Abbotsford Wins First-Ever AHL Calder Cup

The Abbotsford Canucks are the 2024-25 champions of the American Hockey League.

The Canucks rebounded from a 2-0 first-period deficit tonight to score three unanswered goals and win the decisive Game Six of the 2025 Calder Cup Final by a 3-2 count at Charlotte. Abbotsford thus won the best-of-seven series, four games to two. It is the first overall league championship for Abbotsford, primary affiliate of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, who had previously earned this year's AHL Western Conference title.

John Leonard (Massachusetts) and Jack Devine (Denver) scored early for the Eastern Conference champion Checkers, who were seeking their first Calder Cup crown since 2019. Christian Wolanin (North Dakota) assisted on Abbottsford's first goal late in the opening session, before the Canucks connected twice in the second stanza to close out the scoring and claim the championship, despite being outshot, 30-20, on the evening.

Joining Wolanin as former NCAA skaters who lifted the Calder Cup with the Canucks this season were Phil Di Giuseppe (Michigan), Ty Glover (Western Michigan), Akito Hirose (Minnesota State), Jujhar Khaira (Michigan Tech), Victor Mancini (Omaha), Cole McWard (Ohio State), Ty Mueller (Omaha), Max Sasson (Western Michigan) and Nathan Smith (Minnesota State). 

Canucks Take Two-Game Lead in AHL Final

Kyle Criscuolo (Harvard) and Jack Devine (Denver) tallied third-period goals to bring the visiting Charlotte Checkers within one, but the Abbotsford Canucks held on for a 3-2 victory in Game Four of the 2025 Calder Cup Final. The Canucks now lead the best-of-seven series, three games to one.

Ty Mueller (Omaha) notched two assists for Abbotsford, including one on the game-winning goal. Christian Wolanin (North Dakota) also had an assist for the Canucks, while Devine and Eamon Powell (Boston College) set up goals for Charlotte.

Abbotsford can wrap up its first-ever AHL championship with a win in Game Five at home on Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

ADDENDUM: Charlotte rebounded for a 4-3 win in overtime in Game Five to stay alive, while also cutting Abbotsford's series lead to three games to two. Game Six is Monday night in North Carolina (8 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

Abbotsford Claims AHL Western Crown

Jujhar Khaira (Michigan Tech) and Phil Di Giuseppe (Michigan) scored goals, and Christian Wolanin (North Dakota)and Akito Hirose (Minnesota State) added assists, as the Abbotsford Canucks won the AHL's Western Conference title tonight with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Texas Stars. Abbotsford claimed the best-of-seven series in six games.

The Canucks, who earned their first-ever Robert W. Clarke Trophy with the victory, are also the first primary affiliate of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks to claim a conference crown in 10 years. Abbotsford will now take on the Eastern Conference champion Charlotte Checkers in the 2025 Calder Cup Final, starting Friday in North Carolina.