Canucks Daily: Staff Finalized in Abbotsford, WJC Prospects

The Vancouver Canucks organization announced a staff addition on Thursday and it appears the personnel infrastructure is in place with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks for the club’s second season.

Abbotsford General Manager Ryan Johnson announced the hiring of John Murray as Strength & Conditioning Coach. Murray spent seven seasons with former NHL’er Gary Roberts and his renowned training program in Toronto and also eight years with a private prep school program in Ontario.

“John is someone that comes with great experience in a team environment,” Johnson stated in Thursday’s press release. “He has been working with some of the best hockey players in the world. His knowledge and passion are qualities that I am extremely excited about adding to our organization.”

With the addition of well respected Finnish goalie coach Marko Torenius the week before, the Abby Canucks are set to go. Former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton leads a staff that includes associate coach Gary Agnew, assistant Jeff Ulmer, video coach Ian Beckenstein, skills coach Yogi Svejkovsky and skating coach Mackenzie Braid.

WJC Prospects

Through Friday night, the Vancouver Canucks prospects are undefeated at the World Junior Championship in Edmonton, although defenceman Joni Jurmo and the Finns were forced to a shoot-out on Thursday against the Czechs.

The latest efforts saw Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Team Sweden take care of business on Friday 6-0 over the Austrians. The Vancouver Canucks 15th-overall pick in the 1st-round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Lekkerimaki played 11:15 of ice time, had two shots, and picked up his first point of the tournament, an assist on the Swedes fourth goal of the night.

2020 Canucks 5th-rounder, defenceman Jacob Truscott of Team USA, saddles up shortly in the Saturday afternoon game against Austria.

The Americans and Swedes go head-to-head in Group B on Sunday evening to wrap up their qualifying round.

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