Vancouver Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson has now made his third signing in the last five days. First, Jack Thompson, then Cole Clayton, and now the Abbotsford Canucks captain, Chase Wouters, to a one-year, two-way contract.

Wouters was signed by Johnson as an undrafted free agent in 2021, coming off a five-year stint with the Saskatoon Blades. Throughout his five seasons in Saskatoon, Wouters scored 75 goals and 106 assists for 181 points in 280 games, captaining the team for the last three seasons. His 280 games in a Blades uniform have him 15th in franchise history for most games played.

The North Battleford, Saskatoon native made an immediate impression in Abbotsford for his leadership qualities. After just his first season with the Canucks, the ‘C’ was slapped on his sweater, and he has served as team captain for the past four seasons. Over the five years since he turned pro, Wouters has scored 43 goals and 77 assists for 120 points in 338 American League games.

In 2024-25, Wouters captained the Abbotsford Canucks to their first Calder Cup Championship. Throughout the playoff run, Wouters appeared in all 24 games, played a pivotal defensive bottom-six role, and added two goals and three assists for five points en route to lifting the trophy.

“Chase has worked extremely hard to earn this contract,” said Johnson. “He is a heart and soul type player, someone who doesn’t cheat the game and always goes the extra mile to work on his craft. Detail oriented and coachable, Chase is a very good hockey player who leads by example. I am impressed with his development and proud of the progress he has made since turning pro. Besides all his work on the ice, he is the first to raise his hand to help others and go above and beyond in the community. His leadership qualities, skill set, and hockey IQ have helped him take another step forward in his hockey journey.”

Previously under an AHL contract for his five years in the Canucks organization, Wouters now earns a two-way NHL contract, with an $850,000 salary in the NHL and $425,000 in the AHL, per PuckPedia.