Canucks claim defenceman Cameron Crotty off NHL waivers from Minnesota Wild

The Vancouver Canucks have claimed defenceman Cameron Crotty off waivers from the Minnesota Wild. General manager Ryan Johnson made the announcement at noon Pacific (the new daily waivers time in our time zone).

In a corresponding move, the Canucks assigned Victor Mancini to AHL Abbotsford. In addition, Johnson announced that forward Akil Thomas has been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Abbotsford. Thomas opened the training camp on IR after signing a one-year two-way contract with the Canucks this past offseason.

Heading to Vancouver is 27-year-old right-shot defenceman Cameron Crotty. A native of Ottawa, Ontario, the 6’3, 212-pound Crotty was a third-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2017 and has appeared in 11 career NHL games, with stops in Minnesota, Ottawa, and, of course, Arizona.

Crotty signed a one-year contract with the Wild in 2024, but appeared in just 1 NHL game with Minnesota that season, instead playing most of his games with AHL Iowa. Crotty then signed a two-year two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators ahead of the 2025-26 season, and was claimed off waivers by the Wild on October 29th (yes, less than a month ago). The Wild put him back on waivers yesterday, and now, he’s a Canuck.

Expect Crotty to split time as the Canucks’ 6th defenceman with Luke Schenn and Guillaume Brisebois, who have both spent time playing the right side this season.

As for Mancini, he heads to the AHL after appearing in eight of Vancouver’s 20 games this season. Mancini played the majority of his games last season with Abbotsford, and now heads down to play a key role with the farm team rather than rotating from the press box and the Canucks’ third defence pairing.

Mancini, 24, was acquired from the New York Rangers in the JT Miller trade and has struggled to find his footing at the NHL level since. Abbotsford is in action on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week as they host the Colorado Eagles at Rogers Forum.