The Abbotsford Canucks have confirmed their roster moves for the 2024-25 AHL season, re-signing Cooper Walker and adding Lee Lapid and Ben Berard to one-year contracts.
Since relocating to Abbotsford in 2021, the Canucks have consistently made the playoffs but are still striving to progress beyond the first round, a goal they haven’t achieved since moving from Utica, New York.
A major offseason change for the Canucks was the hiring of Manny Malhotra as head coach, replacing Jeremy Colliton. Malhotra brings a wealth of experience with the Canucks organization, having served as both a player and coach at the NHL level.
The Canucks have been active in strengthening their roster, securing new signings like Dino Kambeitz, Layton Ahac, and Carsen Twarynski for the upcoming season. In the latest announcement, they confirmed the extension of forward Cooper Walker and the addition of Lapid and Berard, all on one-year AHL deals.
Cooper Walker Returns
Walker, who debuted in the AHL with the Canucks last season, scored one goal in 16 appearances, including three playoff games. He began the 2023-24 season with the Canucks’ ECHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings, where he recorded 13 points and 15 penalty minutes in 36 games. The undrafted 22-year-old also spent time in the OHL with the Guelph Storm, where he served as captain and amassed 101 points and 56 penalty minutes over 202 games.
New Faces
Lee Lapid, a 26-year-old forward, is set to make his AHL debut after spending most of the last two seasons with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones. During his time there, he accumulated 74 points, 40 penalty minutes, and a +48 rating in 104 games. Lapid previously played in the NCAA at Canisius College, where he totaled 61 points and 87 penalty minutes over four seasons.
Ben Berard brings some AHL experience to the team, having played 39 games with the Texas Stars, including seven playoff appearances. The 25-year-old native of Duncan, British Columbia, registered five points and eight penalty minutes in the AHL. Before turning pro, Berard played at Cornell University in the NCAA, where he posted 68 points and 18 penalty minutes in 87 games. He also captained the Powell River Kings in the BCHL during his final junior season in 2018-19.
