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Homegrown

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Homegrown

Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports I was watching the Vancouver Canucks try and kill a penalty against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night when I noticed the players Alain Vigneault threw on the ice. The first group included Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows and the second group included Jannik Hansen and Rick Rypien. I then looked at the box score (NHL.com) at the end of the game and noticed the list of goal scorers – Hansen, Kesler, Burrows and Mason Raymond. And I got to thinking… Since when did we have the Manitoba Moose on our roster? In fact, the...

New Canucks 3rd jersey leaked?

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New Canucks 3rd jersey leaked?

Photo credit: icethetics.blogspot.com John sent me a link to Icethetics, who apparently has a leaked version of the Canucks third jersey the team was planning on unveiling on November 15th. It was never a secret that the team wanted to bring back the vintage stick-and-rink logo – Chris Zimmerman has said as much at the past couple of State of the Franchise events – and this jersey certainly fits what’s been said all along. Personally, I’ve always liked this logo though I admit that it looks a little awkward from this angle. Plus, there’s already chatter that the Johnny Canuck...

A touching tribute

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A touching tribute

Last night’s ceremony to honor Luc Bourdon was simple and touching. With the entire Canucks team surrounding them on the ice, members of the Canucks staff behind the benches and Canucks fans standing in their seats or watching on TV, Luc’s family stood on GM Place ice. They fought back tears while remembering the life of Luc, one that was too promising but too short. Alex Burrows and Roberto Luongo presented them with Luc’s last game-worn jersey and Tom Cochrane came out and played “Big League” alongside a video tribute showing highlights of Luc’s life. Like Chris Zimmerman promised, it...

Expectations of goodness

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Expectations of goodness

There is a much higher sense of optimism in Canucks land these days, not just because they finished the preseason with a 6-0-1 record, but mostly because of a new kind of energy on the ice. The team looks reinvigorated. They look bigger and faster, and at least through the exhibition games, they seem more confident with the puck instead of playing hot potato with it like they did near the end of last season. Can they keep this up over 82 games? Perhaps, but really, their success comes down to how they respond to the following questions. Can the...

The Crazy Canucks: Episode 65

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The Crazy Canucks: Episode 65

At this point, we’re undefeated. Sure, it’s the pre-season, but we’re not complaining about a 6-0 record thus far. New faces are impressing us, a new coaching style seems to be working well, and the new lines are producing better than anyone has really expected. We also got our answer about who will be captain this season, so there is something to be said about that. Rebecca is a not so healthy scratch for this one, but the rest of the crew gathers with their homework in tow on some new faces on our lineup. Click here to listen to...

What to do with Wellwood

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What to do with Wellwood

When Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis was first handed the top job, he stated 3 traits he wanted from his players – hockey intelligence, character and integrity. When Kyle Wellwood reported to training camp out of NHL shape, it called into question whether he possessed any of those traits. Guys in Toronto called him lazy. Fans called him fat. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault called him out: “His commitment to conditioning and being a professional athlete probably wasn’t where it needed to be for him to have success,” said Vigneault. “His test results showed from early July [to training camp] significant...

The Crazy Canucks: Episode 64

Blog

The Crazy Canucks: Episode 64

We’re still in the pre-season swing of things, but the Canucks (yes, the organization themselves) invited us to the first, home game at GM Place as a bit of thanks for the promotional material they asked us to be apart of. Who are we to say no? Click here to listen to the episode.

First impressions

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First impressions

The Crazy Canucks podcast crew were guests of the Vancouver Canucks in suite 519 last night. Needless to say, it was an excellent experience and it gave John, Rebecca, Dave, Alanah and I all an opportunity to meet the team’s marketing group and brainstorm on potential partnerships this season. (Plus, the popcorn was damn good.) It also gave me a chance to form some first impressions on the Canucks. I don’t know if it’s the players or their system, but the Canucks looked faster in their first two preseason games. They made a lot of plays off the rush –...

Gillis’ sales job

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Gillis’ sales job

It’s no secret that the Vancouver Canucks need more offense, but as training camp starts today with no Mats Sundin in sight, Mike Gillis has started selling Canucks fans with a youth movement. Increasingly over the last little while, Gillis, in his interviews, has started repeating the same message. Listen closely. You’ll hear how he thinks the Keslers, Raymonds and Bieksas are ready to take on more responsibility and how he thinks the Grabners and Hodgsons are ready to take the next step in their development. You’ll hear how he thinks they should be given this opportunity because, after all,...

Prospect camp cuts

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Prospect camp cuts

After completing Prospects Camp and the rookie tourney in Camrose, the Vancouver Canucks announced the following cuts today: Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have reduced their training camp roster by 14 players. The Vancouver Canucks will now have 45 players attending main training camp in Whistler, B.C., September 19-21. The following players have been assigned to the Manitoba Moose: Mario Bliznak Centre Manitoba Moose AHL Patrick Coulombe Defence Manitoba Moose AHL The following players have been assigned to their junior clubs: Morgan Clark Goalie Red Deer WHL Prab Rai Centre Seattle WHL The following...

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