by Ron Spence
You lit it up in Major Junior.
You tallied 129 and 131 points in 70 and 72 games.
And for this you were drafted 11th overall.
You show up at the big boy’s camp and who’s ahead of you on the depth chart – at centre?
Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Shawn Burr – who can also play [...]
Entries from July 2009
CODY HODGSON: THIRD LINE CENTRE
July 13th, 2009 · 1 Comment
Tags: CANUCKS - RON SPENCE
TYLER BOUCK: OFF TO PLAY IN GERMANY
July 12th, 2009 · No Comments
Former nucks’ prospect Tyler Bouck is off to play for Ingolstadt ERC of the German Elite League.
He was with the Vancouver organization from December 28, 2001 until the end of the 2006-07 season.
Bouck came over – from Phoenix – with Todd Warriner, Trevor Letowski and a third round pick for Drake Berehowsky and Denis Pederson.
He [...]
Tags: FORMER CANUCKS
TRIVIA: THE FIRST SHOOTOUT
July 12th, 2009 · No Comments
by Ron Spence
The keys were put away and the lockout was over.
The following 2005-06 season was one of change.
There were new superstars and something called the shootout.
The first post-overtime game decider took place on October 5, 2005.
It was the Leafs hosting the Sens and two Ottawa players scored.
Who were they?
And who did they score on?
The [...]
Tags: HOCKEY TRIVIA
PHONE GEORGE MCPHEE, MIKE….
July 11th, 2009 · 1 Comment
by Ron Spence
Washington acquired our friend, Brendan Morrison. Good for Morrison and good for the Caps.
And potentially good for the nucks.
According to Corey Masisak of the Washington Times:
“…the Capitals already control seven NHL-caliber defensemen (eight if you count Karl Alzner),” wrote DMG of Japers’ Rink.
And Washington has some good dmen in the minors.
“The Caps have a myriad of [...]
Tags: ANALYSIS - RON SPENCE
A WORD OF ADVICE TO THE NHL
July 10th, 2009 · No Comments
by Ron Spence
Many of us followed NHL free agency via twitter.
Face book postings have brought negative attention to some players.
courtesy of media.canada.com
And Toronto coach Ron Wilson is in trouble for semi-tampering on the air waves.
The NHL would be wise to form a committee and develop specific bylaws applicable to new technology.
The NCAA has been getting [...]
Tags: OPINION
SHOPPING CORY SCHNEIDER
July 10th, 2009 · No Comments
by Ron Spence
If you wanted to shop Cory, who would you talk to?
Who wants an excellent young goalie?
Seth Rorabaugh writes about teams that should upgrade their goalie situation:
link
Rorabaugh’s referring to the case of Martin Biron – a $3.5 million player last season.
*****
But, a few of these situations could be appropriate for Cory.
Myself, I’d trade him [...]
Tags: OPINION
STEVE KARIYA: STARRING IN FINLAND
July 9th, 2009 · No Comments
by Ron Spence
With Vancouver’s selection of Jordan Schroeder, people have been remembering the names of Cliff Ronning, Brandon Reid and Steve Kariya.
They were the Canucks’ Lilliputians.
Most nucks fans will remember Kariya, who played very well in the pre-season, but faltered as the campaign went on.
I’ve been following Stevie over the past couple of seasons – [...]
Tags: FORMER CANUCKS
WAITING OUTSIDE OF GABORIK'S HOUSE
July 9th, 2009 · No Comments
by Ron Spence
One of the Vancouver newspapers wrote that Marian Gaborik had purchased a home on the lower mainland, so I looked and looked and couldn’t find his name on any listings or offers, but narrowed it down to this house in West Vancouver.
I’ve been waiting outside hoping to get an interview with him when [...]
Tags: HOCKEY HUMOUR
MIKE FUNK: NEEDS MORE RYPIEN LESS FINESSE
July 8th, 2009 · 1 Comment
by Ron Spence
If you could place Rick Rypien in Mike Funk’s body, you’d have Chris Pronger.
The newest nucks’ prospect has all of the skills:
courtesy of sportsnet.ca
Funk played four seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, and was drafted in the 2nd round – 43rd overall – by the Buffalo Sabres in 2004.
Sabres.com included Funk’s central scouting report [...]
Tags: MANITOBA MOOSE
NO ONE TAMPERED WITH MATTIAS
July 7th, 2009 · 1 Comment
by Ron Spence
Tony Gallagher is questioning whether the Lightening tampered with Mattias Ohlund – before free agency kicked at noon on July 1st.
He makes the points: ”How the hell do you agree to a contract structured so bizarrely 15 minutes into free agency without any tampering going on?…[And] How long had Ohlund been thinking about it?”
To [...]
Tags: OPINION