Tag Archives: hockey

End of NHL lockout a win for Vancouver businesses (with video)

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

Jessica Kelly was getting home from work around 3 a.m. Sunday in Vancouver just as the news began to break: the 113-day NHL lockout was finally over.

The manager of G Sports Bar and Grill on Granville Street checked and double-checked to make sure it was true.

“I was so happy I couldn’t even sleep,” she said. “I could just see dollar signs in my mind. I was really happy.”

Even with college basketball’s March Madness and the Superbowl coming up, hockey is the bread and butter of the business. “With those two put together, it’s nothing compared to what we’ll get for hockey,” Kelly said. While unable to give exact dollar figures, Kelly said bar and food sales have declined about 45 per cent since the lockout began in September. With football games and UFC fights picking up a bit of the slack, the bar — which has seven satellites and caters to out-of-town hockey fans, not just Canucks diehards...

Social media kept everyone in touch during NHL lockout

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

From start to finish, social media was an ever-present force during the NHL’s lockout.

Reaction was almost immediate on Sunday as word spread among players, media and fans that the league’s 113-day labour crisis had come to an end with a tentative agreement between the league and the NHL Players’ Association.

“So excited to get back to Edmonton,” said left-winger Taylor Hall. “See you soon Oiler fans!!!!”

New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson appreciated the time that went into the final 16-hour negotiating session that ended early Sunday morning.

“Woke up to some great news,” tweeted Moulson. “Big thank you to all who put in countless hours to get this thing done NHLPA.”

Matt Grabner, Moulson’s teammate on Long Island, was also grateful for the hard work put into labour talks that included U.S. federal mediators at times.

“Thanks to everyone who worked so hard and got this done..scramble is on now..can’t wait to get to NY,” said Grabner, adding the hashtag #letsplayhockey.

“To the...

Mason Raymond bound for Sweden, Sedins may be next

Posted on December 27, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER - Mason Raymond won't play his first game with his new Swedish team until Jan. 3, but the first big challenge of his overseas hockey adventure figures to come New Year's Day when he and wife Megan make the long trek from Calgary with their active nine-month-old son Max.

Raymond was determined that if he was going to play overseas, his family was going to be along for the ride.

"The biggest thing for me in picking a spot over there was I wanted a good fit for my family," Raymond said in a phone interview Thursday.

Raymond signed a deal this week with Orebro HK of the Swedish first division.

"To be honest I've had quite a few offers and I guess I was hopeful we'd have a deal done in the NHL earlier on," Raymond said about the timing of his decision.

He doesn't know much about his new team, other than the fact a good friend, former Colorado...

Gallagher: NHL takes, players give, league says ‘We want more’

Posted on December 19, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

There is always something strangely odd about lockouts in professional sports.

But this latest NHL effort, in which hockey played at its highest level has disappeared from view, has really set new standards in bizarre.

Take a look at what happened just right here in Vancouver on Wednesday.

The Vancouver Canucks are head and shoulders the most prestigious sports franchise in the city, yet here were the team’s general manager Mike Gillis and his assistant Laurence Gilman asking the TEAM 1040 radio station whether they could appear for one hour on the B-Mac and Taylor afternoon drive program to essentially let people know that their team still existed.

And they were quick to let the fans know they appreciated their patience.

“When the time comes that there will be hockey played again, and we certainly hope that it is sooner than later, we will do everything in our power to assure our fans that they have not been taken for granted in this...

New Westminster’s Kyle Turris relishes two-month Finnish hockey adventure

Posted on December 16, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

The first player Kyle Turris met when he arrived in the small northern city of Oulu, Finland, for a two-month European hockey adventure was the last guy he’d like to meet on the NHL ice.

If the lockout is resolved, Jason Demers promised he will staple his former Karpat teammate and roommate to the boards. All the goodwill, good laughs and bad food they shared in the SM-liiga will be gladly exchanged for a heavy check and maybe an elbow or two when his San Jose Sharks battle the Ottawa Senators.

Imagine, the polite kid from New Westminster with 70 career penalty minutes in 186 games dropping the mitts against the puck-moving Demers, who has amassed 79 minutes in 214 games? Two brooms falling out of a closet comes to mind.

“I didn’t even know him, but when I flew in and I watched the first game, he welcomed me and took me under his wing,” recalled Turris, who returned to...

Sedin Twins surprise Vancouver Thunderbirds Triple A Midget team by showing up for practice (video)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Henrik Sedin misses hockey.

He misses the locker room, the trainers, the darkened, chilled, damp nights he spends driving to a rink to play.

He can’t tell how much of his life has been sponged by the game, but he’s sure it’s well beyond the 10,000-hour mark which has gone from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers to our collective consciousness.

Ten thousand hours of practice is thought by some to be what it takes to become a world beater. But not every hour is created equal. Just ask the Vancouver Thunderbirds Triple A Midget team.

They got the hour of their hockey lives this week when the Sedins, as part of an NHLPA initiative, slipped into one of the skates at Hillcrest Arena, and danced with them in a series of on-ice drills.

Henrik and Daniel set them up for goals, batted bodies against them along the boards, and drew up some two-on-two plays which always showcase the Sedins at their most marvelous.

When it...

Willes: Are they really stupid enough to let the NHL season die?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

The question is asked several times a day: “Will there be hockey this season?”

Here is what I answer.

“Yes I think there will be hockey this season.”

Often, as a followup, the question why is then put forward.

And here’s my answer to that query.

“Because they can’t be stupid enough to blow up a season over the issues in these negotiations. No one is that stupid.

"OK, maybe Lloyd Christmas is that stupid. But he’s a character in the movie, Dumb and Dumber, not a living, breathing person, and if I believe anyone alive is actually that stupid, I will lose all hope in the human race.”

Over the last three months I’ve held firmly to this belief. But, as Christmas — the holiday, not the movie character — draws nearer, I’m also starting to wonder.

Is it possible? Are they really that stupid?

You look for signs of intelligence. You look for the light of reason from these men who’ve all graduated...

Canucks prospect Patrick McNally kicked off Harvard University team amid reported academic scandal

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Patrick McNally, a defenceman who was a fourth-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2010, has been removed from the Harvard University hockey team amid a reported academic scandal.

McNally is one of four Harvard players who has left the team and will not return this season, a university spokesman said Tuesday.

"I can confirm that they are no longer on the 2012-13 roster," Jeff Selesnick, assistant director of athletic communications, said in a telephone interview. "In terms of duration or nature of that absence, I really can't elaborate on that to any degree."

Selesnick said the four players would be eligible to return next year, but added: "I'm not sure what their intent is. I can't speak to their intent."

Harvard's student newspaper, The Crimson, reported some of the removals may be related to an academic scandal that rocked the university this past summer.

McNally and teammates Max Everson and Mark Luzar were all removed from the Harvard roster...

Canucks Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa taking it to the streets (with video)

Posted on December 6, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Ryan Kesler refereeing road hockey is like Arthur Fonzarelli jumping a shark on water skis. Things have gone way too far in the National Hockey League lockout.

And lest there was any doubt about this, the @NHLPodium account on Twitter – profile description: “I am always bad news” – was nearing 10,000 followers its first day of inanimate existence.

In New York, 18 millionaire players and six billionaire owners finally mustered enough goodwill and urgency to begin what appeared to be earnest give-and-take of negotiations to end the NHL's labour war.

And on a basketball court under the Cambie Bridge in Vancouver, dog walkers and skater kids were disrupted Wednesday afternoon by the outbreak of a road hockey game hastily announced and officiated by Kesler.

The Vancouver Canuck star refereed the stockinged Green Men, anthem singer Mark Donnelly, 50 road hockey players of varying ages and athleticism, and Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa.

“It's just a good time,” Kesler said....

Kesler, Bieksa help provide a good time

Posted on December 5, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER - Ryan Kesler refereeing road hockey is like Arthur Fonzarelli jumping a shark on water skis. Things have gone way too far in the National Hockey League lockout.

And lest there was any doubt about this, the @NHLPodium account on Twitter – profile description: “I am always bad news” – was nearing 10,000 followers its first day of inanimate existence.

The Vancouver Canuck star refereed the stockinged Green Men, anthem singer Mark Donnelly, 50 road hockey players of varying ages and athleticism, and Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa.

“It's just a good time,” Kesler said. “Obviously, the...

Ballard, NHL season both on ice

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

The hockey homecoming novelty has worn off for Keith Ballard, but the benefit could be lasting.

An alum of the University of Minnesota, the Vancouver Canucks defenceman has taken to a sheet of ice at the Minneapolis campus three to four times a week with as many as 30 players during the NHL lockout.

Far from casual gatherings, they have been run by former European and college coach John Harrington, who assisted on Mike Eruzione’s go-ahead goal for the U.S. in the famous 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics triumph over the Soviet Union.

Now you know why they call it the State of Hockey.

From former Golden Gophers like Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Ballard to current Wild players Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Niklas Backstrom and Cal Clutterbuck and a host of other NHL players who reside in Minnesota during the offseason, the lengthy sessions may give them a leg up if there’s a shortened season.

“We’ve got ice every day and after...

Canucks should retire Bure’s No. 10, says old pal Igor Larionov

Posted on November 13, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Igor Larionov is called The Professor for good reason.

The former Vancouver Canucks centre not only looks the part, the respected Russian has always been a student of the game and excelled at his chosen craft with class and dignity.

He won three Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings, is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and continues to shape young minds as a player agent.

Larionov represents Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, who were selected first and third overall, respectively, in the 2012 NHL draft, and is an astute judge of talent. His prize pupil was former teammate Pavel Bure.

As The Great Debate rages as to whether Bure should have his number retired by the Canucks to join Markus Naslund, Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl in the Rogers Arena rafters, it’s not surprising that his former linemate believes that sheer electricity and notable numbers should account for the highest franchise admiration.

On Monday, Bure gave his acceptance...

NHL: Hamhuis pleased to see stars honoured, concerned about lockout

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

The local hockey populace is polarized over whether Pavel Bure’s jersey should be retired by the Vancouver Canucks while NHL owners and the players’ association are paralyzed in progression toward reaching a collective bargaining agreement.

So on a soggy Monday, it was left to Dan Hamhuis to part some of the clouds. After a 90-minute skate with members of the UBC Thunderbirds — then stopping to sign autographs and pose for pictures with wide-eyed Atom players participating in a tournament — the Canucks defenceman reflected on a day where the focus should be on Hockey Hall of Fames inductees Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Adam Oates and Bure. Especially the Russian Rocket.

“He was the guy I grew up watching and he was so exciting because every time he touched the puck something could happen right from his first game he played,” recalled Hamhuis. “It’s good to see his recognition with the Hockey Hall of Fame, and it’s well deserved.”

That’s one...

Schultz snub still stings

Posted on November 11, 2012 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Piling up 15 points in his first 10 pro hockey games isn't Justin Schultz's most remarkable performance in pro hockey.

No, that was choosing the Edmonton Oilers.

Vancouver is still hurting from that one.

You could hear the pain here Friday when jilted Canucks fans booed Schultz lustily, and did it often in his first game in his home province after spurning the Canucks for the young Oilers. It won't be the last time.

It's frustrating to finish runner-up to an Alberta rival, especially now, when you see the 22-yearold blueliner control the defensive end like he had a well-behaved dog on a lead.

Schultz didn't get a point. He was still the star-laden Oklahoma City's most-impressive player.

He was smooth, clever and confident, and all behind his own blue-line.

This is supposed to be the offensive wizard whose defensive game was to look like a toddler teething as he made the transition from the University of Wisconsin to the pros.

Sure doesn't look that way.

"What's...