The Abbotsford Canucks now know the road ahead for 2026-27, and the calendar opens with a familiar test. For the second straight year, they’ll start away from home against the Calgary Wranglers, then head into another weekend trip to face the Colorado Eagles. The difference this time is the timing: Abbotsford gets going on October 2, a week earlier than last season’s October 10 start.
The first home date doesn’t arrive until Week 3, when Coachella Valley Firebirds come to the Rogers Forum. From there, the Canucks stay put in Abbotsford the following week for another back-to-back set with Calgary.
The schedule gets crowded in a hurry. November, January and March are the busiest stretches on the slate, with 12 games in both November and January, and 13 in March.
November breaks evenly with six home dates and six on the road. January is the most home-heavy month, with eight games at Rogers Forum and four away.
March is the toughest travel month, with seven road games and six at home.
The finish line is a grind, too. Abbotsford closes the regular season with six straight road games from March 31-April 10, facing the Firebirds, Henderson Silver Knights, Bakersfield Condors and San Jose Barracuda.
Division play dominates the schedule, as 64 of the Canucks’ 72 games come against Pacific Division opponents. Calgary is the most frequent foe at 12 meetings.
Abbotsford will see the Colorado Eagles, San Jose Barracuda, Bakersfield Condors, Tucson Roadrunners and Henderson Silver Knights eight times each. The Firebirds, Ontario Reign and San Diego Gulls come up just four times apiece, the same number as the Manitoba Moose and Hamilton Hammers - formerly the Bridgeport Islanders.
There’s plenty of change behind the bench, too. Abbotsford will be under new leadership next season after former head coach Manny Malhotra and general manager Ryan Johnson were promoted to the NHL club. New Abbotsford Canucks general manager Richard Seeley is still in the process of finding the next bench boss in the American League.
And there should be fresh faces on the ice as well. Centre prospect Braeden Cootes is set to begin his first professional season in Abbotsford after a long run to the WHL Finals with the Prince Albert Raiders last season. Riley Patterson is also expected to get a full opportunity in Abbotsford after appearing in four AHL games at the end of last season, when he scored one goal and one assist.
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The interesting part is how carefully the Canucks appear to be managing the reunion. Schenn is not being brought back to be a nightly anchor, but as part of a rotation that can be adjusted as needed, which puts more pressure on the right side and on the players trying to claim those minutes. For Filip Hronek, Tom Willander and Victor Mancini, the move adds another layer to an already crowded competition, and it suggests Vancouver is willing to lean on depth even if it means a more controlled role for a player it knows well. [Read more 🡒]