Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images.
A former Vancouver Canucks forward became a free agent on Saturday after being released from his contract overseas despite a solid 2025-26 season thus far.
Over the summer, we also saw a handful of former Vancouver Canucks decide to remain overseas rather than pursue a return to North America, including forward Ryan Spooner, a former second round pick of the Boston Bruins who inked a one-year deal with the KHL’s Shanghai Dragons.
“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 in mid-August.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward becomes free agent after being released from contract overseas
In a press release on the KHL’s website on Saturday, it was announced that the Shanghai Dragons and former Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Spooner agreed to mutually terminate his contract, making him a free agent.Note: the following is translated from Russian.
“The Shanghai Dragons and forward Ryan Spooner have mutually terminated their contract.” The KHL said.
The decision for Spooner and the Shanghai Dragons to part ways is a bit strange, especially after the strong start the Ottawa, Ontario native had to the 2025-26 season, with 20 points in 31 games, including an assist in Friday’s 4-2 loss to Lada Togliatti.
One potential reason for the mutual contract termination could be that Ryan Spooner is in talks to move to a different club in Europe, which if that’s the case, we should find out pretty soon where he’ll land next.
Spooner, 33, appeared in 11 games with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2018-19 season, picking up four assists, after being traded to them by the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Sam Gagner.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily