Danila Klimovich Bio
Danila Vitalevich Klimovich (born 9 January 2003) is a Belarusian ice hockey centre who plays for the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League, while remaining under contract with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. A right-shooting forward listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 187 pounds, he began his professional career in 2019 and rose through the Belarusian ranks before being chosen 41st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has also represented Belarus on the international stage, including at the senior World Championships.
Early Life and Background
Danila Vitalevich Klimovich was born on 9 January 2003 in Pinsk, Belarus, a city in the southwestern region of the country with a strong local sporting culture. He grew up in a Belarusian household and was introduced to ice hockey at a young age, developing his skills on rinks in his home country before reaching the junior level. The Belarusian hockey system, known for producing technically sound skaters, provided the foundation for his early training and competitive experience.
As a teenager, Klimovich progressed through local youth programs and quickly established himself as a forward to watch. His combination of size, skating, and offensive instincts drew attention from scouts well before he was draft-eligible, and he represented Belarus in age-group international tournaments. By the time he was a late teenager, he had already gained exposure to senior-level competition in his home country.
Path to Hockey
Klimovich’s path to professional hockey began in his native Belarus, where he entered the country’s professional system at a young age. In 2020, he was selected by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at the CHL Import Draft, signalling early interest from North American teams. He planned to move to Canada for the 2020–21 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the transition.
Instead, Klimovich spent most of 2020–21 with Minskie Zubry of the Vysshaya Liga, the second-tier league in Belarus, recording 52 points in 37 games. He also appeared in six games with Dinamo Molodechno of the Belarusian Extraleague, scoring one goal. Heading into the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked him as the 19th-best European-based skater.
Danila Klimovich Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Klimovich’s earliest professional seasons were spent entirely in Belarus. He began his career in 2019 and split time between developmental and top-flight programs, gaining experience against older opponents. His production with Minskie Zubry during the 2020–21 season, combined with his brief Extraleague appearances for Dinamo Molodechno, marked him as a top prospect in his home country.
During this period, Klimovich was described by scouts as a big, two-way centre who could use both his body and skill to make plays. He was listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 202 pounds at the time of the 2021 NHL Draft, and his combination of physicality and offensive upside made him an intriguing selection for teams in the middle of the draft order.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–Present)
Klimovich was selected 41st overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and signed his entry-level contract with the club on 28 July 2021. Shortly after signing, he moved to North America and was assigned to the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. During the 2021–22 season, he was the youngest player in the AHL, recording 8 goals and 18 assists in 63 games, though he did not appear in any of the team’s playoff contests that year.
On 23 June 2025, Klimovich won the Calder Cup as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks, capturing the AHL championship and marking the most significant achievement of his young professional career. He remains under contract with the Vancouver Canucks and continues to develop within the organization’s system, working toward an eventual full-time role at the NHL level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Klimovich is recognized as a big, physical centre who can contribute on both the power play and the penalty kill. He uses his 6-foot-1 frame to protect the puck, win board battles, and create space for linemates, while his right-handed shot adds versatility to his offensive game. His combination of size, two-way responsibility, and playmaking instincts has been central to his development path.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable milestones of his career are his selection 41st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, his record as the youngest player in the AHL during the 2021–22 season, and his Calder Cup championship with the Abbotsford Canucks on 23 June 2025. His hat-trick against Switzerland at the 2021 World U18 Championships also stands out as an early international highlight.
Danila Klimovich Career Wins
Danila Vitalevich Klimovich’s most prominent team achievement to date is the Calder Cup, won with the Abbotsford Canucks in 2025. He is still in the early stages of his professional career, and his trophy cabinet is expected to grow as he continues to develop within the Vancouver Canucks organization.
Abbotsford Canucks Highlights
Klimovich joined the Abbotsford Canucks for the 2021–22 season and was an immediate contributor, posting 8 goals and 18 assists in 63 games. The crowning achievement of his time in the AHL came on 23 June 2025, when he helped the Abbotsford Canucks win the Calder Cup. He has continued to feature prominently for the club as a key depth centre for Vancouver’s top affiliate.
Danila Klimovich Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Danila Vitalevich Klimovich’s parents and family background are not widely documented in public sources. He was raised in Pinsk, Belarus, and developed his hockey skills within the country’s youth system before pursuing a professional career abroad.
Personal Life
Danila Vitalevich Klimovich married Nastassia Bartsevich on 10 April 2022 in Cultus Lake, British Columbia. The couple resides in the Vancouver area while Klimovich continues his professional career in the Canucks organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the most successful campaign of Danila Vitalevich Klimovich’s career to date. Serving as a key centre for the Abbotsford Canucks, he played an important role in the team’s run through the AHL playoffs, contributing at both ends of the ice with his blend of size, skill, and two-way play.
The defining moment of his 2025 season came on 23 June 2025, when Klimovich and the Abbotsford Canucks won the Calder Cup, the AHL’s championship trophy. The victory capped a strong developmental season and reinforced his standing as one of the top forward prospects in the Vancouver Canucks system.
Looking ahead, Klimovich remains under contract with the Vancouver Canucks and is expected to continue developing with the Abbotsford Canucks while pushing for a more permanent role at the NHL level. His Calder Cup experience and continued progression suggest he will be a player to watch within the organization in the seasons to come.