As the Vancouver Canucks lean into their rebuild, the roster is beginning to look vastly different. The latest addition to the pipeline arrived on March 5, when general manager (GM) Patrik Allvin sent defenceman Jett Woo to the San Jose Sharks in a one-for-one swap for Jack Thompson.
Related: Canucks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Trade Deadline, Blueger, Thompson Shines in Abbotsford & More
In our latest edition of the “Meet the New Canucks” series, we take a deep dive into the 23-year-old right-shot defenceman who has already begun turning heads in Abbotsford and appears poised for a quick promotion to the big club.
Jack Thompson’s Hockey Journey
Thompson’s hockey journey began in Courtice, Ontario, where he developed into a standout for the Clarington Toros. His rise through the ranks was steady and impressive; by the time he reached the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Sudbury Wolves, he was a cornerstone of the franchise, eventually earning the captain’s “C.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning saw the potential early, selecting him in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. However, like many prospects of his vintage, Thompson had to navigate the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the OHL shuttered, he made the bold decision to move to Sweden, playing for Surahammars IF in Division 1. That European stint added a layer of professional polish to his game, which paid dividends when he returned to North America to help lead Canada to a gold medal at the 2022 World Junior Championship.
After turning pro, Thompson quickly became an American Hockey League (AHL) standout with the Syracuse Crunch, earning an All-Star nod in 2024. His road eventually led to a brief NHL debut in Tampa and a subsequent trade to San Jose, where he played 31 games last season. Now on his third NHL organization, Thompson arrives in Vancouver as a player who has already graduated from the prospect phase and is looking to cement himself as a full-time big-leaguer.
Scouting Report: A Modern Puck-Mover with a “Cannon”
If you’re a fan of mobile, offensive-minded defensemen, you’re going to enjoy watching Thompson. As noted in a previous The Hockey Writers prospect profile:
“A strong skater with impressive mobility, Thompson utilizes his speed to get himself out of trouble in the defensive zone and transition into offense up ice… His slap shot was an important weapon on the power play. He possesses a hard and accurate shot that is even more effective on a one-timer.”
Neutral Zone scout Ian Moran described Thompson in his draft year as a “great skating two-way defender,” specifically highlighting his ability to evade forecheckers and generate clean passing lanes. He’s the type of player who can facilitate a zone exit with his feet or a crisp first pass, something the Canucks’ back end has lacked consistently this season.
However, like most 23-year-old defenders, his game isn’t without warts. Scouts have noted that his defensive positioning can occasionally wander, and his decision-making under pressure sometimes leads to turnovers. The silver lining is that his elite skating usually allows him to recover from those “young player” mistakes.
While Thompson’s final months in the Sharks organization were quiet — recording just 12 points in 42 games for the Barracuda — the trade to Vancouver seems to have flipped a switch. Thompson didn’t just join the Abbotsford Canucks; he took them over.
In his first two games in the green and blue, Thompson exploded for five points. The highlight was a dominant one-goal, two-assist performance in a 4-0 shutout of the Colorado Eagles. That kind of immediate production suggests a player who is highly motivated by a fresh start.
His performance in the Valley has already caught the attention of the parent club’s brass. In Abbotsford, Thompson is being used in all situations, allowing him to regain the offensive confidence that made him a high-end producer in the Lightning system.
Future Fit in Vancouver
The path for Thompson to see NHL minutes isn’t just open; it’s a four-lane highway. Following the trade of Tyler Myers to the Dallas Stars and injuries to veterans like Derek Forbort, the Canucks’ right side is incredibly thin.
Currently, Thompson sits at the top of the call-up list. He is expected to leapfrog other depth options due to his prior NHL experience and superior offensive upside. Down the stretch, expect the Canucks to give Thompson an extended look on the third pairing and potentially some secondary power-play time – especially if he keeps dominating in Abbotsford.
Long-term, Thompson slots in as a potential piece of the youth movement on defence. While Filip Hronek remains the undisputed top-pairing righty, Thompson will compete for minutes with prospects like Tom Willander and Victor Mancini. If he can maintain the offensive flair he’s shown in Abbotsford while sharpening his defensive consistency, the Canucks may have found a long-term solution for their middle-pairing needs.
As Allvin noted upon the trade: “Bringing in Jack will add to our organizational depth on the blue line.” In a rebuild, depth is the foundation, and Thompson looks ready to build.
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