Former Canucks defenceman decides to leave North America
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
A former member of the Vancouver Canucks organization has decided to leave North America for the 2024-25 season.
After four seasons of playing professional hockey in North America, including some time with the Vancouver Canucks organization, Wyatt Kalynuk has decided to head to Europe for next season.
In a social media post this week, the Lahti Pelicans, a team in Finland's top division, Liiga, announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Wyatt Kalynuk for the 2024-25 campaign.
Lahti Pelicans sports director Janne Laukkanen believes that Kalynuk'sKalynuk's style of play will fit in well with Liiga,, and he'll be able to use his strong skating and understanding of the game to adapt well to his new league.
Note: the quotes in this story were translated from Finnish.
"Kalynuk is known for his attacking skills and ability to create goal chances. His strong skating skills and understanding of the game fit well with Liiga's fast style of play. Although he does not yet have experience playing in Europe, his versatile background in various leagues in North America and college hockey gives him a good basis to adapt," Laukkanen said.
He added, "At 27 years old, Kalynuk still has much to give and development potential. His versatility, offensive skills and experience make him a potential key player for the Pelicans,"
"Kalynuk is known for his attacking skills and ability to create goal chances. His strong skating skills and understanding of the game fit well with Liiga's fast style of play. Although he does not yet have experience playing in Europe, his versatile background in various leagues in North America and college hockey gives him a good basis to adapt," Laukkanen said.
He added, "At 27 years old, Kalynuk still has much to give and development potential. His versatility, offensive skills and experience make him a potential key player for the Pelicans,"
Kalynuk, a native of Brandon, Manitoba, was drafted in the seventh round of 2017 by the Philadelphia Flyers. However, after three years in the NCAA, he decided not to sign with the team and became an unrestricted free agent. Not long after, he inked an entry-level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, and he went on to appear in 26 games for them between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
In the summer of 2022, Kalynuk became an unrestricted free agent after the Chicago Blackhawks decided not to issue him a qualifying offer. On the opening day of free agency, the Vancouver Canucks signed Kalynuk to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000.
The 27-year-old made appearances for Vancouver in the pre-season but never suited up for them during the 2022-23 campaign, spending the majority of the year with AHL Abbotsford before being traded to the New York Rangers in March of that season for future considerations. In 46 games for the Abbotsford Canucks, Kalynuk had 17 points (four goals, 13 assists), 46 penalty minutes and was a plus-five.
Do you think Wyatt Kalynuk will return to North America following the 2024-25 season? Let us know what you think in the poll below.
Source: Lahti Pelicans
Reinforcements from North America - Wyatt Kalynuk to strengthen the Pelicans' defense
Reinforcements from North America - Wyatt Kalynuk to strengthen the Pelicans' defense
| POLL | ||
AOUT 9 | 85 ANSWERS Former Canucks defenceman decides to leave North America Do you think Wyatt Kalynuk will return to North America after the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 16.5 % |
| No | 71 | 83.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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