Welcome back to the Vancouver Canucks Prospects Report. As we cross the mid-point of March, the atmosphere around the organization is defined by a distinct duality. While the big club navigates the final, difficult weeks of a season that sees them at the bottom of the standings looking toward the 2026 Draft Lottery, the kids in the system are playing some of the most high-stakes hockey of their lives.
The next seven days (March 17 – 23) represent a massive shift in the developmental calendar. We are witnessing a franchise scoring record under threat in the American Hockey League (AHL), a sprint to the finish in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and the looming “Selection Sunday” in the NCAA. Here is the state of the pipeline as the postseason lights turn on.
AHL: New Faces & Danila Klimovich Eyes Abbotsford History
In Abbotsford, the narrative has shifted toward individual progression as the team fights through a season hampered by injuries and roster churn. The headline story remains Danila Klimovich, who is currently knocking on the door of the history books. The 23-year-old winger has reached 65 career AHL goals, moving into second place all-time for the franchise. He now sits just five goals back of Linus Karlsson’s record of 70.
What makes this chase compelling is Klimovich’s recent resurgence. After a middling start to the season, the Belarusian winger has caught fire in March, racking up four goals and seven points over his last five contests. His recent performance against the Manitoba Moose — a two-goal effort where he led the team in shots — showcased the high-end release that originally made him a second-round pick. With four points in his last three games alone, Klimovich is playing his best hockey at exactly the right time to challenge for the franchise crown before the season concludes.
As Klimovich chases history, the front office has been busy insulating the lineup with a specific profile of player: big, mobile, and hard to play against. Jayden Grubbe, a 6-foot-3 right-shot center recently acquired from the Edmonton Oilers, is a prime example. The former WHL captain wasted no time making an impression, netting his first goal for the club on March 15. His arrival provides the middle of the ice with a much-needed physical edge and a high motor.
This philosophy extends to the recent collegiate signings of Austin Brimmer and Bennett Schimek, who add depth to a group currently led in scoring by the reliable Nils Åman. These fresh faces are joining a squad that has seen stabilizing performances from young goaltender Ty Young, who recently secured his first career AHL shutout. Whether it is Klimovich’s scoring touch or Grubbe’s physical presence, the final weeks in Abbotsford are about identifying who can play the “heavy” style of hockey the organization wants to implement for the long term.
OHL: Patterson and the Eastern Contenders
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) regular season concludes on March 22, and for the first time in years, the Canucks have a significant presence in the Ontario postseason picture.
Riley Patterson, Niagara IceDogs
The move from Barrie to the Niagara IceDogs has proven to be the turning point of Riley Patterson’s young career. Since being selected in the fourth round in 2024, Patterson has transformed from a project into a top-tier prospect. Now a full-time center, he has become the undisputed engine of the IceDogs’ offence.
Related: Riley Patterson Is a Rising Star in the Canucks’ Prospect Pool
Patterson currently sits tied for 11th in OHL scoring with 81 points through 58 games. His dominance was on full display this past Saturday in a 7-1 rout of the Erie Otters, where he notched two goals. Having already signed his entry-level contract, he enters the playoffs as one of the league’s most dangerous players.
Gabriel Chiarot, Kitchener Rangers
Despite the Kitchener Rangers being projected as the top seed in the Western Conference, Gabriel Chiarot is currently battling through a difficult 10-game scoring drought. However, he continues to see top-six minutes because of his “pro-style” habits: winning board battles, killing penalties, and creating space for his linemates. For Kitchener to make a deep run, they will need Chiarot to rediscover his finishing touch, but his floor as a reliable 200-foot player remains intact.
Kieren Dervin, Kingston Frontenacs
After missing time earlier in the season, Kieren Dervin has returned to the Kingston Frontenacs lineup without missing a beat. He has put up 40 points – including four goals and eight points in his last 10 games – and has been a stabilizing force for a sixth-seeded Kingston team. Dervin operates with a pro-level frame and a straight-line simplicity that coaches love in the playoffs. He is exactly the type of player who can tilt a series by making life miserable for opposing defenders on the forecheck.
Alexei Medvedev, London Knights
The most intriguing subplot in the OHL is in the crease for the London Knights. Alexei Medvedev, a 2025 second-round pick, has recently seen a reduction in starts in favour of Sebastian Gatto. While Medvedev’s numbers have fluctuated from last season (3.28 goals-against average and .891 save percentage compared to 2.79 and .912), his ceiling remains high. In London, the playoffs are often a war of attrition; Medvedev will need to stay sharp, as the Knights’ championship aspirations may eventually rest on him reclaiming the starting job during a long postseason run.
WHL: Cootes and Alcos Prepare for the Spotlight
The Western Hockey League (WHL) features two of the highest-ceiling prospects in the system, both of whom are poised for deep spring runs.
Braeden Cootes, Prince Albert Raiders
In the WHL, all eyes are on the Canucks’ top-ranked prospect, Braeden Cootes. After a scary incident earlier this month involving an open bench gate, Cootes put any injury concerns to rest this past Friday. He exploded for a four-point night (one goal, three assists) in an 11-0 rout of the Moose Jaw Warriors, proving his elite pace remains intact.
Since his trade to the Prince Albert Raiders, Cootes has been the catalyst for a team that has already clinched the East Division title. With 58 points through 43 games, his blend of high-end speed and defensive detail makes him a legitimate candidate to push for an NHL roster spot as early as training camp next fall.
Parker Alcos, Kelowna Rockets
On the blue line, Parker Alcos has reached the 30-point mark for the Kelowna Rockets. While he doesn’t drive offence at an elite rate, his value lies in his 6-foot-3 frame and professional-grade gap control. Because Kelowna is the host city for the 2026 Memorial Cup, Alcos is guaranteed a spot in the national championship tournament. This provides him with a massive stage to showcase his shutdown abilities against the best talent in the country.
NCAA Tournament
Selection Sunday Survivors
While several prospects saw their conference dreams end in heartbreak this past weekend, two key names have officially survived to see the national bracket on March 22:
Anthony Romani (Michigan State): Despite an early exit in the Big Ten tournament, Romani and the Spartans are locks for the national tournament. Romani’s spectacular freshman season — 27 points in 35 games — has positioned Michigan State as a projected No. 3 overall seed. Expect Romani to be a primary target for a Canucks entry-level contract the moment his tournament run concludes.
Matthew Lansing (Quinnipiac): Lansing and the Quinnipiac Bobcats suffered a shocking quarterfinal sweep at the hands of Clarkson, but their body of work remains strong. According to current Pairwise projections, Quinnipiac has officially clinched an at-large bid. Lansing, who has 18 points and a team-high plus-20 rating, will provide the Bobcats with essential bottom-six defensive reliability as they look to repeat their past tournament magic.
The Eliminated Group
The collegiate season has officially come to a close for the following prospects, as their teams failed to secure at-large bids after conference losses:
Daimon Gardner (St. Cloud State): Gardner’s season ended in overtime heartbreak; the 6-foot-4 power forward project is expected back for his senior year to continue developing his physical game.
Aiden Celebrini (Boston University): Celebrini finishes his junior year with seven points in 35 games. He now faces a pivotal decision between returning for his senior year or signing a pro deal (likely AHL-level) to join the Abbotsford blue line.
Matthew Perkins (Northeastern): Perkins wrapped up his junior campaign with seven points in 29 games. He is expected to return to the Huskies for his senior year.
Wilson Björck (Colorado College): Björck impressed as a freshman with 15 points in 31 games. He remains one of the more exciting prospects in the pool and will return to CC next season.
The Week Ahead: Key Dates to Monitor
The next seven days will dictate the spring schedule for the future of this franchise.
- March 22: CHL regular season concludes; final playoff matchups set for Patterson, Cootes, Alcos, Dervin, Medvedev, and Chiarot.
- March 22: NCAA Selection Sunday; determining if Romani and Lansing get their shot at a National Title.
- Ongoing: Klimovich’s pursuit of the 70-goal mark in Abbotsford.
While the results at the NHL level are difficult to stomach right now, the sheer volume of prospects entering meaningful playoff hockey suggests that the foundation for 2026-27 and beyond is being laid in earnest.
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