The Abbotsford Canucks have signed a pair of Zach's to one-year American Hockey League contracts.
The club announced the additions of forward Zach Okabe and defenceman Zach Berzolla on Wednesday (Aug. 14).
Okabe has spent the last five seasons with the Minnesota-based St. Cloud State Huskies hockey program and collected 24 points in 38 games last season. He signed with the Cleveland Monsters at the end of his time with the Huskies and recorded three points in nine games as a professional.
Okabe's 2022-23 season was his most productive in college and he scored 36 points in 41 games. He helped the Huskies win a conference championship in 2023 and was named a NCHC tournament all-star. He went on to serve as an assistant captain in his final season at St. Cloud State.
The 23-year-old played junior hockey with the AJHL's Grand Prairie Storm and was named the AJHL's rookie of the year in 2017-18. Okabe has a unique background, as he was born in Japan and learned how to play hockey in Australia.
The 26-year-old Berzolla is coming off a season in which he won the ECHL's Kelly Cup as a member of the Florida Everblades.
Berzolla also spent time with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack and the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones in 2023-24. He has appeared in 29 career AHL games over four seasons and has suited up for Hartford and the Rochester Americans. Berzolla has collected three points and 26 penalty minutes in the AHL.
The 2022-23 ECHL season was his most productive as a pro, as he recorded 25 points in 56 games with the Cyclones. He has posted 54 points in 135 games in the ECHL with Cincinnati, Florida and the Jacksonville Icemen.
He played in the NCAA with the Colorado College Tigers and served as both an assistant and team captain for the Colorado Springs-based school. The New Jersey product played junior hockey with the Mukegeon Lumberjacks of the USHL.
The Abbotsford Canucks open the AHL regular season in Calgary against the Wranglers on Oct. 11 and then host the San Diego Gulls for the Abbotsford Centre home opener on Oct. 25.
