Former Vancouver Canucks Farmhand Extends His Pro Career with New Contract Amid Lack of NHL Interest
Photo credit: AHL
A former Vancouver Canucks prospect has found himself a new team overseas in Europe for the 2025-26 campaign after spending last year in the Swedish Hockey League.
This summer has been quite a busy one for former members of the Vancouver Canucks organization, with several deciding to sign contracts overseas including defenseman Adam Clendening who joined the Shanghai Dragons in the KHL and former first round pick Olli Juolevi, who put pen to paper on a deal with Finnish club, Tappara.
Most European clubs have already completed their roster additions for the 2025-26 campaign and with their leagues set to get underway within the next week or two, another former Vancouver Canucks farmhand has signed with a new team.
Former Vancouver Canucks prospect finds new team overseas after leaving SHL
Months after becoming a free agent, Tanner Kero, who spent one season in the Vancouver Canucks organization, has finally found a new club for the 2025-26 season.
In a press release on Thursday, Kolner Haie, who play in Germany's top division - DEL - announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Tanner Kero.
Kolner Haie's Sports Director Matthias Baldys was very pleased that they were able to get Tanner Kero under contract for the 2025-26 season, adding that his versatility, being able to play center and on the wing, along with any situation, was a big reason why they wanted to bring the former NHLer on board.
Note: the quotes in this story are translated from German
"Tanner is a very intelligent striker who can play in various positions and in all scenarios. He brings with him extensive experience from North America and his first European experiences from last year in Sweden. Tanner knows how to finish himself, but also how to utilize his teammates. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Tanner and his family to Cologne in the coming days." Baldys said.
Kero, a native of Hancock, Michigan, also spoke about his decision to sign with Kolner Haie, expressing excitement and believes it's going to be a good fit for him and his family.
"My family and I are very excited to arrive in Cologne and start the season. We've heard nothing but good things about the club, the city, and the fans. It was important to me to join a good team in a strong and competitive league, and the Sharks fit those criteria perfectly. I'm ready for the start of the season and look forward to playing in front of the many great fans at the LANXESS Arena." Kero said.
The 33-year-old forward joined the Vancouver Canucks organization in June 2018 when he was traded to them by the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Michael Chaput.
In his lone season with the Vancouver Canucks organization, which he spent with their now-former AHL affiliate in Utica, Kero managed to have the best year of his professional hockey career, putting up 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists), 37 penalty minutes and was a minus-14 in 67 games.
Source: Kolner Haie
Sharks sign striker Tanner Kero
Sharks sign striker Tanner Kero
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 4 | 705 ANSWERS Former Vancouver Canucks Farmhand Extends His Pro Career with New Contract Amid Lack of NHL Interest Do you think Tanner Kero will return to North America following the 2025-26 season? | ||
| Yes | 116 | 16.5 % |
| No | 589 | 83.5 % |
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