The air is getting crisp, the leaves are starting to turn, and the familiar sounds of skates carving up the ice are just around the corner. For hockey fans, September is a month of renewed hope and a tantalizing glimpse into the future. And for fans of the Vancouver Canucks, that glimpse is about to become a full-blown spectacle at the 2025 Prospects Showcase.
This event, which combines a rookie camp with a pair of showdown games against the Seattle Kraken’s top prospects, is more than just a pre-training camp warm-up. It’s a crucial evaluation period for the Canucks’ brass, a chance to see how their drafted and undrafted talent stacks up against real competition. This year’s roster is particularly noteworthy, with a “stacked” lineup that has fans and analysts buzzing with anticipation.
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The Road to Penticton Starts in Abbotsford
Before the main training camp kicks off in Penticton, the next generation of Canucks will first converge in Abbotsford for a two-day rookie camp. With practices scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, and Friday, Sept. 12, the young guns will have a chance to shake off the summer rust and make a strong first impression on the coaching staff.
From there, it’s a short trip south of the border for a two-game series against the Kraken’s prospects. The first puck drops on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6:00 pm PT in Everett, Washington. The rematch is set for Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4:00 pm PT in Seattle. These games are the real measuring stick, a chance to see how the Canucks’ prospects handle the pressure and physicality of a game situation.
The timing of the showcase is strategic. It gives the organization a week to assess their rookies before the main camp begins, allowing them to make more informed decisions about who will get a longer look alongside the NHL veterans. With the full NHL preseason for 2025-26 slated to start on Sept. 20 and the regular season on Oct. 7, every moment on the ice counts.
A Stacked Deck: The Headliners
This year’s 23-man rookie camp roster is a veritable who’s who of the Canucks’ prospect pipeline. Leading the charge are three of the organization’s most prized possessions: defenceman Tom Willander, forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes.
Willander, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is coming off two stellar seasons with the Boston University Terriers, where he put up an impressive 49 points in 77 games. The 20-year-old Swedish blueliner is known for his smooth skating, high hockey IQ, and two-way ability. He’s the type of modern-day defenceman that every NHL team covets, and this showcase will be a prime opportunity for him to demonstrate his readiness for the pro game.
Lekkerimaki, the 15th overall pick in 2022, already has a taste of the NHL, having played 24 games with the big club last season. In that span, the 21-year-old winger tallied three goals and three assists, showing flashes of the offensive brilliance that made him a first-round pick. After a full season of adjusting to the North American game, Lekkerimaki will be looking to dominate at the showcase and prove he’s ready to take on a full-time role with the Canucks.
And then there’s the newcomer, Cootes. As the Canucks’ most recent first-round pick, all eyes will be on the young forward. While the pressure will be on, Cootes will be looking to make a strong first impression and show why the organization invested such a high pick in him.
But the talent doesn’t stop there. The roster is loaded with other intriguing prospects, including Aleksei Medvedev, Josh Bloom, Vilmer Alriksson, Riley Patterson, Sawyer Mynio, and Kirill Kudryavtsev. And let’s not forget about Elias Pettersson, the “other” Elias Pettersson. The Swedish defenceman already has 28 games of NHL experience under his belt from last season, where he notched a goal and two assists. He’ll be looking to build on that experience and solidify his spot on the depth chart.
The Underdogs and the Hometown Kid
While the drafted prospects will garner most of the headlines, the Prospects Showcase is also a chance for the underdogs to shine. This year, the Canucks have invited five non-AHL players to rookie camp, giving them a closer look at some potential hidden gems. Among them are Nick Poisson, a former Providence College captain, Zack Sandhu from the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, and Xander Velliaris from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.
But for local fans, one name on the invitee list stands out: Jakob Oreskovic. The 18-year-old forward from the WHL’s Vancouver Giants is a Langley native and a lifelong Canucks fan. For Oreskovic, this invitation is more than just a tryout; it’s a dream come true.
“It’s special,” Oreskovic said, reflecting on his childhood spent attending Canucks games and idolizing players like Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa. He’s also a fan of current Canucks like Nils Höglander and Elias Pettersson, players he now has a chance to share the ice with.
Despite going undrafted this past year, Oreskovic is undeterred. He’s confident in his abilities and determined to show the Canucks organization what he’s capable of ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. After an injury-plagued 2024-25 season that limited him to 52 games and 21 points, Oreskovic has learned the value of patience and consistency. He’s looking at this showcase as a “launching-off point” for his upcoming season with the Giants, a team with high expectations for a deep playoff run. A strong performance against the Kraken’s prospects could be just the confidence boost he needs to start the season strong.
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Notable Absences
As impressive as the rookie camp roster is, there are a few notable absences. Four prospects will be missing due to NCAA rules that prohibit players from participating in NHL rookie camps: Anthony Romani (Michigan State University), Aiden Celebrini (Boston University), Wilson Bjorck (Colorado College), and Matthew Perkins (Northeastern University).
Defenceman Basile Sansonnens will also be absent, as he has returned to Switzerland’s top division for the 2025-26 campaign.
While their absence is unfortunate, it’s a testament to the depth of the Canucks’ prospect pool that they can still field such a “stacked” roster.
The Future Is Now
The Canucks’ 2025 Prospects Showcase is more than just a series of exhibition games. It’s a window into the future of the franchise, a chance to see the next wave of talent up close and personal. From the high-flying skill of Lekkerimaki to the steady presence of Willander on the blue line, there will be no shortage of storylines to follow.
For the players, it’s a chance to make a lasting impression, to prove they belong. For the fans, it’s a chance to dream, to imagine a future where these young prospects are leading the Canucks to Stanley Cup glory. The road to the 2025-26 season starts now, and for the Canucks, the future looks brighter than ever.
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