Sports
Abbotsford Canucks Announce 2024-2025 Regular Season Schedule
The American Hockey League (AHL) has released its 2024-25 regular season schedule. The Abbotsford Canucks will kick off their campaign on the road, facing the Calgary Wranglers in a two-game series starting Friday, October 11. The team will then travel to Loveland, CO, to take on the Colorado Eagles on October 18 and 19.
Abbotsford’s home opener is set for Friday, October 25, at 7:00 PM, when they welcome the San Diego Gulls to the Abbotsford Centre. The two-game home series continues on October 26, followed by back-to-back matchups against the Tucson Roadrunners on October 29 and 30, both starting at 7:00 PM.
Click here for the full list of dates and opponents for the 2024-25 season.
Key Matchups & Schedule Highlights
- Season Opener & Finale on the Road: Abbotsford starts the season with four consecutive road games and wraps up with three in Southern California (Bakersfield, Coachella Valley, and Ontario).
- Divisional Battles: Of the team’s 72 games, 64 will be against Pacific Division opponents. The remaining eight will feature matchups against the Manitoba Moose and Laval Rocket (two home, two road games each).
- Wranglers Rivalry: Calgary will be Abbotsford’s most frequent opponent. The teams face off in the season opener on October 11 and will meet multiple times throughout the season, including Abbotsford’s final two home games on April 11 and 12.
Season at a Glance
- Familiar Faces: Former Vancouver Canuck Manny Malhotra returns as Abbotsford’s new Head Coach, while captain Chase Wouters is back for his fourth season, signing a two-year contract extension. Wouters and alternate captain John Stevens are both on track to reach 200 regular-season games played with the franchise (Wouters: 196, Stevens: 179).
- Extended Stays at Home: The Canucks will enjoy three season-long six-game homestands, the first beginning December 7 vs. Colorado and concluding December 21 vs. Tucson.
- Family-Friendly Sundays: Abbotsford will host six Sunday home games, all with 4:00 PM puck drops, offering the perfect opportunity for families to catch the action.
- Canadian Matchups: Nearly 28% of the schedule (20 of 72 games) will be against fellow Canadian teams: Calgary Wranglers, Laval Rocket, and Manitoba Moose.
- Road Warriors: The Canucks will embark on two six-game road trips, the first running from November 19 (Bakersfield) to November 30 (San Jose).
- AHL All-Star Classic: The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic will take place at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA, home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, on February 2-3. Last season, Surrey, BC native Arshdeep Bains represented Abbotsford, leading all scorers with five points (2G, 3A) and earning All-Star Challenge MVP honors.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.