Canucks Prospect Report: Sawyer Mynio Holding His Own-and Then Some-in Pro Debut
As the Vancouver Canucks continue to build one of the deeper defensive pipelines in the NHL, 20-year-old Sawyer Mynio is emerging as a name to remember-and not just down the line. The Abbotsford Canucks rookie blueliner is already making a strong case for being a foundational piece of the organization’s future, thanks to a steady climb in responsibility and an early-season workload that would test even a seasoned vet.
Let’s break it down.
From WHL Standout to AHL Workhorse
Mynio arrived in Abbotsford this fall fresh off a productive WHL career that saw him rack up 140 points over 227 regular-season games and hoist a league championship. That’s a solid résumé, but the jump to the AHL is a different beast-especially for a 20-year-old defenseman. Most rookies in his position are brought along slowly, eased into the pace and physicality of the pro game.
But Mynio didn’t get that luxury.
Injuries and NHL call-ups hit Abbotsford’s blue line early and often this season, throwing the defensive rotation into chaos. What started as sheltered minutes for Mynio quickly turned into top-pairing responsibilities.
By Game 6, he was logging over 20 minutes. By Game 9?
He hit the 30-minute mark. That’s not just unusual for a rookie-that’s almost unheard of.
Head coach Manny Malhotra acknowledged as much, noting that Mynio was "probably put in a situation where he normally otherwise wouldn’t be" in terms of ice time. But Malhotra also praised the young defenseman’s poise and confidence, two traits that have clearly helped him weather the storm.
Trust Earned Early
There’s a reason Malhotra leaned on Mynio so heavily so quickly: he earned it. Even-strength minutes, power play, penalty kill-Mynio was doing it all during a stretch when Abbotsford desperately needed stability on the back end. And while that kind of workload isn’t ideal for a rookie, it revealed a lot about his readiness and hockey IQ.
It also wasn’t entirely unfamiliar territory. In his final WHL season, Mynio was the go-to guy in virtually every situation.
That experience helped lay the groundwork for the responsibility he’s shouldering now. Without that foundation, this kind of early trial by fire might’ve sunk him.
Instead, he’s stayed afloat-and then some.
Offense Taking Shape
Now that Abbotsford’s roster has stabilized, so has Mynio’s role. He’s no longer a primary penalty killer, but he’s become a fixture on the top power play unit.
In fact, he’s taken over quarterback duties ahead of more experienced names like Kirill Kudryavtsev and Victor Mancini. That’s no small feat.
Through 38 games, Mynio has tallied 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists), with 10 of those coming on the man advantage. While his five-on-five production hasn’t quite matched his junior numbers, that’s not unexpected.
The pro game moves faster, the space is tighter, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But the tools are there: he sees the ice well from the blue line, walks the line with confidence, and owns a shot that can beat goalies clean.
His skating-arguably his best asset-allows him to stay mobile and make quick decisions under pressure.
Interestingly, when the Canucks drafted him, it was largely for his defensive awareness and penalty-killing chops. Those elements are still part of his game, but it’s the offensive upside that’s starting to shine through. And while he’s been used less on the PK lately, that’s more a reflection of his heavy minutes elsewhere than a knock on his defensive game.
Strength: The Next Step
At 6'1" and 181 pounds, Mynio has a solid frame, but there’s still room to grow-literally. He’s not yet consistently winning physical battles along the boards or in front of the net against heavier forwards.
That’s the next step. Another 10-15 pounds of muscle could be the difference between being a capable AHL defender and a reliable NHL regular.
The good news? The compete level is already there.
Mynio doesn’t shy away from contact, and when he loses a battle, he works like hell to get back in the play. His gap control is strong, and he uses an active stick to steer attackers wide.
That kind of effort can’t be taught-it’s embedded in his game.
Don’t Sweat the Plus-Minus
Yes, Mynio is sitting at a minus-18. But context matters.
Abbotsford has struggled defensively as a team, and no full-time blueliner on the roster is putting up pretty numbers in that department. What matters more is how Mynio has responded to adversity.
He’s been thrown into the fire, asked to do more than most rookies, and hasn’t cracked under the pressure. That bodes well for his long-term trajectory.
Projection: A Legit NHL Future
Ceiling: A top-four NHL defenseman who can quarterback a second power play unit and handle tough minutes-if the strength catches up to the instincts and skating.
Floor: A high-end AHL defender and dependable NHL call-up who can step in without hurting you.
ETA: Don’t expect to see him in Vancouver this season or likely even next fall. But if this trajectory holds, a spring 2027 debut feels realistic, with a real shot at cracking the roster in 2027-28.
Mynio lands at No. 4 on our Canucks prospect rankings-and with good reason. He’s not just surviving his first pro season.
He’s thriving in it. And that should have Canucks fans feeling pretty optimistic about what’s to come.