Vancouver Canucks sign forward Ilya Safonov to one-year, two-way contract

Russia's Maxim Groshev (28), Ilya Safonov (24) and Roman Bychkov (7) celebrate a goal against the Finland during first period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game action in Edmonton on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Ilya Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract, the NHL club announced Tuesday.

Safonov, 24, played 68 games for Ak Bars Kazan in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League this season, recording 33 points, 43 penalty minutes, and a rating of plus-18.

He added nine points in 20 post-season games, helping Kazan reach the Gagarin Cup Final.

Safonov has 128 points and appeared in 331 KHL games with Kazan.

The Moscow-born forward represented Russia at the 2017 Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2021 world junior championship.

Safonov was drafted in the sixth round, 172nd overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2021 NHL draft. The Canucks acquired Safonov’s rights from Chicago in a June 28, 2025, trade in exchange for future considerations.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2026.