Minor Canucks news: Hawryluk’s new deal, Virtanen rumoured to have signed in the KHL, and Podkolzin is Vancouver bound

Back with a vengeance, it’s time for another edition of the minor Canucks news items that are just insignificant enough to not warrant entire articles on their own.

Former Canucks forward Jayce Hawryluk has signed a deal with Skelleftea AIK in the SHL.

Hawryluk appeared in 30 games with the Canucks last season, tallying two goals and three assists in the process.

He was a good energy guy, but at the end of the day was a fringe NHL player.

If you read our site leading up to the draft, you likely know by now that Aku Koskenvuo was someone I was very high on and was clamouring for the Canucks to draft.

Using a fifth-round pick, they did just that, and Koskenvuo has since begun his season in the SM-Sarja U20 league in Finland.

In his first start of the season, Koskenvuo allowed five goals on 23 shots in a 10-5 win for his club.

Yesterday, in his second start of the season, Koskenvuo turned away all 20 shots he saw for his first shutout of the season.

The 6’4 netminder will be headed to Harvard University next season and will become the first Finnish player in history to play for the school.

You can read our full conversation with Canucks goaltending coach Ian Clark on why the club is so high on Aku Koskenvuo here.

According to Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali – The Team, top prospect Vasily Podkolzin is headed for Vancouver.

The main holdup in Podkolzin arriving was with work visas and the respective paperwork required, along with getting his vaccines up to date.

Additionally, 2021 draft pick Danila Klimovich is headed for Vancouver. He will come to camp and the club and his agent will decide the best place for him to spend his season once that’s finished — although Jim Benning went on the record saying it’ll “probably” be the QMJHL.

Rumours out of Russia are that former Canuck Jake Virtanen has signed a contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslav of the KHL.

Previously, SKA St. Petersburg was reportedly interested in Virtanen.

The club has not confirmed the signing as of this time.

And there you have it, folks! You’re now caught up on the latest news surrounding your Vancouver Canucks.

Enjoy it, because who knows when there’ll be more?