Injury Sidelines Cole McWard from Young Stars Tournament…
Cole McWard and Jett Woo won’t be part of the Vancouver Canucks’ lineup for the Young Stars tournament starting Friday in Penticton. McWard is sidelined by a minor injury, while Woo has secured a spot in the main camp.
The Canucks’ 25-player roster for the annual tournament does not feature the two defensemen, each absent for different reasons. Abbotsford Canucks GM Ryan Johnson confirmed McWard’s injury isn’t serious.
“He’s dealing with a minor issue, and we didn’t want to risk aggravating it,” Johnson told Postmedia. “He was supposed to attend, but it wasn’t worth pushing him since it’s been lingering. He logged a lot of ice time for us last season.”
McWard, 23, played five NHL games at the end of the 2022-23 season and added one more last season. His 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games with Abbotsford were a strong foundation for growth.
“He’s made great progress,” Johnson said. “He’s still developing his identity as a player, but he’s dedicated to improving his game. We like to call the AHL ‘The Christmas League’ because that’s when everything seems to come together.”
Johnson also praised McWard’s smart play, noting his disciplined approach and solid skating, making him a valuable asset to the team. Last year, McWard impressed at Canucks training camp, even getting a chance to play alongside Quinn Hughes, though he was eventually sent to Abbotsford to further develop.
Meanwhile, Jett Woo, 24, is eager to prove his value to the organization after signing a one-year, two-way deal in June. Woo’s contract pays him $775,000 in the NHL and $150,000 in the AHL. Woo led Abbotsford defensemen in goals (7) and points (31) last season.
“He’s put in his time at this tournament, and we’re looking forward to seeing him in the main camp after the strides he made last year,” Johnson said, calling Woo “probably our best defenseman.” Johnson likened Woo’s development to that of Guillaume Brisebois, noting Woo’s ability to adapt to coaching and become a reliable physical, puck-moving defenseman.
Canucks and Oilers Prospects Battle in Penticton
In the Young Stars Classic, the Canucks’ first-round pick Jonathan Lekkerimäki headlined a match between Vancouver and Edmonton’s top prospects. Undrafted goalie Nikita Tolopilo, fresh off a strong season in Abbotsford, led the Canucks to a 2-0 victory over the Oilers on Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The 24-year-old from Minsk made 21 saves, adding to his 2023-2024 AHL campaign, where he played 35 games.
Vancouver’s goals came from Max Sasson, 24, and NCAA signee Christian Felton. The Canucks’ next game is against Winnipeg’s top prospect Brad Lambert on Sunday.
Vancouver’s bench is now led by Manny Malhotra, a former NHL forward hired in May to coach the Abbotsford Canucks. Malhotra, 44, brings 16 years of NHL experience and spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Other notable Canucks players include Arshdeep Bains and Aätu Räty, two of Abbotsford’s top scorers last season, who teamed up with Lekkerimäki on Friday’s top line.
For the Oilers, Nathan Day, a 2023 sixth-round pick, made 28 saves. Their roster includes top prospects like Matt Savoie and Sam O’Reilly. The Oilers return to action Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.
The Winnipeg Jets kicked off the tournament with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Calgary. The Young Stars Classic has been held in Penticton since 2010 and concludes on Monday, Sept. 16.
