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
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.
