The Vancouver Canucks have added a new player to their pool of prospects, acquiring forward Ilya Safonov from the Chicago Blackhawks. The team announced the transaction on Saturday, June 28, 2025, stating that future considerations were sent to Chicago in exchange.
Safonov, a 24-year-old Russian forward, spent the most recent season playing in the KHL for Ak Bars Kazan. In 51 games with the club, he recorded seven goals and 15 assists.
Throughout his KHL career, all spent with Ak Bars Kazan, Safonov has accumulated a total of 49 goals and 46 assists over 263 games.
He was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Neville Woodall 
Duncan Priestley