Canucks sign Patterson, Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts
The Vancouver Canucks have signed center Riley Patterson and right winger Gabriel Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts, General Manager Patrik Allvin announced on Monday.
Both players were also released from the Canucks’ initial 59-player preseason roster and will return to their respective OHL teams to start the 2025-26 season.
Patterson signed with the Canucks following an impressive rookie camp, following two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts. The 19-year-old posted 25 goals and 59 points in 2024-25, and went on to score six goals and 12 points through 16 OHL playoff games.
Initially selected 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Patterson has amassed 132 games with the Colts, totalling 54 goals and 121 points, with a playoff total of eight goals and 15 points in 22 postseason contests.
However, he will join the Niagara Ice Dogs to start the 2025-26 season.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki opens up the scoring!
Riley Patterson and Tom Willander grab the assists. pic.twitter.com/0b21QBuEB0
Meanwhile, Chiarot also signed from the OHL, having played 66 games with the Brampton Steelheads in the 2024-25 season, during which he scored 21 goals and 35 points. His output brought his OHL totals to 26 goals and 45 points through 114 games, earning the eye of the Canucks, who selected him with the 175th overall selection in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
“Over the past couple of weeks, we have been impressed by a number of our young players at both the showcase in Seattle and at Training Camp in Penticton,” said Allvin.
“We are happy to sign two of them, Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot. Riley is a right-shot centre prospect who has made strides working with our development group the past couple of years, while Gabriel has good drive, work ethic, and tenacity, and also has a nose for the net.”
The Canucks opened the 2025 NHL preseason on Sunday with a 5-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken, and will play five more preseason games before opening the 2025-26 NHL regular season on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames.