Christian Felton with the Kalamazoo Wings.

Photo credit: ECHL

The Vancouver Canucks organization has announced the return of a Calder Cup champion this week after departing the club for a new opportunity in the offseason.

Much like their parent club in the National Hockey League, the Abbotsford Canucks have been dealing with numerous injuries throughout the 2025-26 season, which combined with some inconsistent play has them dead last in the AHL’s Pacific Division with a 12-20-6 record through 38 games.

Since the puck dropped on the 2025-26 campaign, Abbotsford Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson has needed to seek out external help for his club and on Friday, did exactly that once again but this time, brought back a familiar face.

Vancouver Canucks organization announces return of Calder Cup champion

In a post on social media on Friday, the Abbotsford Canucks announced that they’ve signed 2025 Calder Cup champion Christian Felton to a professional tryout contract and have released defenseman Phip Waugh from his PTO.

“Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed defenceman Christian Felton to a professional try-out agreement.

In a corresponding move, Johnson also announced that the Abbotsford Canucks have released defenceman Phip Waugh from his professional try-out agreement.” Abbotsford said on social media.

Felton, a native of Medina, Ohio, joined the Vancouver Canucks organization in the spring of 2024 after four seasons in the NCAA, including three with Merrimack College.

After spending his first season of professional hockey split between the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks and ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, Christian Felton signed a one-year deal with the Utah Grizzlies, affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

In 30 games this season with the Grizzlies, the 25-year-old blueliner has nine points (three goals, six assists), 15 penalty minutes and is a minus-one.

Felton could make his 2025-26 debut with the Abbotsford Canucks as early as Sunday evening as they wrap up their quick three-game California road trip against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily

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Vancouver Canucks organization officially announces the return of Calder Cup champion

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