Nine Former Canucks Set for Returns to Vancouver in 2026–27 Season

As the 2026–27 NHL season approaches, excitement builds for fans of the Vancouver Canucks, particularly with the return of nine former players to Rogers Arena. These matchups will not only rekindle memories but also showcase some familiar faces who once donned the Canucks’ colors. The schedule reveals that two games will occur in October, two in November, four in December, and one in January, creating a compelling narrative for each player’s return.

The first to return is ex-captain Quinn Hughes, now with the Minnesota Wild, who will make his long-awaited appearance on October 25. The talented defenseman, traded by the Canucks in December 2025, last played in Vancouver during a 3–2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Drafted by Vancouver in 2018, Hughes’ tenure included two seasons as captain, and his return is likely to draw a significant crowd. He will also face the Canucks again on November 21.

Another notable return will be Teddy Blueger of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is set to hit the ice on October 31. After signing a two-year contract with Toronto, Blueger will make his first and only return to Vancouver this season for a 4:00 PM game. During his three seasons with the Canucks, he emerged as a leader, especially towards the end of the 2025–26 season. Although the Canucks will meet the Maple Leafs again in Toronto on March 13, this will be a special homecoming for Blueger.

Danila Klimovich, now with the Philadelphia Flyers, could make his Vancouver debut on November 9. Although he never played for the Canucks at the NHL level, Klimovich was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft and made a name for himself in Abbotsford, tying the franchise record for career goals. After not receiving a qualifying offer from Vancouver, he signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia, making his potential return an intriguing storyline.

On November 13, Marcus Pettersson will return with the New York Rangers. Pettersson spent just one season with the Canucks but made an impact, averaging over 21 minutes of ice time and being one of the few players to participate in all 82 games during the 2025–26 season. His trade to the Rangers in exchange for a first-round pick adds further intrigue to his return.

Tyler Myers, who was a staple on the Canucks’ blue line for nearly seven seasons, will make his return with the Dallas Stars on December 5. Having played 488 games for Vancouver, Myers was one of the longest-tenured players before his trade in March. His presence will certainly be felt as he steps back onto the ice at Rogers Arena.

Nils Höglander, traded to the Nashville Predators, will return on December 10. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Höglander spent six seasons with the Canucks before moving to Nashville. His return will be another highlight for fans who remember his contributions to the team.

Another player to watch is Kiefer Sherwood, who will face the Canucks with the San Jose Sharks on December 19. After being traded midway through the 2025–26 season and missing out on a potential return due to injury, Sherwood’s first game back in Vancouver is much anticipated, especially considering his popularity among fans during his time with the Canucks.

On December 30, Curtis Douglas will skate onto the ice with the Seattle Kraken. Although he only played 14 games for the Canucks, Douglas earned praise for his physical style of play. His return during the regular season is highly anticipated following his earlier appearance in the pre-season.

Finally, Conor Garland will complete the list of former Canucks returning to Vancouver on January 16 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Garland, who spent nearly five seasons with Vancouver before being traded ahead of the 2026 Trade Deadline, will surely evoke memories for fans who watched him in action.

Mark your calendars for these highly anticipated matchups as former Canucks return to Rogers Arena, reigniting connections between players and the passionate fanbase they once played for.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.