We are back with the 2025 summer edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.
Today, we present to you our 13th-ranked player in the system, a sharpshooting winger who plays with an edge but continues to struggle with consistency.
Our previously ranked prospects:
- #20 – Ilya Safonov
- #19 – Aku Koskenvuo
- #18 – Parker Alcos
- #17 – Wilson Björck
- #16 – Anri Ravinskis
- #15 – Josh Bloom
- #14 – Kieren Dervin
If you’re curious about our ranking criteria, you can find them in our HM installment.
Danila Klimovich
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 22 | Position: Right Wing | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 203 lbs | Shoots: Right | Drafted: Round two, 41 overall, 2021 | Mid-season rank: 14
What a difference a year can make.
With four years of Abbotsford hockey now under his belt, the 6-foot-2, 203-pound right-shot forward enjoys a slight turnaround to revitalize his prospect status with a breakout 2024-25 season.
Previously on a downward trajectory due to limited minutes, he thrived with a larger role under new Head Coach Manny Malhotra, posting career highs across the board: 25 goals, 13 assists, and 38 points in 66 games, along with 178 shots and 59 penalty minutes.
His 14% shooting percentage was another personal best, and he led the team in goals, power-play tallies, and shots. His impact extended to the playoffs, where he scored four goals while dressing in 16 of Abbotsford’s 24 Calder Cup games, including three game-winners, two in double overtime.
These clutch performances, particularly in high-stakes moments, place a direct spotlight on his ability to deliver when given the opportunity, which has played a significant role in hindering his development over the last few years. However, fighting for a spot in and out of the lineup reflects his ongoing challenges in earning consistent trust from coaches—a hurdle he continues to face, regardless of the coach behind the bench.
When at his best, however, Klimovich’s pure scoring ability is what sets him apart from the pack. His potent snapshot combines power and precision, making him a constant threat both off the rush and from his office on the half-wall.
He has improved his skating, moving more fluidly for a player of his size, and his discipline has also progressed, but it remains a work in progress.
Using his 203-pound frame to battle for position and capitalize on rebounds. When he’s playing to his abilities, he’s engaged on the forecheck and doesn’t shy away from taking the body.
He’s just not always dialled in.
Consistency remains his biggest obstacle, and knowing which version you will get on a night-to-night basis can be challenging to predict. While he has shown he can dominate in stretches, lapses in decision-making and defensive play have kept him out of the lineup as he goes long stints without contributing to the team’s success.
It’s a classic tale of “when he’s on, it’s great.”
With all the changes in development in the world of hockey, it’s hard not to daydream about what could have been had he not been rushed into the American League fresh out of his 2021 draft.
Ceiling: Klimovich’s ceiling is that of a second-line NHL winger and power-play specialist, leveraging his elite shot and physical presence to contribute offence. Questions about his defensive reliability and consistency temper expectations, but his ability to score at any level is undeniable.
Floor: With one year remaining on his deal, it will be interesting to see what direction the club heads with him as a draft pick courtesy of the former regime. If he doesn’t get a sniff in the 2025-26 campaign, could he be a candidate to bolt and become a threat at the KHL level? That’s certainly a reality and where his floor likely stands.
ETA: At 22, he’s still young for a prospect with his experience, and his recent progress offers hope. A strong start to the 2025-26 season in Abbotsford could force the Canucks’ hand, potentially leading to his first NHL call-up. More realistically, he’ll need another whole AHL campaign to refine his two-way game, targeting a consistent NHL role, if ever, by 2026-27.
That’s our #13 spot. Stay tuned for another installment tomorrow here at CanucksArm
