The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Vasily Podkolzin and defenceman Matt Irwin from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. General manager Patrik Allvin made the announcement late Saturday afternoon.

It’s big news for Podkolzin, who was sent to the AHL early out of training camp with a clear goal: to rebuild his confidence in Abbotsford through regular deployment in a league that naturally comes with much less attention on him. Podkolzin spent time in the AHL last season as well, but also spent time in the NHL. If and when Podkolzin gets into the Canucks’ lineup, it will be Podkolzin’s first NHL game since March 25th, 2023 — nearly a full calendar year.

Podkolzin has tallied 15 goals and 13 assists through 44 AHL games so far this season. Through 118 career NHL games, Podkolzin has 18 goals and 15 assists to his name. The Canucks selected Podkolzin with the 10th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Arshdeep Bains was the most recent young forward from Abbotsford to get a look at the NHL level, but the Canucks elected to send him back down after a five-game audition. The Canucks have been hurting ever since Dakota Joshua exited their lineup with an upper-body injury, and Rick Tocchet spoke earlier today about trying to get a look at some players from Abbotsford down the final stretch of the season. You can read our full Scenes from Practice by clicking here.

On the backend, the Canucks called up veteran defenceman Matt Irwin for some reinforcements with news breaking today that Tyler Myers will be out week-to-week with a lower body injury. Mark Friedman is expected to slot into the lineup tomorrow vs. Anaheim, and Carson Soucy is expected to return at some point during this upcoming three-game road trip, so it would be a surprise to see Irwin in the Canucks’ lineup.