Ty Young Takes Center Stage: Canucks Goalie Prospect Surprises Fans with Reality TV Cameo During Busy Offseason
Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect Ty Young continues to make waves—not just on the ice, but now also on Canadian television. In a twist that caught many fans off guard, Young recently appeared on a nationally broadcasted episode of The Amazing Race Canada, adding a fun and unexpected layer to what’s already been a whirlwind offseason for the young netminder.
The 21-year-old goaltender wrapped up his first full professional season in 2024–25 with a solid showing, splitting time between the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL and the Kalamazoo Wings in the ECHL. His performance across both leagues earned him praise for his steady development and growing poise between the pipes.
Now, with the Vancouver Canucks having traded goalie Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month, an opportunity has opened up for Young to cement himself as a full-time presence in the AHL. The move clears the path for Young to share goaltending duties in Abbotsford with fellow prospect Nikita Tolopilo, a duo that the Canucks organization is hopeful can help push the team back to the Calder Cup Final next spring.
While his professional trajectory is clearly on the rise, it was Young’s recent television appearance that stole the spotlight this week. In an episode of The Amazing Race Canada—now in its 11th season—the competition stopped in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and made a visit to the Abbotsford Centre, the home arena of the AHL Canucks. The episode aired nationwide and showcased teams competing in a shootout challenge inside the arena.
In a fun twist, Ty Young was cast in the role of the on-ice “referee” for the segment, complete with a short speaking role that delighted fans tuning in. At the end of the shootout competition, Young handed off the next clue to the victorious team, delivering the line: “Here’s your next clue, congratulations.”
It was a short but memorable appearance that instantly lit up social media, especially among Canucks fans who were thrilled to see one of their prospects in the limelight in such an unexpected setting. X user @scott_spitters shared the clip online with the humorous caption: “If Ty Young doesn’t make it as a goalie (He will 100% make it), there’s a career in Television for him. #canucks”
Hosted by Jon Montgomery, the Olympic gold medalist whose 2010 celebration in Vancouver became legendary, The Amazing Race Canada pits teams of two against each other in cross-country challenges, all competing for a grand prize of $250,000 CAD. The show remains one of the country’s most popular reality series and has a long history of showcasing Canadian culture, landmarks, and talent.
Young’s appearance fits right into that narrative, as he not only represents the next generation of Canucks goaltenders but also plays a central role in the hockey scene in Abbotsford. His involvement with the show was likely a collaborative promotional effort, blending sports and entertainment in a way that benefits both the AHL Canucks and the show itself.
It’s not every day that a professional hockey player finds themselves on the set of a reality TV show, let alone serving as an active participant in one of the challenges. But for Young, the experience seemed to come naturally. Despite the limited screen time, fans and observers noted his ease and charm on camera, sparking lighthearted speculation about his potential future in media once his playing days are over.
More importantly, though, Young is staying focused on the game. With training camp just around the corner in mid-September, expectations are high for the Dawson Creek, B.C. native. As one of the top goaltending prospects in the Canucks system, he will have a real opportunity to claim the starter’s crease in Abbotsford and continue his upward climb toward the NHL.
The Canucks organization has invested considerable time and resources into developing their young netminders, and with Silovs now out of the picture, the pressure is on Ty Young to show he’s ready for the next step. His strong work ethic, growing experience, and ability to rise to challenges—whether on the ice or in front of a camera—are all part of why fans and team officials are optimistic about his future.
It’s been an eventful summer for the young goalie: a solid rookie season in pro hockey, a significant change in the Canucks goaltending hierarchy, and now, a surprise cameo on national television. Yet through it all, Young has handled the attention with composure and good humor.
Fans will be eager to see how this exposure—and the confidence boost that may come with it—translates into his play come the fall. The AHL Canucks will need solid goaltending if they hope to replicate or exceed their playoff performance from the past year, and Ty Young is expected to be a big part of that mission.
While his reality TV moment was brief, it served as a reminder of how sports figures can connect with the public in different ways, outside of the usual game-day settings. It also highlighted the growing popularity and community integration of the Abbotsford Canucks, who continue to build local and national recognition.
As the countdown to training camp begins, all eyes will be back on the ice. But for Ty Young, his quick brush with television fame may have added a touch of fun and intrigue to what’s already shaping up to be a pivotal season in his young career.
Whether stopping pucks or delivering clues on screen, Young has shown he’s comfortable in the spotlight. And for Canucks fans watching his development closely, that’s an encouraging sign.
