Hockey returns to Lower Mainland, Canucks take on Flames in Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) — Hockey fans in Abbotsford have the chance to catch some NHL preseason action Monday, as the Vancouver Canucks take on the Calgary Flames.

It’s a taste of pro hockey ahead of Vancouver’s farm team, the Abbotsford Canucks, beginning their debut AHL season on Oct. 16.

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun hopes it will provide an economic boost to his city.

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“The arena was built for hockey, and there’s been nobody there for … coming up six, seven years. This is exciting, and I think the Canucks are going to do very well.”

Braun is most hopeful that local businesses get the benefit of having a team play out of Abbotsford Centre on a regular basis.

“It means throughout our community, there’ll be a boost to tourism,” he said. “Some people are coming in from out of town, staying at hotels, motels, restaurants.”

The Abbotsford Heat was the city’s last pro hockey team in 2014, but Braun is hopeful the relationship with the Canucks will be a long one.

“The economic boost will be evident in our service sector, which is a sector that is hurting the most through the pandemic.”