An improved skating stride could allow Raty to stick in The Show, especially not being waiver exempt and likely being lost on a claim if reassigned to the AHL<\/p>\n
Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Sign Up <\/p>\n
Published Sep 16, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 9\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n No matter the profession, timing is everything.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And when preparation meets opportunity, goals are within reach, especially for Vancouver Canucks<\/a> prospect centre Aatu R\u00e4ty.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n His ongoing quest to solidify a roster spot is augmented by a solid 2024-25 season split between the NHL and AHL, dominance in the faceoff circle, and feisty nature on the forecheck as an unflappable 22-year-old Finn.<\/p>\n The Canucks went searching in the off-season to add a support centre after trading J.T. Miller<\/a> to the New York Rangers and Pius Suter<\/a> joining the St. Louis Blues in free agency. They chased Marco Rossi, who re-signed with the Minnesota Wild, kicked the tires on unrestricted free agent Jack Roslovic, and didn\u2019t have the assets to take a serious run at trying to pry Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It has left the Canucks with Elias Pettersson<\/a>, Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger<\/a> and R\u00e4ty to man the middle. They could still add a pivot, but for now, this is how it could play out. And for the 6-foot-2, 190-pound R\u00e4ty, it could be his ticket to getting a leg up being a roster mainstay.<\/p>\n His 40 points (17-23) in 43 games with the Calder Cup champions in Abbotsford, and 11 points (7-4) in 33 NHL games, included owning the faceoff circle. He had a 57.4 efficiency rate in the NHL \u2014 second only to Miller, who went 58.6 per cent before being traded \u2014 which bodes well for R\u00e4ty to take defensive-zone draws at even strength and the penalty kill as a third- or fourth-liner.<\/p>\n However, an improved skating stride could really allow R\u00e4ty to stick in The Show this season, especially not being waiver exempt and likely being lost on a claim if reassigned to the AHL.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cGuys are good skaters in relation to their body weight, and for me, it\u2019s getting stronger, and I\u2019ve really worked on my technique,\u201d R\u00e4ty said Tuesday following a UBC skate. \u201cOnce you do that, you can really use your strength and engage in every drill and have a lot of explosiveness in those first few steps.<\/p>\n \u201cI had some trouble when I was younger with having a skating coach who had 20 players. I could never get enough feedback. I needed to focus on a couple of things and make sure they got better. That\u2019s why I can say my skating has honestly got better.\u201d<\/p>\n R\u00e4ty has never lacked confidence, but it\u2019s higher now because of a solid season, healing a nagging quad injury that limited him to six AHL playoff games, and simply maturing.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not something you really think about in how I\u2019m going to grow, you just go about it every day,\u201d added R\u00e4ty. \u201cAnd even then, it might be hard to see, because you\u2019re just chipping away at small pieces. But it was a good year. I learned a lot and got better, and I feel really comfortable coming into this camp.\u201d<\/p>\n A year ago, R\u00e4ty served pre-season notice to show that his game was on the rise.<\/p>\n He won 14 of 18 faceoffs against the Seattle Kraken in a Sept. 24 pre-season test, and three nights later in Calgary, looked like a wily veteran by finishing off a third-period scoring chance with a deft toe drag in the slot and picking the top corner.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to have the same mindset as last camp,\u201d stressed R\u00e4ty. \u201cWanting to prove a lot, but not thinking about it when you go to make a pass. You want to put pressure on yourself, but it\u2019s going through your routine every day. I don\u2019t put too much thought into it because I\u2019ve put the work in. I\u2019ve done the process, now it\u2019s time to go and show it.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIn that regard, I\u2019m not nervous at all. I know I\u2019ve done every step right and am as ready as I can be for my age. So many players are good enough to play in the NHL, but aren\u2019t here. I definitely think the games I played last year showed I\u2019m good enough. A year older, a year better. I\u2019m ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Blueger saw enough of R\u00e4ty last season to be suitably impressed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe very good in the faceoff circle for being younger. He\u2019s good defensively at protecting the puck around the net and getting to rebounds and deflections,\u201d Blueger said Tuesday. \u201cAnd he brings a certain element of grit to his game and has good character.\u201d<\/p>\n And maybe a new penalty kill partner for Blueger to replace Suter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see how that plays out,\u201d he said. \u201cWe left off on a pretty good note last year (third overall at 82.6 per cent efficiency) and this year will be a different challenge. We\u2019ll see what kind of adjustments we have to make. Power plays will make adjustments.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cEvery team has world-class guys who will make you pay for any tiny mistake. It will be interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n Canucks head coach Adam Foote ran the defence and PK last season, and Blueger believes his level of preparation and communication will be a major benefit to running his first NHL bench.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, a really good guy and he\u2019s willing to listen on the PK with what we\u2019re trying to do,\u201d added Blueger. \u201cHe\u2019s very respective to feedback, which is very helpful. Guys are comfortable going up to him and clarifying and not feeling like they\u2019re walking on eggshells and that you might piss him off.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a good attitude, but he\u2019s going to be hard on us, and rightfully so. He has high expectations and has done it all. Guys have a lot of respect for that.\u201d<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks: How Nils Hoglander can take aim at a season of scoring redemption<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2207093750_294644266.jpg\")
Aatu R\u00e4ty celebrates a goal against the New York Islanders in March. Photo by Bruce Bennett \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.5.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"Canucks](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.5.1\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-vs-canucksReport.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2183403935_289722727.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks centre Aatu R\u00e4ty pushes off Ducks forward Olen Zellweger on Nov. 5, 2024 at Anaheim, Calif. Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/png1008-canucks_289182956.jpg\")
Centre Aatu R\u00e4ty gets instruction from assistant coach Adam Foote during Canucks practice in 2024. Photo by Arlen Redekop \/PNG<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1812632111.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"J.T.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2193347335.jpg\")
<\/p>\n