Ex-Abbotsford Canuck John Stevens signs one-year deal in Finland

Despite not playing in the Calder Cup playoffs this past spring due to an injury, his presence was still felt through their Championship run. Stevens was the second to receive the Cup after longtime teammate and captain Chase Wouters, who had high praise for the 31-year-old.

“John’s been here, he’s meant so much to the team, that’s the main thing,” Wouters said. “He unfortunately had that injury that put him out. But just the way he is every day at the rink; the way he prepares himself, the way he’s a pro, the way he treats everyone, that’s what’s so special about John, and that’s why that’s who I went to. He’s another main reason that we’re able to do this as a group, even though he wasn’t playing.”

In Finland, Stevens is set to reunite with Pete Quenneville, his former teammate from the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints in the 2012-13 season.

“I played with Pete in juniors and we have been in contact regularly,” Stevens said, in a translation of a Finnish press release from the team. “We have talked about the Finnish League and the style of play here a bit. I have also played with Finns on different teams in my career, so I have a relatively good understanding of Finnish hockey.”

Also on Kiekko-Espoo this season is former Canucks prospect Joni Jurmo.

Stevens spent nearly 10 years in the AHL, first debuting as an undrafted prospect with the Bridgeport Islanders in the 2016-17 season while still playing college hockey at Northeastern. He spent three years in Bridgeport before he was traded to the Utica Comets, which later became the Abbotsford Canucks. He never made an appearance in the NHL.