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With the dust of Abbotsford's playoff efforts settled, it is time to close the door on the Canucks' Inaugural Season in the AHL. However before the calendar flips to 2022/23, how about a trip down memory lane? In collaboration with our "Goalie Week", two more articles will be added to this series throughout this week.

Following our last piece  piece re-visiting the Abbotsford Canucks' nine game win streak in April [AVAILABLE HERE](https://abbotsford.canucks.com/news/the-best-inaugural-season-moments-april-s-nine-game-win-streak), Joe Murdaca gets today's spotlight.

The middle of January saw the arrival of an unexpected hero for the Abbotsford Canucks. With Spencer Martin, Michael DiPietro and Arturs Silovs all unavailable due to injuries and being recalled to Vancouver, the team looked elsewhere for help between the pipes.

Enter Joe Murdaca.

A six-foot-three goaltender who had bounced around the ECHL was set to make his professional debut in the AHL. He was signed to a Player Tryout Option on January 17th, expecting to back up Silovs for the time being. However due to illness, he was thrust into the spotlight. His opponent? The San Diego Gulls in a weekend series with back-to-back games at the Abbotsford Centre.

Murdaca's longest stint with a team was in 2019-20 with the Knoxville IceBears of the SPHL, going 16-8-2 with a .920 save percentage through 26 games. Abbotsford came into the series having won just two of their previous seven games, and were missing a handful of key players.

Joe Murdaca got the nod moments before puck drop that he would be the starting goaltender. He did all that was asked of him and more.

Stopping 13 of 16 shots on the way to a 5-3 Abbotsford victory, Murdaca picked up his first professional win in his first professional appearance. 

“It felt immaculate to get my first win tonight. The vibes out there were great. It was a team win, only allowing 16 shots on net, the team put out a great effort. It was blocked shots after blocked shots tonight. The guys in front of me really put their bodies on the line tonight and wanted to win. It was a great feeling.” – Joe Murdaca.

24 hours later, Murdaca would be tested again.

The Cinderella story would continue for the Hamilton Ontario native, defeating the Gulls 4-2 in a Sunday matinee game. Stopping 19 of 21 shots, Murdaca improved to 2-0-0 as a professional, earning him the nickname "2 and 0 Joe".

“It feels great to get the win. I’m just trying to give these guys a chance to win every night. It’s all about being in the right position to make the right saves to limit rebounds. The guys in front of me make it a lot easier for me, making sure I can see the puck and making plays. Overall, it was a great team win tonight.” – Joe Murdaca.

Days later, Murdaca would be released from his PTO due to the return of DiPietro and Silovs, and would later return to the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators to help out their playoff run. 2 and 0 Joe would rack up 32 saves and a .865 save percentage in what have been his only two professional starts.

Called upon during the Canucks' time of need, Murdaca stepped up to the plate when it mattered most. 


With Spencer Martin, Michael DiPietro and Arturs Silovs all unavailable, the team looked elsewhere for help between the pipes. Enter Joe Murdaca.

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THE BEST INAUGURAL SEASON MOMENTS: THE JOE MURDACA STORY

**Abbotsford, B.C. –**  The Abbotsford Canucks announced today their home opener and five special home games during the first half of the 2022.23 regular season.


Following up on a successful inaugural season, during which the club clinched their first ever playoff spot, the Canucks will welcome fans back to the Abbotsford Centre for their home opener on Friday, October 28 for the first of a two-game set during their home opening weekend. The team will be looking to match the excitement from last year’s home opener when they defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 3-2 in an overtime thriller before an electric home crowd.


“As part of the AHL scheduling process we are able to work with the league to announce up to six home dates in advance of the full schedule release in July,” said Abbotsford Canucks CEO Rob Mullowney. “These dates were selected to give our fans the opportunity to plan for some of our biggest nights of the season.”


The Canucks will then hold their first theme night of the season on Saturday, October 29 for their highly anticipated Diwali Night in celebration of the diverse culture and vibrant South Asian community. Last season, fans at a packed Abbotsford Centre were treated to a convincing 7-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda, which turned out to be their largest win margin of the season.


On Thursday, November 10, the organization will hold their first Veterans Week game to honour and pay respects to our nation’s veterans from all walks of life, past and present. Then, on Saturday, November 12, the Canucks will host Country Night, which was a fan-favourite last season filled with live performances and fan engagements as the team put together a dominant 6-1 win over the Laval Rocket.


Finally, fans will be treated to a fun-filled weekend from December 3-4 as the Canucks hold their second annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Saturday, December 3 before kicking off the holiday season with local flair of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley on Sunday, December 4 for their Holidays in the Country game.


Opponents for each of these games will be announced when the team’s schedule is released in July. Half-Season, Flex Packs, and the Weekend 5 Pass (Home Opener edition), as well as Group tickets starting at $23, will be available beginning on Monday. Season Ticket Memberships are available now at tickets.abbotsfordcanucks.ca.


**Summary of First Half Special Home Games**


•	Home Opener – Friday, October 28 (Home Opening Weekend)

•	Diwali Night – Saturday, October 29 (Home Opening Weekend)

•	Veterans Week Game – Thursday, November 10

•	Country Night – Saturday, November 12

•	Teddy Bear Toss – Saturday, December 3

•	Holidays in the Country – Sunday, December 4



The Abbotsford Canucks announced today their home opener and five special home games during the first half of the 2022.23 regular season.

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ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS ANNOUNCE 2022.23 HOME OPENER AND FIVE SPECIAL NIGHTS

With the dust of Abbotsford's playoff efforts settled, it is time to close the door on the Canucks' Inaugural Season in the AHL. However before the calendar flips to 2022/23, how about a trip down memory lane? Today marks the final day of our series recapping memorable moments from the team's inaugural campaign in Abbotsford.

Following yesterday's piece re-visiting the Abbotsford Canucks' Women in Sports Night [AVAILABLE HERE,](https://abbotsford.canucks.com/news/the-best-inaugural-season-moments-women-in-sports-night) the team's franchise record nine game win streak get's today's spotlight.

Having gone 7-4-3 over the month of March, Abbotsford was rounding into form at the right time. With the playoffs looming, it seemed clear that Abbotsford would finish above the line and book their ticket to the post-season. However, nobody expected Abbotsford to rattle off nine consecutive wins in their final 11 games.

Kicking off the April win streak was a back to back against the Laval Rocket at home. Taking the games by scores of 6-1 and 3-1, Jack Rathbone put up five points across the two games. Rathbone's slapshot goal late in the second game secured not only the two points, but Abbotsford's spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Up next was Abbotsford's "Fan Appreciation Weekend" a week later, with a pair of games against the San Diego Gulls. This time around it would be Abbotsford's depth who carried them on, winning 6-3 and 5-2. Across the weekend, ten of their eleven goals were scored by a player with nine or fewer goals on the season at that point.

Following that, the team kicked off a four game California road trip in San Jose taking on the Barracuda. Falling behind 2-0 early on, the team rallied back thanks to goals from Justin Dowling, Sheldon Rempal and Devante Stephens to force overtime. Dowling would grab the overtime winner, marking his first multi-goal AHL game since March 2017. 

A short drive out to Bakersfield later, the Canucks were facing the Condors in what would be their sixth consecutive win, tying their franchise record. Facing a 1-0 deficit late in the first, Justin Bailey kicked off the comeback just before the intermission. Matt Alfaro and Chase Wouters added their names to the scoresheet, sealing the deal with a 3-1 victory.

A rematch with the Gulls seemingly followed a recent trend, with Abbotsford falling behind early. Down 4-1 after 40 minutes, Justin Bailey grabbed his second of the night and Sheldon Rempal added his name to the scoresheet, but the clock was ticking. Enter Jack Rathbone. A slapshot from the blue line tied the game up with 25 seconds to go, sending the game into overtime. Justin Bailey would get on the end of a loose rebound in the slot, and shovel home his third of the night, securing a come from behind win, good enough for their seventh consecutive victory.

Yet again, Abbotsford managed to claw their back for victory number eight. This time, it would be against the league leading Stockton Heat, who had had the Canucks' number all year. Down 4-3 in the dying minutes, Justin Dowling grabbed his second of the night, sending the game to overtime yet again. Sheldon Rempal, who already had two assists on the night, let a wrister fly from the left face-off circle to secure the two points for Abbotsford.

After a perfect road trip, Abbotsford returned home for their final home game of the regular season against the Condors. A massive two points were on the line in terms of final seeding within the Pacific Division. Once again, the team rallied back to take the game 4-2 in front of their home fans. Having won nine consecutive games, the team rocketed up the standings over the final few weeks of the season. Picking up 35 of a possible 54 points in the final two months, the team found themselves set to face the Bakersfield Condors in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.




Abbotsford rattled off nine consecutive wins in April, booking their ticket to the playoffs.

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THE BEST INAUGURAL SEASON MOMENTS: APRIL'S NINE GAME WIN STREAK

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Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed major junior free agent defenceman Quinn Schmiemann to a two-year AHL contract through the 2023-24 season. Schmiemann joins Abbotsford from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

Schmiemann, 20, completed his overage major junior season with Kamloops in 2021-22, serving as the team’s captain and leading the Blazers to their third consecutive British Columbia Division title. He also lead the team’s defencemen in goals (14), assists (40), points (54) and penalty minutes (65) and was named to the WHL’s B.C. Division Second All-Star Team. During the 2022 WHL Playoffs, he led all Kamloops players in assists (16) and ranked third in points (18) while skating in all 17 of the club’s postseason games.

The 6-2, 200-pound defenceman skated in 201 regular season games during his major junior career, all of which he played for Kamloops. Schmiemann currently places 12th among all-time Blazers’ defencemen in playoff points per-game (0.87), with the franchise record being held by Vancouver Canucks alumni, Garth Butcher (2.00).

“We are excited to have Quinn join our organization,” said Abbotsford GM Ryan Johnson. “After a great junior career, we feel we are a great fit to help him succeed at the next level. We can’t wait to get to work with him at development camp in a few weeks.” Schmiemann will join current Abbotsford Canucks defenceman Alex Kannok Leipert and many other Canucks prospects at the camp being held at UBC from July 10-15.

A native of Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Schmiemann was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft as the team’s sixth-round pick (182nd overall).

General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed major junior free agent defenceman Quinn Schmiemann to a two-year AHL contract

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CANUCKS SIGN SCHMIEMANN TO TWO-YEAR AHL CONTRACT

**Abbotsford, B.C. -** Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed forward Matt Alfaro to a one-year contract ahead of the 2022-23 season.


“We are pleased to keep Matt in our group moving forward,” stated Johnson. “Matt joined us at a pivotal point and played a role in our success during the second half of the season.”


Alfaro, 25, split his second professional campaign between the American Hockey League and the ECHL, participating on three separate professional try out (PTO) agreements with three different AHL teams in 2021-22. He made his AHL debut for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on November 3 and scored his first AHL goal with the Manitoba Moose on January 19. Alfaro skated in a total of 36 AHL games this past season, recording 12 points (seven goals, five assists) and six penalty minutes between Wilkes-Barre, Manitoba and Abbotsford. While under contract to the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, Alfaro recorded 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 20 regular season games, and achieved ECHL career highs in points per-game (1.00) and penalty minutes (40).


The 6-2, 200-pound centre first joined the Canucks organization on March 23 when he signed a PTO with Abbotsford. He would go on to record seven points (four goals, three assists) in 13 regular season games with the Canucks and skated in both of Abbotsford’s Calder Cup Playoff games. Alfaro was released from his PTO on May 6 to rejoin Wheeling, and recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in three ECHL postseason games.


"Although it wasn’t for very long, I had a great experience with the Canucks at the end of last season," said Alfaro. "I am excited to be retuning in the fall, and to be able to have the opportunity to play a full season in front of the great hockey fans in Abbotsford."


A native of Calgary, Alberta, Alfaro played three seasons in USPORTS for his hometown University of Calgary Dinos from 2017 to 2020. He concluded his collegiate career as a Second Team All-Canadian during the 2019-20 season, leading the Dinos in all major statistical categories. Upon the conclusion of Abbotsford’s inaugural season, Alfaro is currently the only player in franchise history to have scored a goal both for and against the club. He recorded one goal against the Canucks as a member of the Manitoba Moose in Abbotsford’s 5-2 home victory on February 12.


Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed forward Matt Alfaro to a one-year contract.

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CANUCKS SIGN ALFARO TO ONE-YEAR AHL CONTRACT

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Abbotsford Canucks

Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed defenceman Alex Kannok Leipert to a one-year contract extension ahead of the 2022-23 season.


Kannok Leipert, 21, participated in his first professional campaign in 2021-22, spending the entire season with the Canucks. Skating in 41 AHL regular season games, Kannok Leipert lead Abbotsford rookie defencemen in plus-minus, with a rating of +5. He also recorded five points (one goal, four assists) and 32 penalty minutes this past season, and scored the first goal of his AHL career against Lukas Dostal in the Canucks’ 5-2 home victory over San Diego on April 9.


The 6-0, 200-pound defenceman was originally signed to a one-year AHL contract on August 17, 2021. Kannok Leipert was acquired as a free agent after completing his overage major junior campaign with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, where he served as captain for two seasons. His WHL career amassed 219 regular season games and 28 playoff games; all of which he played for the Giants.


“We are excited to keep Alex in the organization.”, said Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson. “He is a player we want to keep building with and is a person that fits to the environment we are building here in Abbotsford.” Johnson also mentioned that he expects Kannok Leipert to attend Vancouver Canucks development camp in July. The development camp, which is being held at UBC from July 10-15, will also include many other of the organization’s young prospects.


Having played his past five seasons of competitive hockey in the Fraser Valley cities of Langley and Abbotsford, Alex described how it was an obvious choice for him to return to the Canucks for another season. “I’m excited to be coming back to Abbotsford,” said Kannok Leipert. “The fans and the organization made my transition to pro very easy. My time in Abbotsford has been better than I ever could have imagined. I’m looking forward to getting back out West and continuing to develop as a player and a person.”


A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Kannok Leipert was originally selected by the Washington Capitals during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft as the team’s sixth-round pick (161st overall). Although he grew up in Saskatchewan, he was born in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, and became the first Thailand-born player in AHL history when he made his professional debut on October 16, 2021 during Abbotsford’s inaugural season opener at Bakersfield. Kannok Leipert holds dual citizenship in both Canada and Thailand, and was also the first player born in Thailand to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

Abbotsford Canucks GM, Ryan Johnson, announced today that the club has signed defenceman Alex Kannok Leipert to a one-year contract extension.

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