Here's one good thing about the fact that Jake Virtanen's not participating in Hockey Canada's summer evaluation camp: at least he didn't get stood up at the blue line and
suffer a concussion like Aaron Ekblad did against the Czechs in Tuesday's competition.
In all seriousness, that's a nasty blow for a talented prospect who had, by all reports, been performing very well at camp so far.
Thanks to Vantel for
this link from Tuesday, on Virtanen's experience at camp so far, from Sunaya Sapurji of Yahoo! Sports.
The Canucks' prospect is not participating in regular activities but is getting a little bit of time on the ice, and seems excited to say that he's ahead of schedule—I think. "I know the doctor here said I'll be biting the bone just wanting to get on the ice playing because I'm ahead of schedule quite a bit - so it's good news."
Virtanen sounds like he's enjoying a break from his usual rehab routine, and is using the camp as motivation for when he gets back on the ice:
"It does suck," said Virtanen, of skating alone. "But you definitely get to see what you're up against. All the guys are good out here so I think when I get back for the season I've got to show what I can do once I'm back in Calgary this year and show these coaches what I can bring to the team."
Darryl Williams Joins Vigneault
A quick followup note on the Canucks' hiring of Ben Cooper as their new video coach. Incumbent Darryl Williams has actually signed on with the New York Rangers, where he'll be working once again with Alain Vigneault.
According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Williams will be an assistant coach with the Rangers, who watches the games from the press box, while Lacroix will be moving down to the bench with the Canadiens. Promotions for everyone!
Don Taylor, Craig MacEwan Out at Sportsnet
"Dr. Sport" Greg Douglas shared this insider tidbit in his Vancouver Sun
column over the weekend:
The predicted eastern influence in the Rogers Sportsnet national television chain hit the west hard this week with word that Pacific Bureau Chief Craig MacEwen has been given the old “we’re moving in a different direction” departure message by the brass in Toronto, who honourably enough delivered it to MacEwen in person. It was suggested here on June 28 that the Sportsnet Pacific on-air and behind-the-scene crews were concerned about what might lie ahead. Nobody has to remind longtime Sportsnet Connected anchor Don Taylor how tense things are these days.
This news was followed by Taylor's announcement on Tuesday that he'd be wrapping up his time at Sportsnet at the end of this week:
Taylor will be continuing his duties as co-host of the afternoon drive show on TEAM1040.
It sounds to me like Rogers will be consolidating into a central studio for their hockey broadcasts, likely in Toronto. I wouldn't be surprised if we see one main panel hosting for multiple games, much the way Hockey Night in Canada has handled its split broadcasts in recent years.
Hockey's going to look a whole lot different on our TVs in 2014-15.
Who Wore It Best?
Thanks for your votes in yesterday's poll. We called it correctly—Canucks.com did anoint Sami Salo as their marquee man for No. 6. They call Sami "Super Dependable," but go way off the usual highway when describing Salo's most memorable moment as a Canuck:
Sami Salo is beloved by Canucks fans for many reasons: he was a stellar blueliner, he was reliable and that shot, oh momma that shot. But none of the above compares to why those in the media loved Sami. He won our hearts with unbelievable quotes like when he said “maybe it’s just a burning sensation when I pee,” in response to questions about a lower body injury he was battling. As dependable as he was on the ice, he was even more so in front of a microphone.
Salo was, of course, very well known for his injuries. It's amazing he was still in the NHL at age 39.
My favourite Salo memory was when he came back from what
was believed to have been a ruptured testicle during the Canucks' 2010 playoff matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. Salo played the next game in Vancouver two days later, leading to one of the greatest fan chants I have ever heard. Do you remember?
Unfortunately, Chicago won that game. That ended the Canucks playoff run, leaving Salo to nurse his 'nads for the rest of the summer.
So—on to my nominees, at No. 7. This number's quite a bit more competitive:
Cliff Ronning: Ronning had 125 points in 180 career games with the St. Louis Blues when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks as a 25-year-old as part of the Garth Butcher deal at the 1991 trade deadline.
Ronning went on to spend six seasons in Vancouver, where he posted 328 points in 366 games. He was a key part of the team that went to the 1994 Stanley Cup final, with 15 points in 24 games.
Ronning still lives in Vancouver and is the founder of BASE hockey, which makes custom sticks.
Brendan Morrison: Also a B.C. boy, Morrison had 81 points in 131 games with the New Jersey Devils before he was acquired at the 2000 trade deadline, along with Denis Pederson, for Alexander Mogilny.
Morrison went on to spend eight seasons with the Canucks, most notably as part of the West Coast Express line with Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi. He put up 393 points in 543 games in a Vancouver uniform.
Morrison retired after the 2012-12 season.
Andre Boudrias: The Canucks' leading scorer in four of their first five NHL seasons, Boudrias was diminutive like Ronning—listed at 5'8" and 165 pounds. Nicknamed "Superpest," Boudrias was one of the most skilled players on the early Canucks.
Over six seasons in Vancouver, Boudrias put up 388 points in 458 games and was named team captain in his last year in Vancouver—1975-76. He's worthy of your consideration.
Honourable mentions: the late Gary Lupul, Pit Martin, Barry Pederson and Dan Quinn.
I think my vote would go to Ronning. What about you?
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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