SPORTS NEWS

After the team’s final skate before heading to Charlotte, Jaslyne caught up with Chase Wouters to chat about the season, the road to the Finals, and what they’re focusing on heading into the next round.

Vancouver and Seattle, the two new teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), are officially building their rosters for their entry into the PWHL this season.  The roster building process takes place in two parts; the exclusive signing window and the expansion draft. This will build the new franchise’s roster of 12. The exclusive signing window is now over. 

June 8, 2025 marked game 6 of the Abbotsford Canucks and Texas Stars series. The past 3 games were played down in Texas, where Abbotsford won 1 of the 3 games, forcing the series back to Abbotsford.  This was an important game for both teams, as Abbotsford looked to win and secure their place in the finals, and Texas looked to win and push the series to game 7. 

All streaks must come to an end, which was the case on June 1, 2025 at the Langley Events Center. The Vancouver Bandits couldn’t sustain the momentum needed to catch the Calgary Surge in a 95-80 loss. The Bandits sat first in the Western Conference and overall in the league with five wins. This was thanks to two solid wins on the road, consisting of their first face off against the Winnipeg Sea Bears this season and a rematch against the Edmonton Stingers.

WickFest, the annual hockey festival that celebrates young female athletes and their passion for the game, visited the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex from January 31 to February  2, 2025. This is the thirteenth year that Surrey has hosted the festival. The weekend welcomed female athletes from across Canada and the United States, offering off-ice wellness workshops and on-ice sessions with Olympic gold medalist and event founder, Hayley Wickenheiser.

This September, female hockey players will rock on their skates at the blue line, waiting for the referee to drop the puck at Vancouver's first-ever PWHL game. In the stands, fans will cheer with excitement, ready to witness a new era of women's hockey on the West Coast.  Long-time PWHL fan Alexa Liptak heard about the expansion announcement and was overwhelmed with emotion. As a reporter for the local non-profit organization Girls at the Games, Liptak has followed the PWHL

On May 27, 2025 the Vancouver Canadians played the Hillsboro Hops for the second time this season. Last series both teams were equally matched with 3 wins each.  The Canadians looked to come out on top, after an 8 game losing streak, earlier this month. Before the series started they secured 2 wins on the road, and looked to continue the momentum back home. 

“We’ll see you in the Finals next year, Stu. You guys are too good.” said Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk, to Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner after they defeated them in game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.  Now, in a full circle moment, fans are getting a rematch between the Panthers and Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. 

May 29, 2025 marked a historic game for the Abbotsford Canucks as they kicked off round 4 of the Calder Cup playoffs against the Texas Stars, in a best of 7 series, at Abbotsford Centre.   This was the first time these teams have met in franchise history. It was a game of learning each other's playing styles and the strength of the goalies. 

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC took on the Minnesota United FC on May 28, 2025. It was a match dominated by the Whitecaps, but Minnesota held strong keeping them off the board for a final draw of 0-0. This was the Whitecaps last Major League Soccer (MLS) game before they travel to Mexico to play in the CONCACAF Champions Club Final on June 1, 2025. They were looking to get a win, but more importantly, make sure no player got injured, which they managed to do.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, a topic that has been gaining awareness in the professional sports community over the past few years. One professional athlete who has been extremely open about his mental health is Lando Norris. Lando Norris, a Formula 1 (F1) driver, race winner, and contender for the 2025 Driver’s World Championship. With such titles, comes high expectations from those around him, particularly from his team, fans, and himself.

The Vancouver Bandits faced the Edmonton Stingers in their third game of the season on May 24, 2025.  The Bandits entered the game with two wins in their pocket. The Stingers on the other hand haven’t started their season on the best foot, with a 1-2 win record, and all three of those games ultimately coming down to the wire.

If you haven’t heard, the Vancouver Whitecaps are on a bit of a heater this season. They’re currently atop the MLS standings and on June 1, 2025 they suit up against Mexico City’s Cruz Azul F.C. for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. 

The Vancouver Bandits faced the Niagara River Lions for the first time this season in their 2024 Home Opener on May 22, 2025.  The last time these two teams faced each other, Niagara shut down Vancouver’s come back hopes, defeating the Bandits in an electrifying CEBL Championship Game last August.  This time, the Bandits changed the narrative and ran away with a 109-72 victory over the 2024 champs.

The Vancouver Rise took on the Halifax Tides in their second matchup of the season on May 21, 2025.  The Rise played their first home game after two games back East, where they went 0-1-1. They were looking to get back into the win column against the Tides. Which they managed to do  with a 2-1 victory.

May 16, 2025 marked the start of round 3 for the Abbotsford Canucks, who faced off in a best of 5 series against the Colorado Eagles. 

May 13, 2025 the Vancouver Canadians began their 6 game home series against the Everett Aquasox.

Photo Credit: Megan Swain/GATG On April 24, 2025 the Vancouver Whitecaps faced off against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in the first...

Just like that, the first series of the Stanley Cup playoffs are over. Here are the teams who will continue pushing for the dream of lifting the cup.

The Vancouver Rise FC played their first game at their  home field, Swangard Stadium on April 27, 2025. They took on the Montreal Roses FC.