Former Vancouver Giants teammates square off in Abbotsford Canucks playoff series
Tristen Nielsen's scouting report on Trent Miner could probably include Miner's favourite breakfast cereal.
Article content
Nielsen's Abbotsford Canucks host Miner's Colorado Eagles tonight (7 p.m.) at the Abbotsford Centre in the opening game of the best-of-five AHL Pacific Division final. Game 2 is also at the Abbotsford Centre Sunday (6 p.m.) before the series shifts to Colorado, starting with Game 3 next Wednesday.
Article content
Article content
Nielsen is a forward wrapping up a two-year free-agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Miner's a goaltender who was a seventh-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. They were teammates for three seasons in junior with the Vancouver Giants, and they billeted at the same home for two of those campaigns.
Article content
'Great guy,' Nielsen, 25, said Thursday after practice of Miner, 'but I want to put 'em by him.'
Article content
The Eagles (43-21-5-3) won the Pacific Division regular season crown, finishing two points in front of Abbotsford (44-24-2-2), and Miner was a key component for the Colorado Avalanche's top farm team.
Article content
Miner finished fifth in the AHL in goals against average (2.12) and seventh in save percentage (. 918) during the regular season while fashioning a 22-10-6 record.
Article content
This season the 24-year-old from Brandon also made his NHL debut (coming on in relief in a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 15) and his first NHL start (a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 8).
Article content
Article content
Article content
'It depends if you can manipulate the goalie or the goalie is manipulating you,' Nielsen said.
Article content
'When you're going in, you have to read him. Is he an aggressive goalie? Is he a play-in-his-net goalie? It just depends.'
Article content
Colorado and Abbotsford are among the eight teams left standing in pursuit of the AHL's Calder Cup. This is the fourth season that Vancouver has had its farm team in Abbotsford, and this is the furthest that they've got into a post-season.
Article content
'I feel like we can play in any weather, whether it's a really physical game or a speed game. That helps us,' Nielsen, who's in his fourth season with Abbotsford, said. 'We've got the depth. We've got the personnel.'
Article content
Through the first two rounds, Abbotsford was led in scoring by winger Sammy Blais, 28, who had three goals and eight points in the seven games. Fellow winger Phil Di Giuseppe, 31, was next with three goals and six points. Seven players had scored at least twice for Abbotsford, and that included Nielsen, who had that pair of tallies to go with one assist.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
16 minutes ago
- CTV News
Veteran running back Carey among Toronto Argonauts final cuts
Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, left, celebrates with teammate Ka'Deem Carey (25) during second half CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO — He was a big part of the Toronto Argonauts' Grey Cup championship last season. but Ka'Deem Carey won't help them defend it. The veteran running back was among Toronto's final cuts released Sunday. CFL teams had to make their final roster moves by 10 p.m. ET on Saturday night. The 2025 season opens Thursday night with the Ottawa Redblacks visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Toronto begins its campaign Friday night on the road versus the Montreal Alouettes. Saskatchewan, Ottawa and Montreal released their final cuts Saturday. Carey, 32, ran for team-high 1,060 yards (5.5-yard average) with seven touchdowns last season, his first with Toronto. The five-foot-nine, 215-pound Carey, who earned a '18 Grey Cup ring with Calgary, added 37 catches for 356 yards and a TD while appearing in all 18 regular-season games. Carey also appeared in all three of Toronto's playoff games, rushing for 79 yards and a TD on 15 carries in the club's 41-24 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. He re-signed with the club in the off-season. 'It's a tough day,' Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of final cut-down. 'I wish I could keep them all … it's just unfortunate we've got to make some tough decisions, that's professional football. 'You've got to go with what you think is best for your football club.' American Deonta McMahon, entering his third season with Toronto, is expected to take Carey's spot in Toronto's backfield. Also among the 18 players released by Toronto were quarterback Cameron Dukes and veteran defensive back Ciante Evans, both Americans. Dukes made nine starts last season for Toronto, posting a 4-5 record, as incumbent Chad Kelly missed the club's first nine regular-season games due to suspension. The six-foot, 200-pound Dukes completed 143-of-199 passes (71.9 per cent) for 1,444 yards with seven touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 321 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Evans, 32, signed with Toronto in the off-season after registering 31 tackles and two interceptions in 13 regular-season games last season with the B.C. Lions. Toronto placed running back Jyran Mitchell, receiver Calvin Turner Jr. and Dorian Anderson, offensive linemen Anim Dankwah and Hampton Ergle, defensive linemen Greg Reaves, Da'Marcus Johnson and Brevin Allen, linebacker Stephen Smith, defensive back Delonte Hood and kicker Alfredo Gachuz-Lozada on the practice roster. Quarterback Logan Bonner and receiver Cam Echols, both Americans, were among Calgary's final cuts. Bonner spent two seasons with the Stampeders and started the club's 37-16 loss to Edmonton last year, completing 21-of-36 passes for 284 yards and five interceptions. The six-foot, 195-pound Echols had 31 catches for 363 yards and four touchdowns in 12 regular-season games last season while also registering 12 punt returns for 109 yards and eight kickoff returns for 181 yards. The 30-year-old also spent time with Hamilton (2018) and B.C. (2019). Receivers Daylen Baldwin, Kaylon Horton and Vyshonne Janusas, linebackers Nicky Farinaccio and Kelechi Anyalebechi, defensive backs Marloshawn Franklin Jr. and Anthony Johnson Jr., offensive lineman Preston Nichols, defensive lineman Shaun Peterson Jr., kicker Jordan Noyes and punter Mark Vassett earned practice-roster spots. American defensive back Marcus Lewis, who started eight-of-11 games last season with Edmonton, was among 27 players released by the squad. Lewis registered 19 tackles, a special-teams tackle, and an interception in 2024, his second campaign with the Elks after playing previously with Ottawa (2021). The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released 24 players, including Canadian receivers Luther Hakunavanhu and Bruno Labelle. Hakunavanhu, who began his CFL career with Calgary (2021-23), had nine catches for 171 yards and four TDs in eight games last season. Labelle was entering his first season with Hamilton after appearing in 29 games over the two previous campaigns with Saskatchewan. Running back Treshaun Ward, receivers Keaton Bruggeling and Josh Johnson, offensive linemen Jakub Szott and Brayden Swartout, defensive linemen Kyle Samson, Ty Anderson and Philip Ossai, linebacker Kyler Fisher and defensive back Zamari Walton were placed on the practice squad. Canadian receiver Rysen John was among B.C.'s final 16 players released. The six-foot-seven, 220-pound former Simon Fraser star, a native of Surrey, B.C., signed with the Lions after two seasons with Calgary. Running back Deshaun Fenwick, receivers Ezechiel Tieide and Seven McGee, offensive linemen Alex Berwick and Tyran Hunt, defensive lineman Jalil Clemons, linebacker Devin Richardson, defensive backs Travian Blaylock and Jaylin Williams, long-snapper Cam Foran and punter Ross Bolger were added to the practice squad. American receiver Myron Mitchell, who dressed for four regular-season games last season, was among Winnipeg's final cuts. The Bombers also put running back Quinton Cooley, receivers Gavin Cobb, Kody Case and Reggie White Jr., offensive linemen Ethan Vibert and Tyler Elsbury, defensive linemen Jay Person and Kemari Munier-Bailey and defensive backs Ethan Ball, Cam Allen and Jaiden Woodbey on the practice roster. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
New Zealand's Ryan Fox wins 4-hole playoff against American Sam Burns to claim Canadian Open
New Zealand's Ryan Fox is the new RBC Canadian Open champion. He beat American Sam Burns in a four-hole playoff on Sunday at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. Burns fired an 8-under 62 round, the best of the day, to lay claim to the top of the leaderboard. Fox, however, still had most of the course still to play as Burns was signing his scorecard. He birdied Nos. 14 and 15 to get to within a shot of Burns and then sank a clutch birdie putt on No. 18 for a 4-under 66 day and to force the playoff. Taylor won the Canadian Open two years ago at Oakdale Golf and Country Club. TPC Toronto will host the Canadian Open again next year. It was a tight leaderboard throughout the round, with eight players tied for first before Fox and fellow third-round leader Matteo Manaserro even teed off. Ireland's Shane Lowry, for example, started his day with an eagle and followed it up with three consecutive birdies to start his day 5 under through just four holes to take sole possession of the lead. He bogeyed Nos. 17 and 18 to fall back, however.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Canadian star swimmer Aurélie Rivard will skip Para world championship to focus on studies
Canada's Aurélie Rivard has withdrawn from selection for the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in order to focus on her studies. The 29-year-old native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., said she remains passionate about the sport but wants to focus on earning her law degree at Laval University. "I've always put swimming first," Rivard said Sunday in a statement. "I took sabbatical sessions and built my life around this sport." Rivard has won six gold medals at the Paralympics since making her debut in 2012. "I'm still training and I'm still enjoying the process," Rivard said. "LA 2028 is still in the back of my mind. This is my fifth cycle, and I want to approach it slowly and thoughtfully, without burning out. I was excited about the worlds, but this time it didn't fit into my schedule." Rivard was scheduled to compete at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria on Monday and Tuesday.
