Canucks: New Abbotsford coach gets assist in Aiden Celebrini's NHL chase

Дата публикации: 23-07-2026 13:00:58

Ryan Papaioannou gave Celebrini AJHL guidance and inspiration to beat the odds of sixth-round defenceman cracking NHL roster one day.

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Aiden Celebrini is entering his final and most critical season at Boston University.

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The Vancouver Canucks’ prospect defenceman was a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NHL draft and signing a pro contract at the conclusion of the coming campaign would be another step toward beating significant odds.

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The last sixth-rounder to crack the Canucks’ roster on a regular basis was the rugged Brent Sopel and that was 25 years ago when he was 23. He joined a club that included Mattias Ohlund, Ed Jovanovski, Adrian Aucoin, Scott Lachance, Murray Baron and Jason Strudwick on the back end.

Plenty of talent, size, testosterone and toughness.

Sopel was a hockey survivor. He logged 659 career NHL games with six teams and 71 playoff games. That total included 322 outings with the Canucks and 42 in the post-season. He retired at age 38.

Celebrini, 21, knows reaching his goal would be a complement to a vital Alberta Junior Hockey League development season with the legendary Brooks Bandits. They were dominant in 2022-23, with an astounding 53-5-1-1 record, and guided by head coach Ryan Papaioannou to claim their fourth national title.

Papaioannou is now at the coaching helm of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford after a year in the East Coast League with the Wheeling Nailers where he directed that club to the third round of the post-season. Maybe it’s because he was a WHL goalie. They see all and soak up knowledge of the game like a sponge.

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Aiden Celebrini celebrates a Boston University Terriers’ goal during an NCAA game against Massachusetts on Oct. 27, 2023. Photo by Greg M. Cooper /AP

“I have nothing but great things to say and few people have had a bigger impact on my career than coach Pap,” Celebrini said Wednesday from Boston following a training session. “But with the Bandits and expectations, it wasn’t all smooth-sailing like it seemed in the end.

“It’s a culture unlike any other in junior hockey. He created such a family and it was a mentality of us against the world. It grew like a brotherly bond because of the expectation of winning. We lost back-to-back games and it was unacceptable, but not in the-world-is-ending kind of way.

“It wasn’t our standard and not good enough. He had every player expecting to win every night and doing whatever it took. What stands out is his hockey mind. He’s so smart on both sides of the puck.”

A perfect scenario for Celebrini next season is obvious.

Help guide the Terriers, bolstered by Canucks prospects Caleb Malhotra and Niklas Aaram-Olsen, back to the Frozen Four tournament. Claim the national NCAA title, sign an entry level contract and perhaps play a few AHL games for Papaioannou in Abbotsford next April.

“You summed it up,” agreed Celebrini. “That’s my perfect season and what I’m hoping and expecting to happen with the squad we’ve got here at BU. And see coach Pap real soon.”

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What works for the 6-foot-1, 195 pound Celebrini is shutdown ability. The Vancouver native won’t dazzle with statistics — 21 points (3-18) in 102 regular-season games — but does the tough stuff very well. He can frustrate the opposition, box-out down low physically, work the walls and transition pucks.

There’s always room in the NHL for that pedigree.

“With coach Pap, that was the first year of identifying myself as a more defensive and shutdown guy,” stressed Celebrini. “To win games you need balance and he helped me fill that role. Since then, I’m just obsessed over the defensive side of the game. It’s not a very flashy job, but one I continually work at.”

With the Canucks in a roster rebuild, there’s incentive to eventually become part of the solution. Luke Schenn, 36, is on a one-year deal and Jamie Oleksiak, 33, on a two-year contract. By the time Celebrini is ready for ‘The Show’ he could have something worth showing.

“There’s such a culture growing there,” noted Celebrini. “Being at development camp (four times) my mindset is doing all the right things and hopefully contribute to an incredible rebound they’ve got going in Vancouver.”

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Celebrini is also buoyed by former Canucks defenceman Alex Edler joining the club in a player development role and there might not be a better mentor for Celebrini.

“I’m super-excited,” said Celebrini. “Watching him growing up he was one of my favourites. Getting to meet him at development camp and picking his brain in aspiring to reach a level, it’s really special to have him on board. He was awesome and gave me great insight with tips.”

Guidance also comes from younger brother Macklin Celebrini, 20, who has kept his quick and meteoric rise to NHL stardom in perspective. His 115 points last season (45-70) were fourth-best and the key cog in rejuvenation of the San Jose Sharks could afford to have an ego.

But he doesn’t. He’s grounded and supportive.

“The life of a player at his level gets kind of consuming at times,” revealed Aiden. “You have hundreds of people wanting to talk to him and it’s one thing he’s handled very gracefully. We talked the other day about everything and he shows such an interest and care for my career.

“It’s cool having your younger brother appreciate your career. We couldn’t be more different at this stage, but to have him as a support system is huge.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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