A change in who will be representing the blue and green at one of minor-league hockey’s premier events.

On Thursday, it was announced that Abbotsford Canucks forward Ben Berard has been named to the Pacific Division roster for the 2026 American Hockey League All-Star Classic.

Vancouver assistant general manager Ryan Johnson noted that Berard’s work ethic has earned him the honour.

“Ben took advantage of a great opportunity coming into this season and earned everything he’s gotten,” Johnson said. “This is a terrific acknowledgement for Ben, and we are proud to have him be our representative at the All-Star Classic.”

The decision comes after the team’s original representative, defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev, has been ruled out of the event due to injury.

Berard has been a member of the Vancouver Canucks‘ organization since the 2024-25 season after two years with the Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars’ top farm team.

The Cornell product played just four games with Abbotsford that season, instead spending the majority of the year with the Canucks’ ECHL farm team, the Kalamazoo Wings. After an exceptional 40-point performance, Berard has earned a full-time spot with Abbotsford this season.

In 43 games thus far, the 26-year-old has scored nine goals and 14 assists, leading the Canucks with 23 points.

Berard becomes the fifth player from the Abby Canucks to play in the All-Star Classic, and the second from British Columbia. Last season, defenceman Elias Pettersson was named an All-Star, but did not attend as he was in Vancouver. Ty Mueller stepped into his spot. Forward Arshdeep Bains represented Abbotsford in 2024, while Christian Wolanin was the franchise’s first representative in the 2023 event.

The All-Star Classic is set to take place at the BMO Harris Bank Center, home of the Rockford Ice Hogs. The festivities begin on Feb. 10 with the skills competition. The four divisions competing in the All-Star Challenge on Feb. 11 feature eight-minute 3-on-3 games, with the two best teams from the round-robin facing off in the championship game.