After six seasons in the KHL, Ilya Safonov made his first appearance in Canucks colours in Abbotsford before heading to NHL training camp in Penticton next week.
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Ilya Safonov appeared in Vancouver Canucks colours for the first time on Saturday, as the club used a prospects showcase in Abbotsford to evaluate players ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The 25-year-old centre is set to attend his first NHL training camp next week in Penticton, with the Canucks getting underway Sept. 17, making his early work in Canada a lead-in to the next stage of his career.
Safonov arrives in the organization after six seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, including a 16-goal, 33-point campaign for Kazan Ak-Bars last season.
During Saturday’s prospects showcase game, he started on left wing and played on a line with Braeden Cootes, a first-round pick from 2025, and Bennett Schimek.
Safonov also drew attention in the context of communication and adaptation, with defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev acting as his translator during post-game remarks to a small group of media at Rogers Forum.
In his comments, Safonov described Saturday as the first game of a new season after a long summer, noting that not everyone had full clarity on the team’s system. He said the group would review film and avoid repeating the mistakes that occurred in the contest.
When asked about his interest in earning a spot on the NHL roster, Safonov pointed to the idea of using the rookie tournament as a stepping stone into main camp, and he emphasized that while practices matter, games show what a player can do.
Safonov also highlighted how the NHL schedule differs from his prior preparation in Russia, where he said teams practice together starting in late July and effectively run a camp-like structure for about a month.
He said his summer was shortened by an injury after the KHL final and that he completed rehabilitation before coming into this phase, describing the adjustment to a first NHL season as challenging while also expressing excitement.
In practical terms, Safonov also addressed his move to Canada, saying he arrived in Vancouver about a month earlier, around Aug. 15, and described the city’s surroundings as appealing. He added that he has a personal interest in fishing but has not had time yet.
Language presented another major adjustment: Safonov said it is his first time in Canada and that he has been receiving tutor lessons a couple of times a week to work on basic communication, including asking for food and speaking with teammates on the ice.
He also explained that some of the hardest parts are away from the rink, pointing out that his wife and four-year-old son remain in Moscow for the time being. He said the expectation is that the family would join him once he is settled and the season starts.
On the ice, Safonov did not record a goal as part of the game result and did not factor into any of the Canucks’ three goals, though he did receive power-play time. The broader evaluation, he said indirectly through the nature of the contest, is that the single-game environment offered less preparation than a fully structured lead-in.
In Abbotsford head coach Ryan Papaiounnou’s assessment, Safonov was singled out among the brighter performances from the top group alongside Cootes. Papaiounnou said they generated a nice effort, made plays, and got “on the inside,” while noting Safonov’s puck strength, physical play, and willingness to engage.
Papaiounnou also described the forward as upbeat and fun to chat with, while acknowledging a language barrier that comes with the transition to a new environment. He said he was interested in seeing more from Safonov in the next meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
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