Canucks' Newfound Scrappiness Signals Shift in Team Culture

Recent spate of fights shows a team coming together and sticking up for each other as the rebuild continues.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic motion and energy of a hockey fight, with sharp planes of navy blue, green, and white representing the players and the ice.The Canucks' newfound team unity and willingness to defend one another is a promising sign for the franchise's future, even as the rebuild continues.Columbus Today

The Vancouver Canucks saw a spike in fights towards the end of the 2025-26 NHL season, with several players dropping the gloves for the first time. This sudden increase in pugilism is seen as a positive sign, indicating an improved team culture and a willingness to stand up for one another as the franchise continues its rebuild.

Why it matters

The Canucks' new-found aggression and team-first mentality is an encouraging sign for the future, as the organization looks to build a competitive roster around its young core. Maintaining this level of buy-in and camaraderie will be crucial as the team weathers more growing pains in the seasons to come.

The details

Over the final four weeks of the season, the Canucks were involved in eight fights, including first NHL scraps for several young players like Zeev Buium, Elias Pettersson, Drew O'Connor, and Filip Hronek. This surge in physicality was largely credited to the arrival of forward Curtis Douglas, who was claimed off waivers in March. Douglas' imposing 6'9" frame seemed to embolden his linemates to play with more edge and determination.

  • The Canucks had 15 fights total in the 2025-26 season, with eight of those coming in the final four weeks.
  • Douglas was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 6, 2026.

The players

Curtis Douglas

A 26-year-old forward who was claimed off waivers by the Canucks in March 2026. His physical presence is credited with helping inspire a shift in the team's overall aggression and willingness to stand up for each other.

Zeev Buium

A 20-year-old rookie defenseman who was one of the first Canucks players to drop the gloves, kicking off the team's recent run of fights. He is seen as an emerging leader on the team.

Elias Pettersson

The Canucks' young star forward, who got into his first NHL fight late in the season to defend a teammate.

Drew O'Connor

A Canucks forward who also had his first NHL fight in the team's final game of the season, again standing up for a teammate.

Filip Hronek

A Canucks defenseman who got into his first fight in six years during the team's late-season surge of physicality.

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What they’re saying

“You can tell it's changed. I think just by the way we play, we've really come together off the ice and got to know each other and care about each other...All of us are really starting to come together and starting to move forward and not track back. And hopefully we can just carry that in the next game and next year.”

— Zeev Buium, Canucks Defenseman

What’s next

The Canucks will need to re-sign or replace forward Curtis Douglas, who was a key catalyst for the team's increased physicality. Maintaining the improved team culture and camaraderie will also be crucial as the organization continues its rebuild.

The takeaway

The Canucks' late-season surge of fights and willingness to stick up for one another is an encouraging sign that the team's culture is heading in the right direction, even if the on-ice results haven't yet matched that progress. Developing young leaders like Zeev Buium will be key as the franchise looks to build a competitive roster around its core.