​The Vancouver Canucks’ 2026 development camp marked a familiar return for Austin Brimmer to Abbotsford, but it also offered him a new chance to fully take in the beauty of British Columbia. The 25-year-old winger, who turns 25 in October, was one of six players invited to Vancouver’s development camp this year. Although he entered the camp with the invitee designation, Brimmer is already an official member of the Canucks organization, having signed a pro tryout and a one-year contract with the Abbotsford Canucks as a free agent.
“It was actually a really quick turnaround,” Brimmer shared with The Hockey News on the final day of development camp. “I was at Rochester Institute of Technology and had a great season there, but we unfortunately didn’t advance in the playoffs, losing back-to-back overtime games in Boston on Saturday. On Sunday we drove back to Rochester, and by Monday I had my plane ticket booked to come out to Abbotsford. So I got on the plane, landed Tuesday night, and then Wednesday I played my first pro game.” He described the transition as lightning-fast but incredibly rewarding, calling the experience “an awesome one.”
Brimmer logged 13 games with Abbotsford toward the end of the AHL regular season, during which he earned his first professional-league point with an assist on Jayden Grubbe’s goal against the Henderson Silver Knights on March 15. Although the time was brief, those 13 appearances are, for Brimmer, a meaningful foundation for his approach to the upcoming full professional season. He emphasized that the stint offered a clear picture of what it takes to succeed at the next level and highlighted specific areas of his game that he plans to refine over the off-season to become a more impactful player. He sees the experience as crucial to his development and feels fortunate for the opportunity it provided.
Given the limited window to settle in with the AHL Canucks, Brimmer didn’t have much chance to explore his surroundings. That’s why the development camp’s opening activity—river rafting—was particularly welcome. “It was a great way to break the ice, to get to know all the guys, and to be put in a boat with teammates you’ve never met before. You’re kind of forced to communicate, have fun, and, in the process, you get to see British Columbia in its beautiful form,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to see how stunning BC really is.”
Overall, the week focused on learning, connecting, and developing, leaving Brimmer with plenty to reflect on as he prepares to return to Abbotsford for the 2026–27 season. He’s looking forward to continuing his progression with the Canucks organization and aims to carry the lessons from camp into a productive campaign next year.