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Intriguing Safonov appears in Canucks colours for first time Saturday after six seasons in KHL

Photo credit: © Tav Morisson-CanucksArmy

By Jeff Paterson

Sep 13, 2026, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 13, 2026, 13:01 EDT

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Much like Austin Powers of movie fame, Ilya Safonov is an international man of mystery. Beyond his statistical profile from the Kontinental Hockey League, very little is known about the big Russian centre who will be vying for a spot on the Vancouver Canucks’ roster.

However, before the veteran of six KHL seasons – including a 16-goal and 33-point campaign for Kazan Ak-Bars last year — attends his first NHL training camp next week in Penticton, the 25-year-old was among the oldest players taking part in this weekend’s prospects showcase in Abbotsford.

Safonov started Saturday’s game on left wing on a line with 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes and Bennett Schimek.

Following the contest, with the help of defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev serving as his translator, Safonov spoke to a small group of media covering the game at Rogers Forum. (The conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.)

Media: How did it feel to get into the first game of the new season?

Safonov: “Obviously, it was the first game after a long summer, not everybody knows what the system is. Lots of things not going our way. We’ll watch the film and won’t make the same mistakes we did today.”

Media: How excited are you to be here and to try to make an NHL roster?

Safonov: “My agent asked me if I wanted to play in the rookie tournament and I said, yes, of course. It’s way better to get into the season and the main camp. I’m embracing the opportunity and trying to show our management what I’m capable of. Practices matter, but you look at how players play in the games. So these games will allow me to show what kind of player I am.”

Media: You’ve been a professional for a while, is preparing for an NHL camp different than what he’s done in the past?

Safonov: “It’s a little bit different because in Russia we practice with the team since late July and it’s like a camp for a month. Here you practice on your own, you prepare on your own and have to figure it out. I had a little bit of an injury after the KHL Final so it was a little bit of a shorter summer. I did some rehab. It was a tough summer to go through to prepare for a first NHL season, but I’m very excited.”

Media: When did you arrive in Vancouver and what are your first impressions?

Safonov: “I got here about a month ago, around August 15th. It’s a beautiful city with the oceans, the mountains and the nature all around. I love fishing, but I haven’t found the time yet. But maybe on a day off.”

Media: How are you finding the language barrier?

Safonov: “Obviously, it’s tough. It’s my first time in Canada. It’s a new world here. It’s very tough, but I have tutor lessons a couple of times a week. I’m starting to understand the simple language stuff just to go out to ask for food or how to talk to my teammates on the ice. I’m trying to talk to some guys in the locker room. It’s going to need some time, but I’m working on it as hard as I can.”

While the hockey side of the adjustment will likely come quickly for Safonov, the toughest part of being so far from home is that his wife and four-year-old son remain in Moscow for the time being. The hope is that the family will join him here once he is settled in and the season starts.

On Saturday, Safonov didn’t figure in any of the Canucks three goals. He did see some time on the power play. But overall, he wasn’t able to make the impact that he surely had hoped he would. Again, it was a sloppy contest with just one practice to prepare. So the hope has to be that Safonov will feel a little more comfortable in his new surroundings when the two teams meet again on Sunday afternoon.

Abbotsford head coach Ryan Papaiounnou name-checked Safonov as one of the bright spots in the season-opening setback.

“I think the guys on the top group there – Cootes and Safonov – had a nice effort. They were able to make some plays and get on the inside a bit,” he said. “I really enjoy the kid. Happy go lucky. A little bit of a language barrier, but he’s fun to chat with. I thought he was strong on pucks today. Obviously, he’s a big guy, played hard, I thought he made a few good hits and I’m excited to see him a little bit more.”

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