A word on each of the 9 players cut from the Canucks’ preseason roster

Realistically, none of the cuts came as a surprise. This early wave — often made up of camp invites and younger prospects — tends to follow a predictable pattern, as teams prioritize getting players back to their junior clubs in time for the start of the season.

Here’s what you need to know about all nine.

The Ontario Four return

All four Canucks-affiliated prospects from the OHL were sent back to their respective clubs. And while a couple may have been on the bubble for preseason action, the decision to return them early is understandable, given that the OHL regular season is already underway.

Of the four, Riley Patterson was the only one not drafted this past summer and returning for his second duty in Penticton.

After a strong showing at the 2025 Prospect Showcase in Washington, where he was elevated to the top line alongside Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Vilmer Alriksson, there was some surprise that he didn’t get into a preseason game.

Though quieter during the Blue vs. White scrimmage, all reports suggest Patterson had a solid camp overall and continues to project as reliable depth in the system.

More importantly, he didn’t leave camp empty-handed.

Just hours after being released, Patterson was awarded his official entry-level contract with the organization.

“Riley is a right-shot centre prospect who has made strides working with our development group the past couple years,” said GM Patrik Allvin in the team’s release.

With a contract in hand, Patterson heads back to the OHL with a fresh start, having been traded this offseason from the Barrie Colts to the Niagara IceDogs. While he played mainly on the wing in Barrie, the expectation is that he’ll slot back into his natural centre position in Niagara — a position that bodes well for his development within the system, given their lack of depth in that position.

Considering he returns to a brand-new team and systems, acclimating himself now feels like the best course of action.

His first chance to slide into the lineup is this Friday when the IceDogs host the Saginaw Spirit.

But Patterson wasn’t the only player heading back to the OHL without a payday, as Gabe Chiarot also showed well enough to warrant an ELC.

Selected in the sixth round this summer, he was another standout from the Prospect Showcase and one of the more tenacious players on the ice. Hard on pucks, aggressive in 50/50s, and engaged throughout.

“Gabriel has good drive, work ethic, and tenacity, and also has a nose for the net,” Allvin noted in the same press release.

It’s not often that a sixth-round pick comes out of his first NHL camp with a contract in hand, so it’s a strong endorsement of the impression he left.

The recently turned 19-year-old winger now returns to the Brampton Steelheads, where he’s expected to take on a larger role — potentially even top-line duties. He’s already coming off a strong season in which he took steps in his offensive game, and looks poised for another leap in production.

He’ll suit up on Friday against the London Knights.

Already under contract, Aleksei Medvedev was another candidate many assumed might see a pre-season game — especially after a strong showing in Everett and three days with one of the main groups in Penticton.

Still, returning him now makes sense.

The London Knights have opened their season winless through two games and are expected to lean heavily on Medvedev to stabilize the net as their go-to starter.

The keys are now his, and the expectation is for him to have a big season with that new responsibility. By all accounts, the Canucks view him as a key piece of the club’s future between the pipes, and his early showings this month only strengthened that belief.

Kieren Dervin, the Canucks’ third-round pick in June, will now return to kick off his rookie campaign with the Kingston Frontenacs.

The 6-foot-1 pivot joins the OHL ranks after playing high school hockey at St. Andrews College and is expected to take on a top-six role in his first year.

While raw, his size, puck protection, and offensive instincts offer upside that will be watched closely throughout the season.

One unsigned invite: Zack Sandhu

While technically five players were returned to the OHL, one of them — Zack Sandhu — remains unsigned as an undrafted invite. The 6-foot-2 Oshawa Generals defender was brought in as a camp invite after previously participating in the team’s summer development camp.

Despite not dressing in the Prospect Showcase as an invite, Sandhu practiced with the group and spent main camp with Group C. With months of tied connections to the team, he could be a serious candidate for a contract at season’s end.

Josh Bloom sent to Abbotsford

Perhaps the most notable name among Sunday’s cuts was Josh Bloom, who heads to Abbotsford without appearing in a single pre-season game.

A 22-year-old winger entering the final year of his ELC, Bloom failed to stand out at the Prospect Showcase and did not dress for the Blue vs. White scrimmage.

While there’s always the possibility of a minor injury holding him back, an early reassignment without any in-game looks isn’t ideal for a player trying to secure a long-term role in a contract year.

While a 39-point ECHL campaign in 2024-25 is encouraging, Bloom may have to burst onto the scene this time around for him to catch the eyes of this management team.

AHL trio returns on Professional Tryouts

Three players on AHL contracts were also sent down after their professional tryouts.

Jackson Kunz, a former Canucks pick whose rights were not retained this summer, returns to Abbotsford. Known for his size (6-foot-3) and net-front presence, he’ll be pushing for a full-time role.

Dino Kambeitz provided the Abbotsford Canucks with decent depth throughout their 2024-25 Calder Cup season, scoring 10 goals in 52 games. With an AHL deal in place, the 25-year-old will likely provide the same ECHL/AHL tweener depth this time around.

Finally, Cooper Walker has also provided the same type of depth, skating in 47 games with the Abbotsford Canucks over the last two seasons. The 23-year-old former captain of the Guelph Storm (OHL) wore an “A” as an Alternate Captain for the Canucks during the Prospect Showcase in Washington, USA.

Down to 50

With Sunday’s cuts, the Canucks’ camp roster sits at 50 players. They’ll need to trim that number down to 23 by October 6, with five exhibition games still on the schedule.

As the competition ramps up, the next round of cuts should bring more meaningful battles — and potentially a few surprises.