Former Abbotsford Canuck defenceman Christian Wolanin has officially found his next opportunity, signing a Professional Tryout Agreement with the Providence Bruins.

The 30-year-old defenceman, who won the AHL’s 2022–23 Eddie Shore Award as the league’s best defenceman, had remained unsigned since the summer. During that time, he had been involved in speculative rumours for options overseas before ultimately landing a Professional Tryout with Boston’s AHL affiliate.

Wolanin is a familiar name in Abbotsford, having spent three full seasons in the organization and leaving as one of its most productive players. Through 149 regular-season games with the Canucks, he scored 15 goals and 109 assists for 124 points, making him the franchise’s all-time leader in both assists and points by a defenceman. He added 18 points in 29 postseason appearances over the club’s playoff appearances.

He played a key role during Abbotsford’s 2024-25 Calder Cup run, contributing 10 points in 17 games, quarterbacking their top unit en route to the organization’s first Championship season.

His standout 2022–23 campaign remains his signature season. Wolanin led all AHL defencemen in assists (49) and points (55), earned First All-Star Team honours, and became the first Abbotsford player to win the league’s Defenceman of the Year award. His play drove much of Abbotsford’s transition and power play success, and he quickly became a trusted veteran presence for a young Canucks prospect group.

Originally drafted 107th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2015, Wolanin has appeared in NHL and AHL games across four organizations — Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, and Vancouver Canucks. He enters his stint with Providence with 177 points in 238 AHL games, along with 23 points in 86 NHL appearances.

Providence currently holds a 12-2-0-0 record, and the PTO gives Wolanin a chance to showcase himself in one of the league’s most competitive lineups. For Canucks fans, it marks a new chapter for a player who played a significant role in Abbotsford’s early years and remained a steadying influence on the back end.