Former Blades captain Wouters inks first NHL contract with Vancouver Canucks

Is 2026-27 the year we finally ‘C’ Chase Wouters in the NHL?

If his latest pro contract is any indication, the odds are looking good for the longtime AHL captain and former Saskatoon Blades star.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, two-way contract.

“Chase has worked extremely hard to earn this contract,” Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson said.  “He is a heart and soul type player, someone who doesn’t cheat the game and always goes the extra mile to work on his craft. Detail-oriented and coachable, Chase is a very good hockey player who leads by example. I am impressed with his development and proud of the progress he has made since turning pro. Besides all his work on the ice, he is the first to raise his hand to help others and go above and beyond in the community. His leadership qualities, skill set, and hockey IQ have helped him take another step forward in his hockey journey.”

The North Battleford, Sask. product was originally drafted by the Blades with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 WHL Prospects Draft.

Wouters went on to register 181 points (75G-106A) in 280 regular-season games over parts of six seasons in the Bridge City.

Beyond the stats, he proudly served as captain for three seasons and remains the longest-serving ‘C’ in the Blades’ long history.

The 6-foot, 182-pound centreman signed with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has spent his entire professional career with the club.

Wouters has racked up 120 points (43G-77A) in 338 games in five seasons with Abbotsford and has served as team captain since 2022.

He’s won the team’s Man of the Year award four times and ranks as the franchise leader in regular-season games played (338) as well as playoff matches (38).

Wouters posted five points (2G-3A) in 24 outings to help the Canucks hoist the Calder Cup as AHL Champions in 2024-25 and brought the cup to Saskatoon to celebrate shortly afterward.

Tuesday’s signing marks Wouters’ first NHL contract.