

Alfaro split the 2021–22 season between four teams. He logged 20 games with the Nailers before signing PTOs with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Manitoba Moose, and Canucks, totalling seven goals and 12 points in 36 AHL contests.

“Although it wasn’t for very long, I had a great experience with the Canucks at the end of last season,” Alfaro said in the press release announcing his new contract. “I am excited to be returning in the fall, and to be able to have the opportunity to play a full season in front of the great hockey fans in Abbotsford.”

The Canucks finished the 2021–22 season with a 39–23–6 record, good to finish fifth in the AHL’s Pacific Division. The Bakersfield Condors swept the Canucks in the first round of the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs.