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A trio of former Vancouver Canucks have landed a massive honour overseas with their new club in the KHL just as the 2025-26 season gets underway.

The 2025-26 season is just getting started around the globe as the KHL began their new campaign back on Friday, with the Shanghai Dragons – who rebranded from Kunlun Red Star – opening the year with a 7-4 win over SKA St. Petersburg.

“”Adam Clendening brings valuable NHL experience and plays an important role both defensively and on the power play. We consider him one of our leaders, and last season he showed he has the ability to guide his teammates on and off the ice.” Dragons General Manager Igor Varitsky said.

“The Shanghai Dragons continue to unveil their newest additions. One-year contracts have been signed with goaltender Andrei Kareyev, defenseman Doyle Somerby and forwards Ryan Spooner, Nikita Popugayev and Nick Merkley.” the Dragons said on X.

Trio of former Vancouver Canucks earn massive honor overseas for 2025-26 season

In a post on social media ahead of Saturday’s contest against SKA St. Petersburg, the Shanghai Dragons announced their leadership group for the 2025-26 campaign.

Former Calgary Flames forward Spencer Foo, who played for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics and has spent five season with the team when they were known as Kunlun Red Star, has been named captain.

Meanwhile, the club has announced four alternate captains including former Vancouver Canucks Ryan Spooner, Adam Clendening and Alexander Burmistrov, along with Jake Bischoff, who spent the last four years in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights.

“Spencer Foo named first captain in Shanghai Dragons history 🔥

Ryan Spooner, Jake Bischoff, Adam Clendening and Alex Burmistrov will wear A this season.” the Dragons said on X.

All three of Burmistrov, Clendening and Spooner had short stints with the Vancouver Canucks organization, appearing in 24 (2017-18), 17 (2014-15) and 11 (2018-19) games, respectively.

The trio will be back in action on Monday as Shanghai looks to remain undefeated as they take on Admiral Vladivostok.

Previously on CanucksDaily

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Three Former Vancouver Canucks Named Captains of the Same Team Ahead of the New Season

Do you think the trio of former Vancouver Canucks will lead the Shanghai Dragons to the postseason in their first year of the rebrand/relocation?