Champion Forward Departs the Vancouver Canucks Organization for Opportunity in Europe
Photo credit: Abbotsford Canucks
A 2025 Calder Cup champion has officially departed the Vancouver Canucks organization this week for a new opportunity overseas in one of Europe's top leagues.
The Abbotsford Canucks have seen plenty of change this summer after winning their first-ever Calder Cup, with a number of players departing the club for a new home either in the NHL, AHL or even overseas in Europe.
Among those that the Abbotsford Canucks have lost this summer including reigning Calder Cup Playoff MVP Arturs Silovs, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins last month, along with Sammy Blais, Phil Di Giuseppe and Cole McWard, who signed with the Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets and New York Islanders, respectively.
As the offseason slowly begins to wind down across North America, with rookie and main camps set to begin in a matter of weeks, another Calder Cup champion has officially left the organization after signing in Europe.
2025 Calder Cup champion leaves Vancouver Canucks organization, signs in Finland
In a press release on Thursday morning, Kiekko-Espoo, who play in Finland's top division - Liiga, announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season with 31-year-old forward John Stevens.
Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Finnish.
"American forward John Stevens signs one-year contract with Kiekko-Espoo.
Kiekko-Espoo has strengthened its ranks ahead of the Liiga season with 31-year-old center John Stevens. The big American forward arrives in Finland from the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, where he lifted the AHL championship trophy at the end of last season." the club said.
Kiekko-Espoo has strengthened its ranks ahead of the Liiga season with 31-year-old center John Stevens. The big American forward arrives in Finland from the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, where he lifted the AHL championship trophy at the end of last season." the club said.
Stevens, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, joined the Vancouver Canucks organization through an AHL trade in January 2020 between their affiliate at the time, the Utica Comets and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now 'Islanders').
The 2025 Calder Cup champion spoke about his decision to sign with Kiekko-Espoo for the upcoming season, saying that he's looking forward to getting started and will do try his absolute best to help the club success regardless of what role he's placed in by Head Coach Jyrki Aho
"It's great to finally be here! I've been looking forward to meeting the team and getting into the swing of things. The trip was long and I was a little tired yesterday, but now everything is fine and things are getting started" Stevens said.
He added, "I try to be a good two-way player who plays well in all three zones. I'm also a good team player and do my best in whatever role I'm given."
He added, "I try to be a good two-way player who plays well in all three zones. I'm also a good team player and do my best in whatever role I'm given."
In 272 games with the Vancouver Canucks organization, Stevens registered 131 points (52 goals, 79 assists), 187 penalty minutes and was a plus-42.
Stevens is set to make his Liiga & Kiekko-Espoo debut on Tuesday, September 9th against the Lahti Pelicans.
Source: Kiekko-Espoo
Welcome John Stevens
Welcome John Stevens
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