The Vancouver Canucks front office has remained busy over the last two days as they sign another one of their players to an extension.
First, it was Filip Hronek to an 8-year NHL contract extension. Second, it was Mark Friedman to a 1-year NHL contract extension. And now, Chek TV’s Rick Dhaliwal announced that Abbotsford Canucks’ captain, Chase Wouters has signed a 2-year AHL contract extension.
Wouters is a 24-year-old right-shot centreman who spent six years in the Western Hockey League. In his six years with the Blades, Wouters scored 181 points in 280 games, with over a point per game in his final overage season.
Unfortunately, the Alberta native went undrafted. But he didn’t go unnoticed. The Abbotsford Canucks and Wouters reached an agreement on an AHL team for three seasons in the 2021-2022 season, and it hasn’t looked out of place.
Wouters has produced at an over 20-point pace in all three seasons. But he’s not all about production; it’s his leadership he brings that helped elevate the Canucks, and from early on. In only his second season with the club, Wouters was named captain and has held that honour ever since receiving it.
“Chase has been an integral part of growing and maintaining the culture we want here in Abbotsford,” Abbotsford General Manager Ryan Johnson said. “His contributions on and off the ice are a testament to both his abilities and his character. We are thrilled that Chase has committed to leading this team and continuing to develop within our organization.”
Wouters had an AHL-high nine goals and 23 points with 50 penalty minutes in 66 games this season in Abbotsford. He would also tally two goals and three points in the Canucks’ six playoff games, including the series-clinching overtime winner against the Colorado Eagles to send his team off to the Calder Cup Pacific Divison Semifinals.
And now, the Abbotsford faithful will enjoy two more seasons with their leader and captain, Chase Wouters.
