After winning their first two games of the preseason, the Vancouver Canucks drop their next two games against the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. With a home and home against the Edmonton Oilers remaining on the preseason schedule for the Canucks, the club made their second wave of roster cuts.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced they assigned Danila Klimovich, Tristen Neilsen and Ty Young to their American Hockey League affiliate Abbotsford Canucks, released Chase Wouters from his professional tryout contract (PTO) and will report to Abbotsford, and freshly signed Vilmer Alriksson to his junior club the Guelph Storm.
General Manager Patrik Allvin has announced that the #Canucks have made the following roster updates: pic.twitter.com/1ny3mpGG6l
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 29, 2024
Klimovich, 21, only appeared in one game this preseason, on Friday night against the Kraken. The Belarus forward slotted on the fourth line alongside Sammy Blais and Nate Smith, logging 9:02 of ice time. He failed to register a shot on goal in the game. Klimovich will join the Abbotsford Canucks in hopes of a redemption season after scoring just two goals and two assists in 24 games last season.
Nielsen, 24, suited up in Saturday night’s game against the Flames. He played just 5:55 minutes but finished with a minus-three rating. The BC native played on the fourth line with Sammy Blais and Ty Mueller. Nielsen will rejoin the Abbotsford Canucks, where he had 16 goals and 34 points in 59 games last season.
Young, 20, served as the backup in the Canucks’ preseason opener against the Kraken. The Alberta native recorded a 23-11-2 record, boasting a 2.79 goals against average (GAA) and a .903 save percentage (S%). He will head to Abbotsford and battle Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo for a role in the crease.
Wouters, 24, did not make it into a preseason match this year. The Saskatchewan will resume his role as Abbotsford’s captain and look to improve on his nine-goal, 23-point season last year.
Alriksson, 19, impressed during training camp and carried that over into the preseason, so much so that he earned himself a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks on Sunday morning. The 6’6″ forward played in two games this preseason, registering one shot on goal, six hits and five penalty minutes while averaging 9:22 of ice time. Alriksson will head to Guelph, looking to top his 17-goal, 33-point season he posted last year.
The Canucks will have a shorter lineup for their next game on September 30th when they take on the Edmonton Oilers.
