The Abbotsford Canucks have added another blue-liner to the organization, signing former Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Isaac Belliveau to a one-year AHL contract.
Belliveau, 23, was a fifth-round selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and now lands with Vancouver’s affiliate after spending the last three seasons moving between the AHL and ECHL. The 6-foot-2 left-shot defenseman has been in plenty of different rinks lately, and his production has followed him along the way.
In 2023-24, Belliveau spent most of his time with the Wheeling Nailers, the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, and delivered a strong offensive season from the back end. He finished that year with 14 goals and 24 assists in 70 games. Last season was more of a split assignment, with Belliveau appearing in 22 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and 25 more for Wheeling.
His path took another turn in June of 2025, when he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal that sent defenseman Connor Clifton the other way. Belliveau then joined the Rochester Americans and recorded a goal and five assists in 36 AHL games.
Before turning pro, Belliveau built his junior résumé in the QMJHL. He spent about two seasons with the Rimouski Océanic and nearly three with the Gatineau Olympiques. His best offensive year came in 2019-20, when he piled up 53 points in 62 games as a rookie with Rimouski.
Belliveau signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Penguins in 2023, but he never got into a game for Pittsburgh. After the trade to Buffalo, he did not receive a qualifying offer.
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