Ex-Vancouver Canuck Finds New Home Overseas in Germany for the 2025-26 Season
Photo credit: Sportsnet
A former Vancouver Canucks forward has found a new home overseas in Europe for the 2025-26 season after spending the last four years in Germany's top division.
It's been a very busy summer so far for several former members of the Vancouver Canucks organization as some began searching for new teams in Europe as soon as the 2024-25 campaign came to a close.
Throughout the offseason, we've seen numerous players with ties to the Vancouver Canucks find new clubs overseas including Jake Virtanen who signed a one-year contract in Slovakia with HK Dukla Michalovce and Linden Vey, who joined the Vienna Capitals in Austria.
Vey won't be the only former Vancouver Canuck to be suiting up in the ICE Hockey League this coming season as another forward has put pen-to-paper on a deal for the 2025-26 campaign.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward finds new home overseas in Europe
After spending the last four seasons as a member of the Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams in the German DEL, former Vancouver Canucks forward Darren Archibald became an unrestricted free agent and looking for his next challenge at the age of 35.
Archibald still has the drive to keep playing and has been a productive player too, putting up 15+ goals in each of his four seasons in Germany and earlier this summer, he was able to find a new club for the upcoming year.
In a press release on team's official website, it was announced that Darren Archibald has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Hungarian club Hydro Fehervar AV19.
Note: the following is translated from Hungarian
"The 35-year-old, 191-centimeter-tall, 95-kilogram left-handed forward will join Hydro Fehervar AV19 for the 2025/2026 season." the club said.
The Newmarket, Ontario native opened up about his decision to sign with Hydro Fehervar AV19, saying that he believes the team has a lot of great pieces for the upcoming season and it'll be a strong year for the organization.
He shared that he was impressed with how Hydro Fehervar AV19 made the players and families comfortable upon joining, adding that he's looking forward to meeting his new teammates and learning about Hungarian culture.
"I decided to join the team because I heard a lot of good things about the city and the club. I also talked to my wife and we feel that this will be a great new experience for our family. I was very impressed with my conversation with Viktor Szélig, the team's general manager, especially regarding the future of the team, the new arena and the city. With the returning players and the new signings, I expect a strong season. I am excited to be a part of this team. I like to play a hard, physical game and make it difficult for the opponents, using my strength and size. What impressed me the most was how much attention the club pays to making the players and their families feel as comfortable as possible during the season." Archibald said.
He added, "My first impression of the league is that it is fast and competitive, with a lot of skilled players. When I played in ICE before, there were no spectators in the stands due to the coronavirus, so now I'm looking forward to playing in front of an audience, especially the fans in Fehervar. My goals for the season are to make the playoffs and win the championship. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates and working together towards our common goals. I also want to learn more about Hungarian culture and explore everything the city has to offer."
He added, "My first impression of the league is that it is fast and competitive, with a lot of skilled players. When I played in ICE before, there were no spectators in the stands due to the coronavirus, so now I'm looking forward to playing in front of an audience, especially the fans in Fehervar. My goals for the season are to make the playoffs and win the championship. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates and working together towards our common goals. I also want to learn more about Hungarian culture and explore everything the city has to offer."
Archibald signed with the Vancouver Canucks as an undrafted free agent in December 2010, five days after he was traded in the OHL from the Barrie Colts to the Niagara IceDogs.
In 52 games as a Vancouver Canuck, Archibald had 14 points (six goals, eight assists), 26 penalty minutes and was a minus-one.
Source: Hydro Fehervar AV19
Darren Archibald in the frame
Darren Archibald in the frame
| POLL | ||
AOUT 5 | 956 ANSWERS Ex-Vancouver Canuck Finds New Home Overseas in Germany for the 2025-26 Season Do you think Darren Archibald will return to North America before his hockey career is over? | ||
| Yes | 129 | 13.5 % |
| No | 827 | 86.5 % |
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