Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman lands new contract for rest of 2025-26 season

A little over a week after helping the Abbotsford Canucks win their first Calder Cup in franchise history, former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Christian Wolanin was not re-signed by the club and became an unrestricted free agent, with many wondering where he'd end up next, whether he'd head to Europe or stay in the American Hockey League.

As the months went by, Wolanin remained a free agent and it wasn't until a few weeks ago that he found a new home, albeit temporarily, signing a professional tryout (PTO) with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League.

On Sunday, after an impressive eight points in seven games (one goal, seven assists) during his professional tryout, the Providence Bruins decided to keep Christian Wolanin around, inking him to a one-year deal for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Wolanin, 30, spent three seasons in the Vancouver Canucks organization after being signed by the club as a free agent in the summer of 2022 and went on to appear in 16 NHL games with them during his first season.

For the majority of his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks organization, the Quebec City, Quebec native played in the AHL and was a key piece to Abbotsford's blueline, registering 120 points (15 goals, 105 assists) in 149 games and as mentioned, helped the club hoist their first-ever Calder Cup back in June.

Wolanin will look to continue his hot start in Providence on Wednesday night as the Bruins head out on the road to take on the Hershey Bears, AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals.