The Vancouver Canucks are starting to build a strong prospect pool. Whether through the draft, trade or free agency, there are quite a few prospects who could make an impact at the NHL level sooner rather than later. Here is a look at the top ten prospects in Vancouver’s system at the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Note: To qualify for this list, players must be 23 or under and have played fewer than 25 combined NHL regular season and postseason games. Players are ranked based on age, position, league, and overall performance during the 2024-25 season.
Players featured on the pre-season list that are no longer eligible:
– Artūrs Šilovs
– Aatu Räty
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Honourable Mention: Anthony Romani- North Bay Battalion, OHL
C, 6’0″, 185 lbs- 162nd Overall in 2024
Anthony Romani lands in the honourable mention spot mostly because he has missed the majority of the season with an injury. Last season’s OHL leading goal scorer was projected to have a strong campaign once again and was even in the conversation for Team Canada’s World Junior team based on his play at the Summer Showcase. Expected to return from a broken clavicle in the near future, it shouldn’t be long before Romani is back to filling nets in the OHL.
10. Riley Patterson- Barrie Colts, OHL
C, 6’0″, 192 lbs- 125th Overall in 2024
Riley Patterson has had a fantastic start to the 2024-25 season. He is up to 14 goals and 27 points in 30 games and has found a consistent spot in the Barrie Colt’s top six. One of three Colts with both a power play and shorthanded goal this season, Patterson has taken another step forward this year and is showing how valuable he is to Barrie’s roster.
9. Vilmer Alriksson- Brampton Steelheads, OHL
LW, 6’6′, 214 lbs- 107th Overall in 2023
After recording 11 goals and 23 points in his first 26 games with the Guelph Storm, Vilmer Alriksson was traded before the holiday break to the Brampton Steelheads. The physical winger has yet to play for his new team but is expected to play a significant role in Brampton’s top six as they fight for playoff positioning. A prospect who earned an entry-level contract at the end of the pre-season, it is clear the organization has big plans for Alriksson in the future.
8. Danila Klimovich- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
RW, 6’2″, 202- 41st Overall in 2021
Danila Klimovich’s development has been slow, but it looks like the 21-year-old is finally finding his groove in the AHL. He is tied for the Abbotsford Canucks lead in goals and points and entered the holiday break on a two-game goal streak. One of the longest-tenured prospects in the system, if Klimovich continues this strong play, he could receive an NHL call-up sooner rather than later.
7. Sawyer Mynio- Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
LD, 6’1″, 173 lbs- 89th Overall in 2023
Sawyer Mynio is an exciting prospect who has developed into one of the most annoying players to play against in the WHL. The Seattle Thunderbirds co-captain is up to 19 points in 18 games and was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors. Already signed to an entry-level contract, Mynio will be a prospect to keep an eye on next season when he makes the jump to the AHL.
6. Kirill Kudryavtsev- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LD, 5’11”, 200 lbs- 208th Overall in 2022
Kirill Kudryavtsev continues to develop into a draft-day steal for the Canucks organization. The AHL rookie is up to 14 points in 23 games and has been consistently playing on Abbotsford’s second pairing. While he most likely won’t get called up this season, Kudryavtsev is easily a candidate to play in his first NHL game sometime during the 2025-26 campaign.
5. Arshdeep Bains- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LW, 6’0″, 184 lbs- Undrafted Free Agent
Arshdeep Bains is in a weird position where he is too good for the AHL, but he is not quite ready to be a full-time NHLer. It is clear that he has a future with the organization and has already played 11 games in the NHL this season. Expect to see more of Bains as the season progresses, especially if injuries start to hit Vancouver’s forward group.
4. Melvin Fernström- Örebro HK, SHL
RW, 6’1″, 185 lbs- 93rd Overall in 2024
Melvin Fernström continues to split time between the SHL and the J20 Nationell. The 18-year-old has 11 goals and 18 points in 12 games at the J20 level, as well as three goals and five points in 22 games with the SHL club. If Fernström can get more ice time at the SHL level, the production should come, as he generated at least two shots in three of his past four games.
3. Elias Pettersson- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
LD, 6’2″, 185 lbs- 80th Overall in 2022
Elias Pettersson has had an impressive start to his AHL career. He has 11 points in 26 games and has been consistently used on the penalty kill. A physical force who isn’t afraid to lay big hits, with some more seasoning in the AHL, he could be an everyday depth option for the Canucks in 2026-27.
2. Tom Willander- Boston University, NCAA
RD, 6’1″, 180 lbs- 11th Overall in 2023
Tom Willander remains Vancouver’s top defensive prospect. He has had a strong start to 2024-25 and is preparing to play a significant role for Team Sweden at the 2025 World Juniors. The big question for Willander is whether this be his last season in the NCAA, and if so, will he sign his entry-level contract and join the Canucks during their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs run.
1. Jonathan Lekkerimäki- Abbotsford Canucks, AHL
RW, 5’11”, 172 lbs- 15th Overall in 2022
Jonathan Lekkerimäki remains Vancouver’s top prospect. With 11 goals in 18 games, the Swedish winger is lighting up the AHL and may soon get another call-up to the NHL. If he can continue to generate scoring chances while showing he is defensively responsible, Lekkerimäki could find himself as a regular in the lineup during the postseason.
