Canucks organization faces backlash after NHL insider reveals ring issue
The Canucks organization is once again under fire after Calder Cup-winning Abbotsford players have yet to receive their championship rings.
It's been nearly six months since the Abbotsford Canucks captured the first Calder Cup in franchise history, but players are still waiting for one of the most important rewards: their championship rings.
Both Abbotsford News' Ben Lypka and CHEK's Rick Dhaliwal have reported that players haven't received their rings and haven't heard any updates since being fitted over the summer. The delay is unusual compared to past Calder Cup champions.
"Abby Canucks players still have not received their championship rings and it's almost Christmas."
- Rick Dhaliwal
- Rick Dhaliwal
When previous champions have received their rings
For context, the Hershey Bears, who won consecutive championships in 2023 and 2024, received their rings in October of each year.
The previous champion also handed out rings on opening night. Even players who moved up to the NHL got theirs by early November.
Other teams, like the Cleveland Monsters (2016) and Grand Rapids Griffins (2017), distributed rings in mid-October or early November.
Over the last decade, the longest waits were for the Toronto Marlies (2018) and Charlotte Checkers (2019), who received theirs in early December, still weeks earlier than the Canucks.
What could possibly be contributing to this extended delay
Abbotsford's championship roster has changed significantly since last season. Three of their top four playoff scorers, Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson, have spent most of the season in the NHL.
Key contributors Sammy Blais, Phil Di Giuseppe, Christian Wolanin, and Tristan Nielsen are with other organizations. Most notably, Abbotsford MVP Artūrs Šilovs is now in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With no updates on the rings and much of last season's roster gone, the Canucks are struggling to replicate their championship success while setting a new precedent for delays in celebrating a Calder Cup victory.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 19 | 159 ANSWERS Canucks organization faces backlash after NHL insider reveals ring issue Are you surprised to hear that the Abbotsford players still have not received their championship rings? | ||
| Yes | 106 | 66.7 % |
| No | 53 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||