Why haven't Abbotsford Canucks players received their championship rings yet?
It’s been nearly six months since the Abbotsford Canucks won the first Calder Cup in their franchise’s history.
However, they’re still waiting for a fairly important commemoration of their achievement.
Both Ben Lypka of Abbotsford News and CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal have reported that players on the Abbotsford Canucks have yet to receive their championship rings.
Lypka reported that he spoke to several players on the team who have yet to receive their rings, and they haven’t received any communication about the rings since being fitted in the summer.
The wait time is longer than usual compared to previous Calder Cup champions.
Prior to Abbotsford winning, the Hershey Bears won consecutive championships in 2023 and 2024. They received their rings in October of each respective year to commemorate their AHL supremacy.
Not only that, but last season, the most recent champion prior to Abbotsford received their rings on opening night.
An incredible way to 𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 in the new season!
We were fortunate to host our ring ceremony at The Hotel Hershey last week before opening the 2024-25 season. It was a great evening celebrating our back-to-back Calder Cup champions! It was always the Bears 🐻 pic.twitter.com/ZITLFMI4H2
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) October 16, 2024
Guys who had graduated to the NHL had to wait a bit longer, but even they received their rings in early November.
Good to see our guys 🤎
Before tonight’s @Capitals game, we were able to present Dylan McIlrath and Hendrix Lapierre their 2024 Calder Cup Championship rings. pic.twitter.com/bz9yLLkOF1
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 7, 2024
While the Hershey Bears were relatively quick to get their rings finalized, other champions, such as the Cleveland Monsters (2016) and the Grand Rapids Griffins (2017), got their rings in mid-October and early November, respectively.
Over the last 10 years, the longest wait times were for the Charlotte Checkers (2019) and Toronto Marlies (2018). Both of those franchises received their rings in early December following their Calder Cup victories.
Based on recent history, it looks like the Canucks are setting a new standard in terms of making their players wait to receive their rings.
In a statement shared with Daily Hive on Friday afternoon, the Canucks claimed that “extensive time and attention” was put into the design of the championship rings and they’ll be shared with the team at some point in 2026.
“A tremendous amount of thought and care went into their design, as they represent a piece of history the players will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Extensive time and attention were dedicated to their creation to ensure this moment is celebrated in a way that truly reflects the significance of the achievement.
“We’re excited to share them with the team in the New Year and look forward to continuing to celebrate this remarkable moment in our history together.”
Perhaps a 2026 ring celebration will reinvigorate the Abbotsford Canucks.
Abbotsford hasn’t replicated the success of last season, largely because the majority of players who helped them win are no longer with the team.
Three of their top four playoff scorers from last season, Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson, have spent the majority of the season in the NHL. Other key players, such as Sammy Blais, Phil Di Giuseppe, Christian Wolanin, and Tristan Nielsen, are with other organizations.
Most notably, Abbotsford’s MVP, Artūrs Šilovs, is currently playing in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins.