Canucks Daily: Young Stars Rosters; Garland, Poolman Updates

The rosters are set for the Young Stars Classic in Penticton this weekend between the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers. and Calgary Flames. A couple different little birdies told me they thought the Jets might actually have the best young roster.

We know for a fact there will be some young Canucks trying to make a name for themselves, and some new prominent skaters have emerged.

Former Vancouver Giants scorer and Fort St. John, BC native Tristen Nielsen has caught the attention of the development staff. He was fully engaged and effective during the scrimmage again on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old undrafted and undersized forward has shown excellent mobility, compete level and creativity, and will look to earn more playing time in Abbotsford this season. He had 7 goals and 4 assists in 41 games for the AHL Canucks last season.

Other players of particular interest to watch will be forwards Linus Karlsson over from Sweden, 19-year-old, 2021 2nd-round draft pick Danila Klimovich looking to take the next step, Surrey’s Arshdeep Bains, and Nils Åman, another Swede.

Jett Woo headlines the defence group and those with a bit more experience within the organization.

For the complete roster list: Canucks 2022 Young Stars Classic Roster

‘Old Guys’

Conor Garland, a right-shot forward who moved to the left wing particularly late in the season in Head Coach Bruce Boudreau’s Canucks line-up has stayed there for the early preseason scrimmages. Actually, it can be hard to pinpoint that at times, as Garland often water-bugs all over the offensive zone in pursuit of pucks, but he was seen frequently in the left wing corner during Tuesday’s 45-minute scrimmage. Positions mean less in a game of shinny.

He and defenceman Luke Schenn used that left corner to work on their head-up, foot work after the scrimmage. (video)

Tucker Poolman, he of headache concerns from last season, played the full practice game for the team in the white sweaters and actually scored a goal from the point on a wrist shot through traffic. There was no physicality for him but he did complete the entire skate and is trying to stay healthy and on track for the start of training camp and the NHL season.

The Canucks can use every right-shot defenceman they have and can get.