Canucks Camp Cuts: Why Jett Woo and Guillaume Brisebois Were Placed on Waivers

As the Vancouver Canucks gear up for the upcoming NHL season, they are faced with the challenging task of trimming their extensive roster of 48 players down to the mandatory 23 by October 7. With the clock ticking—less than two weeks remain—head coach Rick Tocchet and management are diving into cuts, beginning with Jett Woo and Guillaume Brisebois, both of whom have been placed on waivers.

The Jett Woo Factor: Unfinished Business

Jett Woo’s journey has been anything but straightforward. Just a few seasons ago, it looked as though his promising NHL career had hit a snag. After an impressive junior league stint, Woo struggled in his first two years with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, recording only 13 points in 70 games. There were even instances where he found himself on the sidelines, watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.

However, Woo has turned things around over the last two seasons, significantly improving his game. Last season, he flourished with 31 points in 62 games and was even called up to the NHL when injuries struck the lineup. But despite his progress, the logjam on the right side of the Canucks’ defense presents a significant hurdle.

The presence of established players like Filip Hronek, Tyler Myers, and Vincent Desharnais, along with potential reinforcements Noah Juulsen and Mark Friedman, means opportunities for Woo are limited. While he demonstrated promise during this year’s training camp, showing offensive confidence but occasional defensive lapses, he faces stiff competition, especially from fellow prospect Cole McWard.

Guillaume Brisebois: A Season of Redemption

Guillaume Brisebois's tenure with the Canucks has been marked by resilience. The only player with a longer affiliation with the franchise than him is Brock Boeser, as both were drafted in 2015. Yet, Brisebois's NHL experience has been minimal, racking up only 27 games, with his breakthrough moment occurring last season when he finally scored his first NHL goal.

Unfortunately, a pre-season injury from a hit by Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken derailed Brisebois's momentum, sidelining him with what was suspected to be post-concussion syndrome. After a challenging recovery, which saw him miss the entire playoffs despite playing a handful of AHL games, he now seems to be on the mend. His focus remains on regaining full health rather than just fighting for a roster spot, illustrating both his dedication to the game and his well-respected status within the organization.

Looking Ahead: The Remaining Roster

Following these cuts, the Canucks still boast a robust roster featuring 26 forwards, 17 defensemen, and 5 goaltenders. As the team prepares for the season, they will still have to navigate injuries, including those affecting Teddy Blueger and Dakota Joshua.

Here's a glimpse into how the Canucks' rosters currently shape up:

**Forwards:**

- Danton Heinen - J.T. Miller - Brock Boeser

- Jake DeBrusk - Elias Pettersson - Jonathan Lekkerimäki

- Nils Höglander - Aatu Raty - Conor Garland

- Arshdeep Bains - Pius Suter - Daniel Sprong

- Phil Di Giuseppe - Max Sasson - Kiefer Sherwood

- Sammy Blais - Nils Åman - Linus Karlsson

- Vilmer Alriksson - Nate Smith - Danila Klimovich

- Tristen Nielsen - Ty Mueller - Chase Wouters

**Defensemen:**

- Quinn Hughes - Filip Hronek

- Carson Soucy - Vincent Desharnais

- Christian Wolanin - Tyler Myers

- Derek Forbort - Mark Friedman

- Sawyer Mynio - Noah Juulsen

- Elias Pettersson - Kirill Kudryavtsev

- Akito Hirose

- Christian Felton

**Injured Reserve:**

- Cole McWard

**Goaltenders:**

- Arturs Silovs

- Nikita Tolopilo

- Jiri Patera

- Ty Young

With critical decisions on the horizon, Canucks' fans are eagerly awaiting the final roster announcement. Will Jett Woo find his way back to the NHL, or will Guillaume Brisebois make a significant comeback? Stay tuned!