Hopefully, you have kept up as we navigated our way through our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings over the last 20 days.
Don’t worry, we have you covered today if you missed a few along the way. We know that 20 articles plus an Honourable Mention’s list is a lot to read, so, here’s your speed round recap. We will give a very brief overview of the prospect, with a link to get a deeper look at each.
First, let’s go over the ground rules of our rankings.
The first rule is that a prospect must be under the age of 25, which eliminates names like Akito Hirose. They must have also played fewer than 25 NHL games, which makes Vasily Podkolzin (137 games) ineligible from the list.
Aside from that, our ranking criteria are quite obvious.
The main factor to keep in mind in our CanucksArmy rankings is that upside takes precedence. Will these players realize that upside? Who knows. We understand that not every player will hit on their said upside, but in a perfect world, that’s what they could become.
The other important factor is age. You may be curious as to why we have a prospect such as Max Sasson (24) lower than Vilmer Alriksson (19), despite Sasson being on the cusp of making the NHL. That’s easy. At 19 years of age, Alriksson carries a similar ceiling, but a much longer path toward fulfilling and even furthering that upside. Thus, giving him more value as a prospect within the system.
With that, we bring you our speed recap.
Honourable Mentions
Jackson Dorrington
Team: Northeastern University | Age: 20 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Left
Jackson Dorrington is a defensive defenceman through and through. He added some offence to his game to the tune of six goals and six assists last season, but it’s still not enough to warrant a huge amount of excitement in that department.
At his best, he’s a big-bodied shutdown guy, who is strong on the penalty kill and willing to make life tough for attackers. His upcoming junior year will be a telling season for the direction in which his development is going. Who knows, perhaps he will claw his way into our top 20 and turn pro by the season’s end.
Tristen Nielsen
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 24 | Position: Left Wing/Centre | Height: 5’10″ | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Left
We love Tristen Nielsen’s game. A true bulldog on the puck with some tremendous hands to top it off. At 24, however, we’ve likely seen his cap, and that’s a serviceable AHL player who can provide some offensive substance. We could see a world where he enjoys a cup of coffee in Vancouver as a call-up option. Heck, we were even calling for it at times last year. But at the end of the day, there’s a great chance that he’s simply a depth piece and a leader down in Abby.
Lucas Forsell
Team: Färjestad BK | Age: 20 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 161 lbs | Shoots: Right
You may be shocked to see Lucas Forsell in our Honorable Mentions list. And so were we. We really love what the Swede brings to the table – speed, tenacity, and a solid shot. As a now 20-year-old seventh-round pick, the clock is ticking for him to take that next step in his career.
He averaged just 8:16 of ice time last year and continues to be stuck on a fairly high-powered Färjestad team. He also just signed a new deal which would keep him there until 2025-26 if not broken.
Given his playing style, we’re hoping for a middle-six energy player, and with no plans to cross the pond, he falls just outside of our rankings.
Daimon Gardner
Team: St. Cloud State University | Age: 20 | Position: Centre | Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 201 lbs | Shoots: Left
Daimon Gardner is sort of in the same boat as Dorrington. We like the profile but just haven’t seen enough yet to warrant enough excitement for a top-20 spot. With just one goal and six points to show for his freshman year, we never really saw what we were looking for throughout the year. He’s transferred to St. Cloud, where we hope to see more of a power game from a 6’4″, 201 lbs kid.
Parker Alcos
Team: Edmonton Oil Kings | Age: 17 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 181 lbs | Shoots: Right
Admittedly, it sort of pained us not having Parker Alcos in our top 20. The 6’3″, mobile right-shot profile is certainly worth tons of intrigue, but he’s just too raw to make it just yet. Having just recently completed his rookie season as an Edmonton Oil King, we do believe that something is there, it’s just too early to make that call. We fully anticipate him to make that jump as early as this time next year. There could be a player here.
Linus Karlsson
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 24 | Position: Right Wing/Centre | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 179 lbs | Shoots: Right
We mentioned that age plays a role in our rankings, and with Linus Karlsson’s turning 25 in November, that curve took its toll on our list. To top that off, we’ve now seen him at the NHL level and have a decent gauge of where he likely stands. We love his board work and willingness to pay the price around the net. However, the feet likely aren’t good enough to carve out anything more than a bottom-six grinder role.
With a one-year “show me” deal in hand, we’ll see if he can prove us wrong and find a permanent role in Vancouver. More likely, however, he’s a top-six AHLer with capabilities to jump up, if needed.
Top 20 Prospects
20. Nikita Tolopilo
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 24 | Position: Goaltender | Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 229 lbs | Catches: Left
Nikita Tolopilo, a Belarusian netminder, has quickly proven to be a valuable find for the Canucks. After honing his skills in Belarus and Russia, he shone in the Allsvenskan with Södertälje SK, posting a stellar .924 save percentage and 28-17-0 record during the 2022-23 season.
Transitioning to North America, Tolopilo finished the season with a 20-13-1 record, a 2.83 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. His calm and composed style was impressive, especially in high-pressure situations.
Despite being 24 and stuck behind Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs on the depth chart, Tolopilo’s performance hints at a promising future. He may not see NHL action immediately, but his development trajectory suggests he could be ready for an NHL backup job by 2025-26. With his size, calmness, and coachability, Tolopilo is a name to watch in the Canucks’ goaltending pipeline.
19. Jett Woo
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 24 | Position: Defender | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 199 lbs | Shoots: Right
Jett Woo’s journey has been anything but smooth. Drafted in the second round (37th overall) in 2018, Woo initially struggled in the AHL, managing just 13 points in his first 60 games. His early years were marked by inconsistency, a drop down the depth charts and even stints as fourth line forward.
However, Woo’s fortunes have changed. Now a viable third-pairing NHL hopeful, he received his first two NHL call-ups in the 2023-24 season. Points may not be everything for defenders, but Woo’s career year with 31 points, placing him 16th among all AHL defenders, shows nice progress
Beyond the numbers, Woo has become a reliable minute muncher, playing in all situations for Abbotsford. Injuries to Christian Wolanin and Filip Johansson midseason thrust Woo into a leading role, handling first-pair minutes and headlining both power play and penalty-killing units. His physicality and dominant presence on the ice earned him the respect of his opponents.
Although his season ended abruptly due to a leg injury, Woo’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. He was awarded another one-year deal, reflecting the organization’s belief in his potential.
18. Aku Koskenvuo
Team: Harvard University | Age: 21 | Position: Goalie | Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 190 lbs | Catches: Left
NHL goaltenders often develop slower than skaters, and Aku Koskenvuo, a 6’4″ fifth-round pick (137th overall), appears to be a good representation of that. As goalie coach Ian Clarke has mentioned, while technique can be taught quickly, Koskenvuo has abundant hard-to-teach intangibles.
After a quiet freshman year at Harvard, Koskenvuo split time in his sophomore season, posting a .910 save percentage and 2.95 GAA. Despite being peppered with heavy shot loads on most nights, he remained a top performer on his Harvard squad.
With his tandem partner Derek Mullahy transferring schools, Koskenvuo is set to be the primary starter in 2024-25.
17. Ty Mueller
Team: University of Nebraska-Omaha | Age: 21 | Position: Centre | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 201 lbs | Shoots: Left
Ty Mueller’s strong junior season with the University of Nebraska-Omaha led to his signing with the Canucks after a first-round Frozen Four exit. Mueller tallied 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 2023-24, serving as Omaha’s top-line center to draw impressive face-off numbers. He earned his first Hobey Baker nomination and officially finished his NCAA career with 64 points in 98 games.
Praised for his smart two-way play, versatility and relentless work ethic, he’ll compete for a spot on the Abbotsford roster this fall.
16. Danila Klimovich
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 22 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 205 lbs | Shoots: Right
Development isn’t always linear, and Danila Klimovich has been a prime example. The 22-year-old struggled mightily in 2023-24, managing just two goals and four points across 24 games — a stark contrast to his promising 2022-23 season with 17 goals and 29 points.
An early shoulder injury and several healthy scratches led to an obvious loss of confidence and even when he played, rarely found himself in roles where he could succeed. Head coach (former) Jeremy Colliton emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, but Klimovich’s attitude and urgency were often lacking. Now, freshly hired Manny Malhotra faces the task of reigniting Klimovich’s spark. If he can return healthy and rejuvenated, there’s hope for a bounce-back.
15. Josh Bloom
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 21 | Position: Left Wing | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 183 lbs | Shoots: Left
Josh Bloom has had a whirlwind year, playing at three levels of hockey: AHL, ECHL and finally, CHL.
The now 21-year-old began his season with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL, struggled to stand out, and was sent to the ECHL for more minutes. Eventually, he returned to the OHL, playing for the Saginaw Spirit.
There, Bloom put up 40 points in 34 games in the OHL, leading his team to a Memorial Cup victory. In fact, he scored the tournament-clinching goal with just 21.7 seconds left, securing Saginaw’s first Memorial Cup in history.
With renewed confidence and leadership, Bloom will aim to lock down a permanent spot with Abbotsford.
14. Cole McWard
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 23 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Right
Cole McWard, freshly 23, is locked in for another year with the Canucks on a one-year, two-way contract. The question is where he’ll play, as the team has several right-shot defenders of similar calibre.
Known as a puck-moving, two-way defender, McWard is reliable and effective but doesn’t put up huge offensive numbers. However, he led Abbotsford’s defensive core in 5v5 goal differential and was a key penalty killer.
13. Max Sasson
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 23 | Position: Centre | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 185 lbs | Shoots: Left
Welcome to the Max Sasson fan club. The undrafted prospect brings speed, tenacity, soft hands, and a relentless work ethic. He’s also a consistent 5v5 performer and led the team in even strength points. Finally, he finished fifth in points on the team and 10th among AHL rookies with 18 goals and 42 points.
He’ll be 24 by training camp, so his status as an older prospect hurts his spot on our rankings, but don’t be surprised to see Sasson’s name in Vancouver at some point next season.
12. Riley Patterson
Team: Barrie Colts | Age: 18 | Position: Centre/Right Wing | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 192 lbs | Shoots: Right
Riley Patterson, a recent fourth-round draft pick, shows solid potential, despite being a mid-ranged draftee. Born in Etobicoke, Ontario, he dominated the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the North York Rangers, leading to a Rookie of the Year finish with 73 points as a 16-year-old.
Transitioning to the OHL with the Barrie Colts, he faced initial challenges but found his stride midway through his draft-eligible year. He wrapped up the season with 29 goals and 62 points to lead the rookie field in goals. Patterson’s combination of size, skill, and physicality makes him an intriguing prospect with a promising future within this system.
11. Vilmer Alriksson
Team: Guelph Storm | Age: 19 | Position: Left Wing | Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 237 lbs | Shoots: Left
Vilmer Alriksson, taken in the fourth round of the 2023 entry draft, is a towering presence at 6’6″. In his first year with the Guelph Storm, he showcased some very intriguing elements while posting 33 points, split evenly between 17 goals and 16 assists.
If we’re being honest, Alriksson’s potential as a power forward isn’t fully realized and that’s an exciting reality. He needs to utilize his size more effectively and develop a tougher game, but he has exciting potential if he can put them all together. With a few Storm overagers set to graduate, he has a clear path to a more prominent role next season.
10. Anthony Romani
Team: North Bay Battalion | Age: 18 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 184 lbs | Shoots: Right
Anthony Romani, a recent sixth-round pick, optimizes the definition of “boom or bust”. Last season, he exploded with 58 goals and 111 points, en route to becoming the OHL’s leading goalscorer. His incredible year led to several accolades, including OHL’s Player of the Week (x2) and several “Coaches Poll” awards.
Romani excels as a point producer, with 168 points over 188 OHL games. Despite concerns about his skating and physicality, his combination of goal-scoring, playmaking, and hockey IQ make him a versatile and intriguing top-six prospect.
9. Melvin Fernström
Team: Örebro HK | Age: 18 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 188 lbs | Shoots: Right
Melvin Fernström, the Canucks’ first pick in the 2024 NHL Draft at 93rd overall, is a point producer in every sense. In 2022-23, he led the J18 Swedish league with 38 points and took home a Gold Medal Championship. He backed those numbers up in his draft year at the J20 Nationell, finishing as the top goalscorer with 31 tallies and 63 points. Fernström’s efforts even earned him auditions at the SHL level.
He finished the year at the U18 World Juniors, grabbing eight points and yet another Gold Medal with Team Sweden. While he needs to improve his physicality and skating, his knack for producing points and high hockey IQ allows for a strong upside.
8. Sawyer Mynio
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds | Age: 19 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 180 lbs | Shoots: Left
Drafted in the third round (89th overall), Sawyer Mynio has quickly established himself as a rising star within the Canucks’ prospect pool. Known initially as a competitive penalty-killing defender, Mynio surprised many by dominating the scoresheet in his draft-plus-one campaign to post 16 goals and 37 assists to finish fifth among WHL defenders. His smooth skating, competitive nature, and impressive shot make him a promising bottom-four defenceman.
7. Kirill Kudryavtsev
Team: Soo Greyhounds | Age: 20 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 201 lbs | Shoots: Left
Kirill Kudryavtsev has steadily increased his stock since being drafted in the seventh round (2022). After posting 50 points in his draft plus-one season, he recorded 47 points last season, focusing on refining his two-way game. Impressively, his plus/minus improved from minus-15 to plus-29.
Kudryavtsev’s toolsy approach makes him a capable player in all facets: transition, skating, and shutdown defence. At 20, he will push for an AHL spot, though a return to the Soo Greyhounds for another strong season is likely. Kudryavtsev could develop into a reliable bottom-four defenceman.
6. Arshdeep Bains
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 23 | Position: Left Wing | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 184 lbs | Shoots: Left
Arshdeep Bains had a standout 2023-24 season, achieving career-high points, an AHL All-Star appearance, and his NHL debut. After a fine rookie year, Bains burst onto the scene last year with a four-point season opener which led to 16 points in his first 10 games. He remained a consistent offensive driver for Abbotsford to end the season with 55 points in 59 games.
Despite a scoreless nine-game NHL stint, his work ethic and playmaking impressed. Bains has the skill, vision, and determination to become a valuable two-way player in the NHL. He’s poised for call-ups in 2024-25 and could secure a permanent NHL spot soon.
5. Aatu Räty
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 21 | Position: Centre/Left Wing | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 190 lbs | Shoots: Left
Aatu Räty’s first full season with Abbotsford was solid. Despite bouts of inconsistency, he had his most potent offensive production since his U16 days in Finland, including a stretch of 14 points in seven games in March.
In 72 regular season games, Räty scored 18 goals and added 52 points, tying for third-highest on the team. His numbers ranked fifth among U22 skaters in the AHL.
While his skating remains a work in progress, his versatility in playing various roles, including center, wing and both special team’s units may have enhanced his stock.
4. Elias Pettersson (D)
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 19 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 209 lbs | Shoots: Left
When the Canucks drafted another Elias Pettersson, the puns wrote themselves. But now, the 80th overall pick from 2022 is proving to be a serious prospect.
After a season with Örebro in the SHL as an 18-year-old, Pettersson took a loan to Västerås in the Allsvenskan in 2023-24, where he carved out a solid role. He showcased his physical play and defensive skills while sprinkling in a pinch of offence. He then transitioned to the Abbotsford Canucks, where his mean, rugged style transitioned rather seamlessly.
At 6’4″ and 210 lbs, Pettersson’s fluid skating and strong first pass complement his two-way game. His potential as a second-pairing defender with penalty-killing abilities is promising.
3. Artūrs Šilovs
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 22 | Position: Goalie | Height: 6’4″ | Weight: 217 lbs | Catches: Left
Arturs Šilovs put himself on the map last May after backstopping Latvia to their first medal in World Championship history, securing the country’s first Bronze Medal. Heading into the 2023-24 season, Šilovs was the undisputed starter in Abbotsford but did face competition from Nikita Tolopilo.
Despite some inconsistent play in Abbotsford, Šilovs stepped up during a crucial playoff stretch for the Vancouver Canucks, delivering an impressive performance with a 5-5-1 record. With a fresh two-year deal in hand, he officially starts his journey as Vancouver’s backup netminder. Although he still needs to improve his tracking ability and handling scrambles, the starter potential remains undeniable.
2. Tom Willander
Team: Boston University | Age: 19 | Position: Defence | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 191 lbs | Shoots: Right
Tom Willander chose a unique path for his draft-plus-one season, crossing the pond immediately to play NCAA hockey with Boston University.
Despite some expected hurdles such as adapting to the smaller ice surface and a higher level of competition, his freshman year was impressive. He posted four goals and 25 points in 38 games, finishing with a plus-28 rating.
A fluid and effective skater, he excels in closing gaps and shutting down opponents. His puck-moving ability and decision-making need improvement, but his potential as a top-four defender is clear.
1. Jonathan Lekkerimäki
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 19 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 175 lbs | Shoots: Right
Jonathan Lekkerimäki’s 2023-24 campaign was a breakout year for the ages. Healthy and performing at his best, he excelled in the SHL, AHL, and on the international stage, reestablishing himself as the Canucks’ top prospect.
Playing for Örebro, he tallied 19 goals and 31 points in 46 SHL games, leading all U23 players and earning too many accolades to count. At the World Juniors, he tied for the most goals (7) and finished third in points (10), securing a Silver Medal and the tournament MVP award.
Lekkerimäki’s potential as a top-six NHL forward is as clear as it has ever been.
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