After lots of speculation, the Vancouver Canucks finally revealed the name, logo and jersey design of their new AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.
Originally scheduled for July 9th, the team turned to Instagram on Wednesday morning to reveal that they will go by the “Abbotsford Canucks” starting this season.
In June, Rick Dhaliwal of “The Donnie and Dhali Show” reported that there was a ten-name shortlist for the AHL team’s name, a list that included Avengers, Aviators, Sockeyes and Falcons and Canucks.
Also the name Abbotsford or Fraser Valley is up in the air.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 15, 2021
The Abbotsford Canucks will be wearing green jerseys with Johnny Canuck as the primary logo. The jerseys will also have a modernized stick-in-rink logo on the shoulders, as well as what appears to be either an upside “V” for Vancouver or an “A” to represent Abbotsford on the sleeves.
The AHL team will wear the green jerseys at home, while sporting the white alternate jerseys on the road.
Abbotsford Canucks "alternate" jersey pic.twitter.com/3suFvji77N
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) July 14, 2021
According to the Abbotsford Canucks’ website, the Johnny Canuck logo pays homage to their roots, and to those who wore it before. The name not only forges a new chapter for the passionate AHL fans and a new identity for the club, but also represents the Fraser Valley’s rugged mountains, vast back country, and rushing rivers with its blue, green and white colour scheme.
Of course, this isn’t the first time there has been an AHL team in Abbotsford.
The Abbotsford Heat played at the Abbotsford Centre from 2009-2014, but didn’t find much success. They were also affiliated with the Calgary Flames at the time.
Prior to this relocation, the Vancouver Canucks had their farm teams in places such as Manitoba, Chicago and, most recently Utica. With the move back to B.C., the team will now be able to complete call-ups more frequently. Fans will also be able to cheer on the club’s prospects throughout the year, in between visits to Castle Fun Park and Cultus Lake.
Canucks Sports and Entertainment Chairman Francesco Aquilini also shared his excitement in the official press release.
"“We’re thrilled to unveil Abbotsford’s new AHL brand. The Abbotsford Canucks will be an extension of our history, and a new identity for fans in the Fraser Valley to embrace. Today marks an important milestone. It brings us a big step closer to puck drop in the fall and an exciting inaugural season.”"
The Canucks aren’t the only organization to have an AHL affiliate team named after the parent club. Ottawa, New Jersey, Minnesota, Boston and Dallas all took the same approach in previous years.
The Abbotsford Canucks will be part of the AHL’s Pacific Division this upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin on October 15th.
What do you think of the Abbotsford team’s new name, logo and jerseys? Let us know in the comments below!