The Abbotsford Canucks aren’t just champions on the ice. They’re also champions in our community.
On Jan. 14, Councillors Barkman, Driessen, Loewen and Gibson visited the City-owned and Canucks-managed Rogers Forum (formerly Abbotsford Centre) as part of our ongoing Business Spotlight tour series to learn more about how the arena and Canucks organization operate and their impact on Abbotsford.
Chief Operating Officer Jim Kozak and his team led the tour, which took us from the lounge and boxes at the top, down through the commissary and offices to the kitchen before wrapping up with a look at the locker room and players’ facilities.
Since 2009, the venue has been a regional destination for sports and entertainment, attracting guests from across the province to our community and contributing to our local economy. Since 2021 it’s also been the home of the 2025 American Hockey League (AHL) champion Canucks. This year Rogers Forum will host a minimum of 36 Canucks home games as well as 50 days of concerts and live events. In 2025 the Canucks were recognized for their efforts and achievements with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Tourism Excellence.
While the goal of the Canucks organization is to create a brighter future for their team of NHL prospects, they’re also creating a brighter future for Abbotsford.
Last season, Canucks for Kids raised $2.3 million with that money being used to support local Fraser Valley youth and families. What makes that even more impressive is the fact that the AHL as a whole raised $8 million, once again validating Abbotsford residents’ reputation for generosity. The team also provided 3,500 tickets for games and concerts to local charities.
Following December’s flood, the Canucks donated proceeds from two December home games and gave tickets to families affected by the flooding. This recalls the team’s response to the 2021 flood, when in their inaugural year they donated 50/50 proceeds from select games and the players themselves helped with sandbagging efforts.
Beyond donations and fundraising, Rogers Forum and the Canucks also give back through partnerships and community outreach. The Canucks support local students by offering scholarships and hosting graduation ceremonies, and Rogers Forum supports local vendors by sourcing its food and drink locally, which has resulted in them gaining a reputation among visiting teams and touring acts for high-quality cuisine.
Last season players made 29 community appearances, and the Canucks street team attended 112 events. They also shared the Calder Cup – the AHL’s championship trophy – with the community, taking it to Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Abbotsford Hospice, minor hockey picture days and the Canada Day parade.
Thank you to COO Kozak and the Abbotsford Canucks team for having us and for being a meaningful part of our community. It was remarkable following your amazing 2025 Calder Cup run, and watching the community come together to support the home team. You give us so much to cheer for on and off the ice and we look forward to continuing our partnership and bringing more high-level sports and world-class entertainment to Abbotsford.
Abbotsford City Council