Former NHLer finds new home after departing the Vancouver Canucks organization
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Photo credit: Charles LeClaire – Imagn Images.
A former National Hockey League forward has found himself a new home overseas in Europe just weeks after his departure from the Vancouver Canucks organization.
As everyone knows, it’s been a very difficult season for the Vancouver Canucks as they sit dead last in the NHL’s overall standings, but their two minor league affiliates have also struggled during the 2025-26 campaign.
Among those that signed with the club was former New York Islanders forward Arnaud Durandeau, who joined Abbotsford on a professional tryout (PTO) less than two weeks after the season began.
“Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed forward Arnaud Durandeau to a professional try-out agreement.” the team said back in October.
Former NHLer finds new home after departing the Vancouver Canucks organization
A few days before Christmas, the Abbotsford Canucks announced on social media that they were releasing Arnaud Durandeau from his professional tryout after 19 games, where he put up three assists, eight penalty minutes and was a minus-seven.”The following transaction has occurred:
Abbotsford has released LW Arnaud Durandeau from his professional try-out agreement.” the club said on X.
22 days after Durandeau was released from his PTO, he’s found a new home and for the second time in as many seasons, the 26-year-old winger will be taking his talents overseas to Europe.
Note: the following has been translated from Slovak
“After strengthening its defense, HKM Zvolen also reached out for offensive reinforcements. Canadian forward Arnaud Durandeau, who has more than 200 AHL starts and briefly played in the prestigious NHL, joined Pustý Hrad.
Arnaud, welcome to the Knights!” HKM Zvolen said.
The Montreal, Quebec native joins a few familiar faces to fans in North America at HKM Zvolen including goaltender Kevin Mandolese, former Montreal Canadiens draft pick Gianni Fairbrother and former Vancouver Canucks prospect Cole Cassels.
Durandeau is set to make his debut for HKM Zvolen, who currently sit eighth in the Slovak Extraliga standings, as early as Friday as they take on HK Kosice.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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Former NHLer finds new home after departing the Vancouver Canucks organization
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