Kiefer Sherwood’s time in Vancouver came to a close in a way that felt almost poetic: grinding through a solo skate, putting in the work right up until the moment he was told he’d been traded. The Canucks are sending the 30-year-old winger to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Cole Clayton and a pair of second-round picks in 2026 and 2027-a deal that signals Vancouver’s full commitment to a long-term rebuild.
For Sherwood, the move is bittersweet. Speaking with reporters shortly after the trade, he didn’t hold back on what his time in Vancouver meant to him.
“First and foremost, I’m really thankful for everything that the city and this organization has given me,” Sherwood said. “I know they say you earn it, but you’ve got to have the opportunity.”
And Sherwood certainly made the most of his. A late bloomer by NHL standards, he found a home in Vancouver, both on the ice and in the locker room. The Canucks gave him a platform, and he responded with the best hockey of his career.
Over the last two seasons, Sherwood emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise grim stretch for the franchise. He broke the 40-point mark in 2024-25 and set an NHL record for hits in a single season. This year, he leaves as the team’s leading goal scorer with 17-just two shy of his career high-even as the Canucks stumbled through one of the worst two-year stretches in team history.
His production wasn’t just impressive-it was consistent, physical, and passionate. Sherwood played every shift like it mattered, and that didn’t go unnoticed by fans or teammates.
But hockey is a business, and Sherwood gets that. Vancouver is clearly leaning into a rebuild, and with the team’s prospect pool in need of replenishment, Sherwood’s value on the trade market was too good to pass up.
“The organization is going to benefit from this, with the picks and whatnot,” he said. “So I’m just really grateful for everything.”
That gratitude extended beyond the rink. Sherwood spoke with emotion about the relationships he built in Vancouver, noting that he hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye to all of his teammates before speaking to the media.
“I guess that’s when it started to sink in a little bit, just giving everyone hugs,” he said. “There’s a lot of special guys in there… you make relationships for life.”
Sherwood’s departure comes just weeks after the Canucks traded captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild-a move that effectively confirmed the franchise’s direction. While Sherwood doesn’t see his trade as directly tied to Hughes’, he acknowledged the broader shift.
“I think the direction of the team took a turn, and they’re doing what’s best for them,” he said. “So business is business at the end of the day… Quinn’s always a friend for life.”
Despite the tough seasons, Sherwood remained philosophical about the adversity the team faced.
“As a competitor, you always get frustrated after every loss… but that’s life,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not what happens, but it’s how you respond.”
That mindset served him well in Vancouver, and it’ll serve him just as well in San Jose. The Sharks, who’ve quietly accelerated their own rebuild, now add a veteran winger with a relentless motor and a proven ability to contribute at both ends of the ice. And while Sherwood is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury, he’s hopeful to be back in time for the Sharks’ upcoming visit to Vancouver on January 27.
He’s also excited about what lies ahead in the Bay Area, particularly the chance to play alongside rising stars like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
“Their rebuild has probably happened quicker than they thought,” Sherwood said. “I know they have some special players coming up in their system… I’m just trying to be in the present right now and process everything. I’m looking forward to the new start.”
Still, the move doesn’t erase what Vancouver meant to him. Sherwood spoke with genuine emotion about the connection he and his family felt to the city, and how he’ll carry those memories with him.
“I have nothing but great memories,” he said. “Me and my wife are expecting, and maybe telling [our daughter] about all the great times that we had here, and showing her some great memories. I just leave with my head held high, and nothing but just appreciative.”
From the chants of his name in Rogers Arena to the respect he earned in the locker room, Sherwood made an impact in Vancouver. And while his chapter with the Canucks has closed, he exits the organization as a model of professionalism, perseverance, and heart.
In a different version of the Canucks’ rebuild timeline, maybe Sherwood sticks around as a key piece of a playoff push. But in this reality, he moves on-grateful, grounded, and ready for what’s next.