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Rocky Thompson, Manny Malhotra in the mix for Canucks' new coaching staff |
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If you missed it, the Windsor Spitfires have advanced to Sunday's Memorial Cup final after a 4-2 win over the OHL champion Erie Otters on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Jeremiah Addison led the way for Windsor with three goals, but Canucks fans are probably more interested in Gabe Vilardi's four assists. The centre from Kingston is in the mix as one of the top prospects in June's upcoming draft and could be available when the Canucks pick at No. 5.
Vancouver free-agent signee Jalen Chatfield of the Spitfires told Rick Dhaliwal of News1130 that the Canucks "can't go wrong" if they make Vilardi their first-round pick:
Chatfield also offered some insight on Windsor coach Rocky Thompson, who is rumoured to be on the Canucks' radar as either the new head coach of Utica or possibly an assistant to Travis Green here in Vancouver.
I'm certainly impressed that after a layoff of more than a month following the Spitfires' first-round loss to the London Knights in the OHL playoffs, Thompson had his team ready to play and to excel in front of their hometown crowd at the Memorial Cup. As the host team, the Spitfires have beaten the league champions from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL in the round robin and are now the team to beat in Sunday's final.
Saint John will play Erie on Friday for the chance to take on the Spitfires and claim the trophy.
Speaking of the Canucks' coaching situation, Manny Malhotra tells Ben Kuzma that he's hoping to take on an expanded role next season.
In addition to helping the Canucks improve from last in the league with a 45.4 percent faceoff winning percentage in 2015-16 to ninth overall at 51.1 percent, "Malhotra also brought an infectious upbeat attitude to what can often be the daily drudgery of practice and video sessions," reports Kuzma.
“There are certain aspects (of coaching) that I’m learning about and how to get messages across to guys and be relatable,” said Malhotra.
Travis Green's assistant from Utica, Nolan Baumgartner, is expected to join the Canucks as well, replacing Doug Lidster as the main man in charge of the blue line.
"(Baumgartner) spent more games in the minors (969) with six teams than the NHL (147) with six clubs," writes Kuzma. "His been-there-done-that journey and communication skills should help a back end that has lacked symmetry through injuries and indifferent play."
The Canucks could also desperately use more offense from the defense. The entire Vancouver blue line chipped in for just 22 goals in 2016-17—seven less than Brent Burns scored on his own in San Jose.
Meanwhile, the Sedins have been keeping busy in Vancouver after deciding not to lace 'em up for Team Sweden at this year's world championship.
They were part of the Canucks Autism Network's Sports Day last weekend at BC Place:
They were on the ice at Rogers Arena earlier this week:
And today, it was announced that Daniel and Henrik will be receiving honorary degees from Kwantlen Polytechnic University for the "for the citizenship, sportsmanship, civility, respect and care they demonstrate both on and off the ice in their adopted province of British Columbia."
The convocation ceremony will take place next Thursday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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