Arshdeep Bains makes historic NHL debut
Former Red Deer Rebels star Arshdeep Bains has made his NHL debut.
The Surrey, BC native suited up for his hometown Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday as they took on the Colorado Avalanche at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Bains had been recalled from the Abbotsford Canucks (Vancouver’s AHL affiliate) for the first time on Friday.
The 23-year-old was an undrafted free agent when he signed an entry-level contract with Vancouver on March 11, 2022.
AUDIO: Rebels Owner/President/GM Brent Sutter chats about Arshdeep Bains making his NHL debut
Bains joined the Rebels as a listed player in November 2017. He went on to play 257 regular season games with the team, compiling 209 points (sixth-most in team history). His 132 career assists are fifth-most in Rebels history. During his final season with the Rebels in 2021-22 he won the WHL scoring title with 112 points.
He is top 20 in American Hockey League scoring this season with 39 points and was named Most Valuable Player at the recent AHL All-Star Challenge in San Jose, California.
Bains is the 68th former Red Deer Rebels player to play in an NHL game.
Harpreet Pandher of Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi Edition (Twitter/X @HarpPandher) points out that Bains is just the fourth Punjabi player to play in the NHL.
A dream come true for Arshdeep Bains.
Welcome to the @NHL! pic.twitter.com/l6GkPxcYAv
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 21, 2024