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Canucks bring back Guillaume Desbiens

Posted on July 30, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Guillaume Desbiens is back with the Vancouver Canucks organization after a one-year hiatus.

The Canucks announced Monday they signed Desbiens, after the 27-year-old winger spent last season with the Calgary Flames organization, most of it with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.

This marks Desbiens’ second stint with the Canucks. He spent three seasons with the local National Hockey League organization, suiting up for the Canucks in a single game in 2009-10 and 12 games in 2010-11.

He started the 2010-11 season with the Canucks, making the team out of training camp, but was dispatched back to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose after failing to register a point.

Desbiens, who stands 6-2 and weighs in at 210 pounds, was also called up to the Flames for 10 games this past season, but was used primarily in a fourth-line role, dropping the gloves five different times.

Originally drafted by the former Atlanta Thrashers 116th overall in 2003, Desbiens is coming off...

Canucks go regal: Ricci’s royal faceoff recalled

Posted on June 1, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

>Mike Ricci (left), now a Sharks coach, was team captain when Queen Elizabeth dropped the puck in 2002. Markus Naslund (right) was captain of the Canucks. Wayne Gretzky watched with a smile.

VANCOUVER — It’s a moment that will live on in hockey lore for years to come, and, after a short jogging of the memory, one that Mike Ricci likely won’t ever forget.

The date was Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002. Queen Elizabeth, celebrating at the time her 12-day Golden Jubilee visit to Canada, which included a stop in Vancouver, dropped the puck in a ceremonial faceoff between former Canucks captain Markus Naslund and Ricci, then captain of the San Jose Sharks, before an exhibition game at General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena).

In the background: other well-known hockey types Ed Jovanovski and Cassie Campbell, Hall of Famer Howie Meeker, and, of course, Wayne Gretzky — all smiling as the Queen dropped the puck she had grasped in her royal right hand, while cameras flashed and fans cheered.

Ricci, now a development coach with the Sharks hockey operations department, stood there, he too grinning politely, as Naslund drew the puck back with his...

Canucks, Luongo to ‘take our time’

Posted on April 26, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER - Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis admitted Thursday on Team 1040 radio he has not made a decision about the team’s goaltending situation for next season, amid reports long-time netminder Roberto Luongo has requested a trade.

According to a tweet from the Twitter account of Sportsnet hockey analyst Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) on Thursday, “Luongo asks for trade. Van didn’t even need to ask him to waive NTC. He tells them himself in exit meetings he wants out”.

That tweet wasn’t the only report that linked Luongo, the Canucks No. 1 goalie since the start of the 2006-07 season, to a possible trade.

TSN also reported that Luongo next week will submit to Canucks management a short list of teams he’d accept a trade to, in the event that’s what the organization decides, with future star and sophomore netminder Cory Schneider set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Gillis refuted those reports Thursday on the sports talk...

Canucks not Lack-ing for goaltending options: ‘Eddie’s very close’

Posted on April 26, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

Cam Tucker, Vancouver Sun VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis will watch with intrigue the progression of minor-league goaltender Eddie Lack in the coming day and months. Speaking on Team 1040 radio Thursday morning, Gillis lauded Lack’s recent work less than a day after the Chicago Wolves netminder recorded the second of back-to-back wins this week for the Canucks’ farm team, which has forced a fifth and deciding game in its best-of-five AHL Western Conference quarter-final with the San Antonio Rampage. “He’s definitely going to be a National Hockey League goaltender at some point, he’s that good,” Gillis told the radio station. “Just not sure if he’ll be absolutely ready and we may not know until next September if he’s completely ready.” The Wolves trailed 2-0 in the series, but staved off elimination with a pair of wins on home ice, and Lack’s recent play is a big reason why. The 24-year-old from Norrtalje, Sweden, was sensational in a 3-1 Game 4...

Stoll goal a Kings’ killer against Canucks in overtime

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Darryl Sutter had been waiting four months for Jarret Stoll to score that big goal. The L.A. Kings head coach said as much in his post-game press conference following Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win that eliminated the Vancouver Canucks from the playoffs.

Stoll scored his biggest goal of the season at 4:27 of the overtime period, rushing in down the left wing and letting go of a snap shot from his off-wing that beat Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider over the right shoulder. And just like, the Presidents’ Trophy winners were done, in the first round.

“For sure, it helps your confidence any time you score a goal in overtime in the playoffs,” said Stoll.

“It probably heightens it a little bit. Either way, you help your team win, or you try to help your team win. If it’s not by scoring goals, it’s by winning faceoffs, or playing well defensively, or killing penalties. I feel I do a lot of...

Canucks react to Torres suspension

Posted on April 21, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

Reaction to the National Hockey League’s watershed suspension of Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres continues, including from within the Vancouver Canucks dressing room.

On Saturday morning, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan announced Torres, the former Canuck, had been suspended 25 games for his devastating hit on Marian Hossa in Game 3 of the Chicago Blackhawks-Phoenix Coyotes Western Conference quarter-final.

Torres was not assessed a penalty on the play, while Hossa was taken off the ice on a stretcher. Reports out of Chicago are that Hossa did not make the trip to Phoenix for Game 5 of the series Saturday.

During the disciplinary video on NHL.com, Shanahan noted that Torres violated three specific rules – interference, charging and illegal check to the head – and Hossa was severely injured as a result. He also noted Torres is a repeat offender, all of which were factors, said Shanahan, in determining such a lengthy suspension.

“Torres is not only a repeat offender, as defined by the...

Canucks Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider downplay any goalie controversy

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Move along. No goaltending controversy here. That was the message coming from the Vancouver Canucks camp Friday.

Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo both spoke to a large gathering of reporters inside Rogers Arena after a full team practice at UBC earlier in the day.

Both downplayed the ongoing hullabaloo about who belongs in the Canucks crease next season, and who will be unceremoniously escorted out of town when 2011-12 concludes, all of which has become all the talk around Vancouver hockey circles since Schneider started Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference quarter-final against the L.A. Kings, ahead of Luongo, the gold-medal winning goalie for Canada in the 2010 Olympics and the Canucks No. 1 guy since 2006.

“Cory has worked extremely hard since he’s been up. I think, you know, he deserves what he’s getting. Obviously he’s going to be a top-notch goalie in this league for a long time and I’m happy for him and hopefully we...

Canucks lines switched up coach Vigneault at practice

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — If Friday's practice at the University of British Columbia was any indication, Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault may be shaking up his lines for Sunday's Game 5 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Mason Raymond skated on a line with Manny Malhotra and Dale Weise, in what could be the Canucks’ fourth line. Zack Kassian was missing from the main practice, as was defenceman Kevin Bieksa, Andrew Ebbett and Byron Bitz.

Marc-Andre Gragnani took Bieksa's spot with the main group.

David Booth continued to skate with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, while Alex Burrows was paired with Ryan Kesler and Maxim Lapierre. The only line that wasn't touched was the checking line of Sammy Pahlsson, Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen.

Both goalies, Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo, were taking shots.

ctucker@vancouversun.com

On Twitter: Twitter.com/CamTuckerSun

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Canucks-Kings: 5 storylines flying under the radar

Posted on April 19, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Daniel Sedin’s return from a concussion and Cory Schneider’s newfound role as the Canucks’ starting goalie — at least for now — have dominated recent headlines of the Western Conference quarter-final series against the Los Angeles Kings.

And that’s sure to continue, so long as Daniel, along with twin brother Henrik Sedin, can invigorate the power play like they did in Game 4, and Schneider continues to stymie the Kings, such as he did in with a 3-1 win Wednesday.

But it’s time to take a break from the mainstream. Here are the top five storylines that haven’t gone unnoticed, but haven’t been talked about at great length, either.

1) FOURTH LINE vs. FOURTH LINE:

The Canucks travel back to Vancouver for Sunday’s Game 5 needing an answer for the L.A. Kings’ fourth line of Colin Fraser, Jordan Nolan and Brad Richardson. The trio, particularly in Game 4, gave Vancouver fits, putting their Vancouver counterparts Manny Malhotra, Maxim Lapierre and...

Canucks goalie controversy: what they’re saying about Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo

Posted on April 19, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks lived to play another game in their best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final against the Los Angeles Kings, staying clear of ill-fated brooms with a 3-1 win in Wednesday’s Game 4.

They still trail the series 3-1, but there’s a faint glimour of hope, as the series shifts back to Vancouver for Game 5 Sunday. The Canucks, and their fans, can look to the power play, which, with a healthy Daniel Sedin, scored twice after going 0-for-14 in the first three games of the series.

One factor usurps all the rest: Cory Schneider, the 26-year-old “back-up” to Roberto Luongo. The goaltending tide in Vancouver seems to be changing. Schneider was given the start for Games 3 and 4, ahead of Luongo, the long-time starter in Vancouver currently in the second year of a 12-year contract worth $64 million.

This development, which has been brewing since last year’s playoffs and finally came to a head in Game 3...

Canucks win on Twitter: ‘To the rest of America outside LA: You’re welcome’

Posted on April 18, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

• Click here for a Game 4 photo gallery or look under "More on this story" that appears on this web page.

VANCOUVER — Daniel Sedin proved to be the missing ingredient for the Vancouver Canucks offence, at least in Game 4 Wednesday with their season on the line.

Out of the lineup since March 21 with a concussion, Daniel registered an assist on twin brother Henrik’s third period goal that put the Canucks up 3-1. It was the second power play marker of the night for Vancouver, which was previously 0-for-14 in the series.

The Canucks won Game 4 by a score of 3-1, staving off a first-round sweep at the hands of the L.A. Kings, and have breathed new life into Canuck Nation.

Here’s what people in the Twitter world were saying after Wednesday’s win:

“To the rest of America outside LA: You're welcome. #canucks #kings,” wrote @lawheadhunter, mocking the tweet from the Kings official Twitter account last...

Canucks once-lethal power play has fizzled out

Posted on April 17, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

The Vancouver Canucks power play last season was usually the all-powerful weapon, lethal to most teams that dared step out of line and into the penalty box against the 2011 and 2012 Presidents’ Trophy winners.

How times have changed. Esthetically, the Canucks finished the regular season with the fourth best power play in the NHL at 19.8 per cent, but the man-advantage has turned into anything but since exploding for four goals on Jan. 7 against the Boston Bruins.

The Canucks, following that game, stumbled through the remainder of the season, going 16-for-120 on the power play.

It’s currently 0-for-14 in the Western Conference quarter-final, and the main reason the Canucks trail the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 in the series and are on the brink of a shocking elimination heading into Wednesday’s make-or-break Game 4.

The numbers are alarming, and there are numerous reasons as to why.

Including the first three games of this series, the Canucks’ power play has been shut...

Game Within Game: Quick lives up to his name

Posted on April 15, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

THREE STARS:

1. Jonathan Quick, Kings.

40 stops in Game 3. Has stopped 86 of last 88 shots in the series.

2. Dustin Brown, Kings.

Scored game-winning goal in third period.

3. Cory Schneider, Canucks.

Game 3 starter instead of Roberto Luongo. Stopped 19 of 20 shots.

WHERE ART THOU, CHRIS HIGGINS?: After an impressive regular season, in which Chris Higgins scored 18 times and had 43 points in 71 games, the Canucks forward has been noticeably absent through three playoff games. Game 3 against the Kings marked the third game in a row Higgins was held off the score sheet. He’s also a minus-three in the series, and was shoved hard off the puck in the third period of Game 3 by Drew Doughty when the Canucks were pushing for the equalizer.

FOURTH LINE BLUES: Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault shortened his lines, albeit mostly because of a penalty-filled second period, and as a result, the fourth line was kept on the bench...

L.A. Kings’ Drew Doughty tries to find humour in serious playoff time

Posted on April 14, 2012 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER - Drew Doughty managed a chuckle when he first learned of the now-infamous tweet sent out from the L.A. Kings official Twitter account after Game 1 of the Western Conference quarter-final Wednesday.

Doughty on Thursday was still not aware of the tweet that had the online masses and, eventually, the media in a frenzy following the Kings 4-2 to win over the Canucks to open a 1-0 series lead. But he couldn’t hide from the big story of the day, which on Twitter read: “To everyone in Canada outside BC, you’re welcome.”

When inquiring minds wanted Doughty's reaction, the Kings defenceman admitted he thought it was funny - a break from the minutia of ‘one-game-at-a-time’ and ‘get-pucks-on-net’ clichés that dog daily meetings with the media throughout the post-season.

Imagine the temerity for someone involved in the Stanley Cup playoffs to have a laugh, but that’s Drew Doughty – finding humour at a time of such seriousness.

“I definitely think it’s real...