Latest news with #WillLockwood
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
What you need to know about the Abbotsford Canucks' Calder Cup chase
Article content WHO ARE SOME NAMES TO KNOW WITH THE CHECKERS? The Checkers feature one-time Edmonton Oilers top prospect Jesse Puljujärvi, former Canuck Will Lockwood and Vancouver Giants alum Justin Sourdif. Charlotte (44-22-3-3) finished second in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the league overall in the regular season. Abbotsford (44-24-2-2) was second in the Pacific Division and fifth in the league overall, two points behind Charlotte. Charlotte and Abbotsford never met in the regular season. Charlotte had a bye in the opening round and they have had back-to-back sweeps. With that, Charlotte has played 12 games (10-2) in these playoffs while Abbotsford is at 18 (12-6). The Abbotsford Canucks will host the Charlotte Checkers at home on June 17, 19 and 21 if necessary in their battle for the Calder Cup! LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE | — X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 10, 2025
The Province
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
The former Canucks winger has struggled to score, but has five goals in his last 10 AHL post-season games with the Checkers. Championship series opens Friday in Charlotte, N.C. Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Vancouver Canucks winger Will Lockwood during a pre-season game against Calgary last September. Photo by Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Will Lockwood scored twice for the juggernaut Charlotte Checkers in an impressive Eastern Division final sweep of the high-octane Laval Rocket to punch their AHL ticket to the Calder Cup Finals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It's not breaking news, but it's significant for the former Vancouver Canucks winger. He has five goals in his last 10 post-season games, after just 10 goals in 52 regular-season outings, and is on an expiring two-year, $1.55-million US contract with the parent Florida Panthers. The Checkers have won eight-straight playoff games, are 10-2 in the post-season, and swept their last two series. Lockwood, 26, will have extra incentive when the best-of-seven championship series against Western Division champion Abbotsford Canucks opens Friday in North Carolina. He was a third-round 2016 NHL Draft selection by the Canucks — 64th overall and 44 spots higher than an NHL Central Scouting projection — but never gained traction in Vancouver or Florida. He has two assists in 52 career games. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lockwood managed just one assist in 28 outings over three NHL seasons here, but did have 12 goals with Abbotsford in 26 games during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023 for underwhelming winger Vitali Kravtsov, who managed just one goal in 16 NHL games before the restricted free agent returned to the KHL. The pressure to perform in hockey-mad Vancouver got to a lot of prospects. For Lockwood, it was a combination of tailoring his game to the NHL and trying to be a feisty fourth-line fit. It was a physical grind and mental challenge amid roster additions. He even fought to gain attention. Feisty Vancouver Canucks winger Will Lockwood took on Noah Gregor of the San Jose Sharks in an April 9, 2022 scrap at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain / USA TODAY Sports 'I had people coming up to me and saying, 'They're picking up this guy and this guy.' I didn't have any idea,' Lockwood told Postmedia. 'You have to focus on controlling what you can. It's a business. The team wants to win, and you have to understand that. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm not going to score from the top of the circle or beat a goalie with a clear shot all the time. If I can get to those dirty areas, I'll produce.' Former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau said, 'He's got great speed, great tenacity, and for a not overly big guy, he hits real hard. If you give him enough ice time, like he had in the AHL to score goals, it will build his confidence.' Fast forward, and if this it how it ends for Lockwood in his latest adventure — hosting the Calder Cup trophy — then he'll probably take it, although he would like to keep playing. The same goes for former Canucks winger Aidan McDonough, 25, and centre Zac Dalpe, 35, who serves as Checkers captain. McDonough, a 2019 seventh-round selection by Vancouver, has yet to play this post-season. He had 10 goals in 16 games in a regular-season shortened by a leg injury. With the Canucks, he had one goal in six games, 11 goals in 58 games with Abbotsford, and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dalpe is on the same expiring deal as Lockwood and played just nine regular-season games and none in the playoffs. He was acquired by the Canucks in a trade and had seven points (3-4) in 55 games in 2013-14. Abbotsford goaltender Arturs Silovs salutes fans after backstopping a 4-2 win over Texas Stars on Sunday to advance to Calder Cup Finals. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Charlotte and Abbotsford have much more in common this season. The Checkers went 44-22-3-3 for 94 regular-season points, same total as Abbotsford, and it included a franchise record 13-game win streak. The Checkers have trailed by several goals just twice this post-season, and after leading the AHL with 16 short-handed goals in the regular season, they have six in 11 playoff games. Charlotte had the league's top-rated penalty kill in the regular season at 86.6 per cent, and Abbotsford was 17th at 82.5 per cent. However, in the post-season, the Canucks are 90.6 and the Checkers 90.2 on the kill. Same story on the power play. Charlotte was 21.2 per cent and Abbotsford 18.3, but in the playoffs, the Canucks are 22 per cent and the Checkers are just seven per cent. The biggest factor in the series could be between the pipes. Arturs Silovs and Kaapo Kahkonen have put on a post-season show. Silovs is 12-5 with a 1.94 goals-against average, .929 saves percentage and five shutouts. He's one shutout shy from equalling the AHL record set by former Canucks stopper Mika Noronen. He established it while backstopping Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Kahkonen is 10-2 with a 1.73 GAA, .927 saves percentage and one shutout. bkuzma@ Local News News News Vancouver Canucks News
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
Will Lockwood scored twice for the juggernaut Charlotte Checkers in an impressive Eastern Division final sweep of the high-octane Laval Rocket to punch their AHL ticket to the Calder Cup Finals. It's not breaking news, but it's significant for the former Vancouver Canucks winger. He has five goals in his last 10 post-season games, after just 10 goals in 52 regular-season outings, and is on an expiring two-year, $1.55-million US contract with the parent Florida Panthers. The Checkers have won eight-straight playoff games, are 10-2 in the post-season, and swept their last two series. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Lockwood, 26, will have extra incentive when the best-of-seven championship series against Western Division champion Abbotsford Canucks opens Friday in North Carolina. He was a third-round 2016 NHL Draft selection by the Canucks — 64th overall and 44 spots higher than an NHL Central Scouting projection — but never gained traction in Vancouver or Florida. He has two assists in 52 career games. Lockwood managed just one assist in 28 outings over three NHL seasons here, but did have 12 goals with Abbotsford in 26 games during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023 for underwhelming winger Vitali Kravtsov, who managed just one goal in 16 NHL games before the restricted free agent returned to the KHL. The pressure to perform in hockey-mad Vancouver got to a lot of prospects. For Lockwood, it was a combination of tailoring his game to the NHL and trying to be a feisty fourth-line fit. It was a physical grind and mental challenge amid roster additions. He even fought to gain attention. 'I had people coming up to me and saying, 'They're picking up this guy and this guy.' I didn't have any idea,' Lockwood told Postmedia. 'You have to focus on controlling what you can. It's a business. The team wants to win, and you have to understand that. 'I'm not going to score from the top of the circle or beat a goalie with a clear shot all the time. If I can get to those dirty areas, I'll produce.' Former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau said, 'He's got great speed, great tenacity, and for a not overly big guy, he hits real hard. If you give him enough ice time, like he had in the AHL to score goals, it will build his confidence.' Fast forward, and if this it how it ends for Lockwood in his latest adventure — hosting the Calder Cup trophy — then he'll probably take it, although he would like to keep playing. The same goes for former Canucks winger Aidan McDonough, 25, and centre Zac Dalpe, 35, who serves as Checkers captain. McDonough, a 2019 seventh-round selection by Vancouver, has yet to play this post-season. He had 10 goals in 16 games in a regular-season shortened by a leg injury. With the Canucks, he had one goal in six games, 11 goals in 58 games with Abbotsford, and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer. Dalpe is on the same expiring deal as Lockwood and played just nine regular-season games and none in the playoffs. He was acquired by the Canucks in a trade and had seven points (3-4) in 55 games in 2013-14. Charlotte and Abbotsford have much more in common this season. The Checkers went 44-22-3-3 for 94 regular-season points, same total as Abbotsford, and it included a franchise record 13-game win streak. The Checkers have trailed by several goals just twice this post-season, and after leading the AHL with 16 short-handed goals in the regular season, they have six in 11 playoff games. Charlotte had the league's top-rated penalty kill in the regular season at 86.6 per cent, and Abbotsford was 17th at 82.5 per cent. However, in the post-season, the Canucks are 90.6 and the Checkers 90.2 on the kill. Same story on the power play. Charlotte was 21.2 per cent and Abbotsford 18.3, but in the playoffs, the Canucks are 22 per cent and the Checkers are just seven per cent. The biggest factor in the series could be between the pipes. Arturs Silovs and Kaapo Kahkonen have put on a post-season show. Silovs is 12-5 with a 1.94 goals-against average, .929 saves percentage and five shutouts. He's one shutout shy from equalling the AHL record set by former Canucks stopper Mika Noronen. He established it while backstopping Rochester Americans to the league crown in 2000. Kahkonen is 10-2 with a 1.73 GAA, .927 saves percentage and one shutout. bkuzma@
National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
Will Lockwood scored twice for the juggernaut Charlotte Checkers in an impressive Eastern Division final sweep of the high-octane Laval Rocket to punch their AHL ticket to the Calder Cup Finals. Article content It's not breaking news, but it's significant for the former Vancouver Canucks winger. He has five goals in his last 10 post-season games, after just 10 goals in 52 regular-season outings, and is on an expiring two-year, $1.55-million US contract with the parent Florida Panthers. Article content Article content Article content The Checkers have won eight-straight playoff games, are 10-2 in the post-season, and swept their last two series. Article content Lockwood, 26, will have extra incentive when the best-of-seven championship series against Western Division champion Abbotsford Canucks opens Friday in North Carolina. He was a third-round 2016 NHL Draft selection by the Canucks — 64th overall and 44 spots higher than an NHL Central Scouting projection — but never gained traction in Vancouver or Florida. He has two assists in 52 career games. Article content Lockwood managed just one assist in 28 outings over three NHL seasons here, but did have 12 goals with Abbotsford in 26 games during the 2022-23 season. He was traded to the New York Rangers in February of 2023 for underwhelming winger Vitali Kravtsov, who managed just one goal in 16 NHL games before the restricted free agent returned to the KHL. Article content The pressure to perform in hockey-mad Vancouver got to a lot of prospects. For Lockwood, it was a combination of tailoring his game to the NHL and trying to be a feisty fourth-line fit. It was a physical grind and mental challenge amid roster additions. He even fought to gain attention. Article content Article content 'I had people coming up to me and saying, 'They're picking up this guy and this guy.' I didn't have any idea,' Lockwood told Postmedia. 'You have to focus on controlling what you can. It's a business. The team wants to win, and you have to understand that. Article content 'I'm not going to score from the top of the circle or beat a goalie with a clear shot all the time. If I can get to those dirty areas, I'll produce.' Article content Former Canucks bench boss Bruce Boudreau said, 'He's got great speed, great tenacity, and for a not overly big guy, he hits real hard. If you give him enough ice time, like he had in the AHL to score goals, it will build his confidence.' Article content Fast forward, and if this it how it ends for Lockwood in his latest adventure — hosting the Calder Cup trophy — then he'll probably take it, although he would like to keep playing. The same goes for former Canucks winger Aidan McDonough, 25, and centre Zac Dalpe, 35, who serves as Checkers captain.
