Breaking: After turning down a contract offer today, the Vancouver Canucks have just agreed to announce the signing of another notable star to bolster their roster.
“We will keep an eye on Vilmer’s development and work with him this year to help him get ready to take another step forward in his hockey career. We really like his size, skating ability, and skill set,” Allvin said in a team release.
In the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-6, 234-pound forward was selected. In 67 regular-season games last season, the 19-year-old Alriksson scored 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points and 35 penalty minutes with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.
The product of Sweden played 43 games with Djurgardens Jr. in Sweden prior to entering the OHL, tallying 21 points with 12 goals and 9 assists.
The Canucks won the Pacific Division last season with a 50-23-9 record and 109 points—their first division crown since 2012–2013. With 83 points from 38-37-7, their 2023–24 record was 26 points better than their 2022–23 campaign.
The Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the previous season, but the Edmonton Oilers ultimately defeated them in seven games.
Quinn Hughes, a defender, concluded the season with 92 points, including a team-high 75 assists, behind forward J.T. Miller, who finished with a team-leading 103 points (37 goals and 66 assists). Hughes would go on to become the league’s top defender and win the Norris Trophy. Elias Pettersson, the team captain, ended with 89 points, 34 goals, and 55 assists.
