Latest news with #CalderCupFinal
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: Big AHL performances from Bains and Karlsson may carry into NHL success
There is little doubt that this spring's epic run by the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Final bodes well for the future of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization. Winning, after all, brings good vibes, and good vibes bring you goodwill. And winning at the AHL level usually means some good things for your NHL team a couple seasons down the line. The Vancouver Canucks are hopeful that this spring's solid run will yield positive things for the NHL club as soon as next season. Yes, we're talking about you, Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The two wingers were massive performers Tuesday, helping the Canucks take a 2-1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers. Bains' all-around good game sense has been on display ever since he made the jump to pro hockey in 2022. But his emergence as a big-game player is notable. He was one of Abbotsford's best performers all season long. In the playoffs, it took him a while to score an actual goal — he only has five — but those five have all come in crunch time. The first three were in the final two games of the Western Conference final against Texas, and the latest two came on Tuesday, along with two assists, leading the way in a 6-1 romp over Charlotte. Karlsson, meanwhile, has 11 goals and 11 assists in this playoff run, including goals in both games two and three of this series against Charlotte. He hs been a player on a mission all season. After a rather underwhelming NHL callup last fall, he clearly put the bit between his teeth, and doubled down on what he needs to be, because when he came back to the NHL later in the season, he was a solid, hard-working presence. He is not the fleetest of foot, but he's strong and has hockey smarts that have carried him this far. Both players aren't going to be stars in the NHL, but they have guts and brains and dedication to the craft, exactly what you want in homegrown depth wingers. And both would help the NHL team if they can turn themselves into such players. pjohnston@
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Canucks: Big AHL performances from Bains and Karlsson may carry into NHL success
Article content There is little doubt that this spring's epic run by the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Final bodes well for the future of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization. Winning, after all, brings good vibes, and good vibes bring you goodwill. Article content And winning at the AHL level usually means some good things for your NHL team a couple seasons down the line. The Vancouver Canucks are hopeful that this spring's solid run will yield positive things for the NHL club as soon as next season. Article content Yes, we're talking about you, Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson. The two wingers were massive performers Tuesday, helping the Canucks take a 2-1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers. Bains' all-around good game sense has been on display ever since he made the jump to pro hockey in 2022. But his emergence as a big-game player is notable. He was one of Abbotsford's best performers all season long. In the playoffs, it took him a while to score an actual goal — he only has five — but those five have all come in crunch time. The first three were in the final two games of the Western Conference final against Texas, and the latest two came on Tuesday, along with two assists, leading the way in a 6-1 romp over Charlotte. Karlsson, meanwhile, has 11 goals and 11 assists in this playoff run, including goals in both games two and three of this series against Charlotte. Article content Latest National Stories
The Province
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
Canucks: Big AHL performances from Bains and Karlsson may carry into NHL success
The Abbotsford Canucks got important games from their best wingers Tuesday. What does that mean for the NHL Canucks in the long run? Get the latest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox Abbotsford Canucks (Arshdeep Bains) vs Texas Stars round 4 on June 8, 2025. Abbotsford Centre. Darren Francis Photography There is little doubt that this spring's epic run by the Abbotsford Canucks to the Calder Cup Final bodes well for the future of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Winning, after all, brings good vibes, and good vibes bring you goodwill. And winning at the AHL level usually means some good things for your NHL team a couple seasons down the line. The Vancouver Canucks are hopeful that this spring's solid run will yield positive things for the NHL club as soon as next season. Yes, we're talking about you, Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson. The two wingers were massive performers Tuesday, helping the Canucks take a 2-1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers. Bains' all-around good game sense has been on display ever since he made the jump to pro hockey in 2022. But his emergence as a big-game player is notable. He was one of Abbotsford's best performers all season long. In the playoffs, it took him a while to score an actual goal — he only has five — but those five have all come in crunch time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first three were in the final two games of the Western Conference final against Texas, and the latest two came on Tuesday, along with two assists, leading the way in a 6-1 romp over Charlotte. Karlsson, meanwhile, has 11 goals and 11 assists in this playoff run, including goals in both games two and three of this series against Charlotte. He hs been a player on a mission all season. After a rather underwhelming NHL callup last fall, he clearly put the bit between his teeth, and doubled down on what he needs to be, because when he came back to the NHL later in the season, he was a solid, hard-working presence. He is not the fleetest of foot, but he's strong and has hockey smarts that have carried him this far. Both players aren't going to be stars in the NHL, but they have guts and brains and dedication to the craft, exactly what you want in homegrown depth wingers. And both would help the NHL team if they can turn themselves into such players. pjohnston@ Abbotsford Canucks forward Linus Karlsson skates against the Charlotte Checkers during Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals at the Abbotsford Centre on Tuesday. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News News
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How former players Ryan Johnson and Manny Malhotra are shaping Vancouver Canucks' next generation in Abbotsford
Over a dozen years since starring in key roles for the Vancouver Canucks' Stanley Cup-challenging days, Ryan Johnson and Manny Malhotra are back in charge together—this time from behind the bench and in the front office—and driving the Abbotsford Canucks to their inaugural Calder Cup Final. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What started as a shared vision for how to best develop players has become one of the most prosperous seasons in Vancouver's AHL affiliate's history. From NHL veterans to AHL architects: Ryan Johnson and Manny Malhotra revive Vancouver Canucks culture in Abbotsford When the Vancouver Canucks replaced veteran checking center Ryan Johnson with younger Manny Malhotra in 2010, it was a humble roster upgrade. But the move spoke more about the organization's trust in both players' professionalism, intelligence, and leadership than it did their fourth-line numbers. Flash forward 15 years, and both Johnson and Malhotra have leveraged their on-ice experience into high-level hockey operations jobs. Johnson, now 48, is the Canucks' assistant GM and manages Abbotsford's AHL team, while Malhotra, 45, is in his inaugural year as Abbotsford's head coach—and already exerting a huge impact. Should Manny Malhotra coach the Canucks? 'Well, playing hockey in June, it means something special is happening,' Johnson said to Sportsnet. 'So it's been an unbelievable run for this group." The AHL affiliate of the Canucks, which moved from Utica in 2021, has yet to claim a Calder Cup — but now they're just four victories away. The roster combines up-and-coming talent such as Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Arshdeep Bains, Max Sasson, Victor Mancini, and Linus Karlsson with seasoned stability from Phil Di Giuseppe, Christian Wolanin, Guillaume Brisebois, and Stanley Cup champion Sammy Blais. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Arturs Silovs, who has just come off impressive NHL performances, has been the goaltender who has backed Abbotsford to a deep playoff run. Johnson, who brought in Malhotra during the offseason, indicated that he never had any hesitation with his first choice after Jeremy Colliton departed for an NHL job with the Devils. 'Any coach that I've hired to bring here — going back to working with Travis and Trent Cull and Jeremy Colliton — I've never brought coaches here to be in the American League for 10 years. That would be a failure on my behalf. I knew in January or February of last year that I was going to be looking for a head coach. Jim and Patrik said: 'What's your list?' There was a bunch of names on one list and then there was one name on my main list, and that was Manny. I had a ton of respect for his journey as a player, what I knew his experience was as an assistant coach in the NHL, and the quality of person that he is. I'm always intrigued by somebody that's comfortable in their role, getting uncomfortable to come back and be able to take everything that they've learned and mould it into their own. Obviously, he's done a heck of a job in his first year as a head coach at any level.' Johnson said. Although they never shared the ice together, Johnson and Malhotra toiled in tandem during the early days of Malhotra's coaching career in Vancouver. Johnson attributes Malhotra's decision to forsake a comfortable position with the Maple Leafs for his first head coaching job as an indication of genuine character. 'We have a great group. RJ has put together a great team, and then our staff, again, I've been very fortunate to work with guys that are hungry, guys that want to do the work and want to be really good coaches. That elevates me. So I think I kind of walked into a perfect (situation). The overall feeling of our group and watching them grow and evolve has been pretty cool,' Malhotra said. Malhotra gives Johnson credit for assembling a roster and staff with intention, desire, and ownership. The chemistry and synchronized objectives assisted in creating an environment in which development and winning are married. Also read: With the Calder Cup Final starting Friday night in Charlotte, Abbotsford Canucks are not merely pursuing hardware — they're upholding the Canucks organization's grander objective of long-term, homegrown development. And with Johnson and Malhotra leading the pipeline, Vancouver's future could be as bright off the ice as it is on it.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Florida Panthers set sights on Stanley Cup victory as Charlotte Checkers move toward Calder Cup Final
Florida Panthers (via Getty Images) T he Florida Panthers are pursuing their much-awaited Stanley Cup win and their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, are making history on their own in the Calder Cup Playoffs. For the first time since coming together in 2020, both teams are within reach of championship glory—an accomplishment that could replicate an unusual feat unseen in almost 30 years in professional hockey. Charlotte Checkers overwhelm Laval Rocket to sit one win shy of Calder Cup Final undefined The Florida Panthers may not be the only team in the playoffs spotlight, as the Charlotte Checkers are within a win of heading to the Calder Cup Final with a 5-1 thumping of the Laval Rocket in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. On Sunday, the team effort was visible with Riley Bezeau scoring twice, including one during a four-goal second period, as John Leonard, Will Lockwood, and Sandis Vilmanis also scored to make the game far out of reach for the AHL affiliate Laval Rocket of the Montreal Canadiens. Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was again phenomenal with 22 saves, supporting Charlotte to its seventh consecutive playoff victory. The Checkers have now scored 15-4 in this best-of-seven series against Laval. 'Our guys have done it all year,'' Charlotte Checkers head coach Geordie Kinnear said. 'That's a great team,'' Bezeau said. 'They finished first in their division; they're not going to go away, and we know that. We've just got to stick to our game plan and keep going.' If Charlotte sweeps the series at home Tuesday night, and if the Florida Panthers keep their Stanley Cup Final quest alive, the two teams might duplicate a task last accomplished in 1995 when the New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats captured the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup, respectively. Meanwhile in the Western Conference, the Abbotsford Canucks lead 2-0 against the Texas Stars and the series heads to Austin for Game 3. Also read: Brad Marchand eyes the second Stanley Cup in a career-redefining run with the Florida Panthers As the Florida Panthers eye a Stanley Cup championship, the Charlotte Checkers are forging an equally impressive argument for a Calder Cup Final appearance. If both teams win their respective titles, it would be a historic double victory for the organization, helping to make this year one of the most successful in Florida's hockey history.
