Official: Vancouver Canucks W00T

[Aquaman]

Canucks draft goaltender in first round

Canadian Press
6/26/2004

RALEIGH, N.C. (CP) - From what was found at the draft table, goaltending may no longer be a mystery for the Vancouver Canucks in a few years.

The Canucks used their first-round pick, 26th overall, to select highly regarded U.S. high school goalie Cory Schneider and also grabbed Julien Ellis-Plante from the Shawinigan Cataractes 189th overall.

"We filled some holes in net, in terms of depth," said general manager Dave Nonis. "We added depth at other positions as well.

"We're happy with our picks."

The six-foot-two Schneider led the United States to a gold medal at the under-18 world championships in 2003, which convinced scouts his gaudy numbers at Phillips-Andover Academy were not simply from playing against weak competition.

In 24 high school games this season, Schneider posted a 1.42 goals-against average and a sterling .956 save percentage with six shutouts. He was also scholastic player of the year in Massachusetts.

"I'm a big kid so I like to use my size," said the red-headed goaltender. "I go after the puck and let it hit me.

"I watch guys like Andrew Raycroft (of Boston) and Roberto Luongo (of Florida) who are bigger guys."

Schneider has the option of playing for Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League next season, but plans to play at Boston College.

Nonis said it is the goaltender's choice.

"As long as he's playing and developing, it's not important where he plays," he said, adding that Schneider is a long-term project.

"Very few goaltenders step in and play right away. It's a position that needs a great deal of time to develop, physically and mentally. That's not to say he couldn't come up quickly, but we didn't draft him to move him up quickly. We want to make sure he develops."

Ellis-Plante, no relation to former Montreal Canadiens great Jacques Plante, is a classic butterfly goalie from Sorel, Que., the same town that produced goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, the top pick in the 2003 draft.

He was expecting to be picked much higher in the draft and missed it when his name was finally called.

"I was outside because I was so frustrated," he said. "I was waiting so long.

"But when my agent came out and said `Vancouver' I was so happy."

Nonis came to the draft looking to make deals, but found none.

"We looked at a number of things, but nothing made sense in terms of what we had to give up," he said. "It doesn't mean it's not going to happen, it just didn't happen here."

Vancouver didn't have a pick in the second round, but took Swedish defenceman Alexander Edler with the 91st overall pick in the third round. The six-foot-three Edler had three goals and six assists in 24 games this season.

Other picks were:

- Andrew Sarauer, fourth round, 125th overall: The six-foot-four left-winger from Saskatoon had 43 goals in 57 games for Langley in the B.C. junior league.

- Mike Brown, fifth round, 159th: Six-foot, 210-pound right-winger had seven goals and five assists in 38 games at the University of Michigan.

- David Schulz, eighth round, 254th: A six-foot-three, 201-pound defenceman for the Swift Current Broncos.

- Jannik Hansen, ninth round, 287th: A six-foot Danish forward who had 13 goals in 35 games for Malmo in Sweden.

Cheers,
Vic

 

[Aquaman]

Jackets claim Sanderson on waivers

Canadian Press
6/28/2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CP) - The Columbus Blue Jackets reacquired forward Geoff Sanderson off waivers Monday from the Vancouver Canucks.

Sanderson, 32, was traded from Columbus to Vancouver just before last season's NHL trade deadline. He had three goals and four assists in seven games with the Canucks and added two points in seven playoff games.

The six-foot, 190-pound left-winger had 13 goals and 16 assists in 67 games with the Blue Jackets last season.

NHL sources have told TSN that when Sanderson was initially traded to Vancouver, a provision of that deal was that Columbus would claim him back in the event Sanderson was put on waivers.

It's believed that the same arrangement was also included in the deadline trade that brought Brian Savage to St. Louis from Phoenix.

``We're very happy to have Sandy back as a member of our organization,'' Columbus GM Doug MacLean said in a release. ``He has scored 30 or more goals twice for us and I look for him to bounce back in a big way next season.

``He still has great speed and is a proven offensive player in this league.''

Sanderson, a two-time all-star and native of Hay River, N.W.T., was a second-round (36th) selection of the Hartford Whalers at the 1990 NHL entry draft. He has 621 points in 928 career regular-season games. Sanderson holds Blue Jackets' franchise records with 88 goals and 168 points in 259 games.

The team also announced Monday that it has exercised the contract option on goaltender Karl Goehring.

Goehring, 27, has spent the past three seasons in the Blue Jackets organization, playing primarily with the club's AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

Goehring posted a 17-14-6 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and one shutout in 38 games with Syracuse in 2003-04.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

NHL teams face big money decisions

Canadian Press
6/28/2004

It's crunch time in the NHL this week, when some clubs will have to make difficult decisions on high-priced restricted free agents with the spectre of a lockout staring them in the face.

Clubs have until midnight EDT Wednesday to tender qualifying offers to their respective Group 2 free agents, who are players under 31 whose contracts are expiring.

Last year a large number of these players were not qualified as NHL clubs began tightening their purses ahead of this summer's labour war.

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks made the boldest decision, deciding not to tender a $10-million US qualifying offer to Paul Kariya, therefore making him an unrestricted free agent.

He subsequently bolted for Colorado and never gave the Ducks a chance.

Larry Pleau doesn't seem inclined to take the same chance with star defenceman Chris Pronger.

Despite the financial concerns of the Blues, the St. Louis general manager will likely qualify Pronger at $9.5 million.

``It's 99.9 per cent, my intention is to do it,'' Pleau said.

Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix confirmed at the NHL entry draft over the weekend that the Avalanche had tendered an $11-million qualifying offer to superstar centre Peter Forsberg, although rumours persist he will turn it down and play for his father's club in Sweden next year.

Jarome Iginla also needs a qualifying offer and Calgary Flames GM Daryl Sutter said he's already given Iginla the $7-million offer, not bothering to wait for the deadline.

Iginla and agent Don Meehan will likely reject the one-year deal and try to negotiate a longer contract. If that doesn't work, they have until July 14 to opt for salary arbitration. And what a case Iginla has after his dream-like season.

``We had dinner together this weekend and we're going to meet again Tuesday and Wednesday,'' Meehan said of talks with Sutter. ``We both want to be proactive on this and get something done.''

The thrill of this spring's magical ride to the Stanley Cup final will be a distant memory if the Flames get embroiled in a contract dispute with their No. 1 player.

``We have three questions we need to answer,'' Sutter said. ``No. 1, Jarome do you want to play in Calgary? No. 2, can we afford you? And No. 3, when we're a team that has a chance to win it, are you going to be part of it? And right now I can't get a straight answer on all three.''

While the Blues will retain Pronger, they probably won't give winger Pavol Demitra his $6.5-million qualifying offer, not with Keith Tkachuk ($9 million) and Doug Weight ($7 million) already on the books for next season. So expect Demitra to hit the market Thursday as an unrestricted free agent.

Other tough calls around the league on Group 2 free agents: Winger Jeff O'Neill needs a $3.7-million qualifying offer in Carolina, defenceman Roman Hamrlik a $3.6-million qualifier on Long Island, winger Eric Daze $3.2 million in Chicago, winger Adam Deadmarsh (who missed all of last season with post-concussion syndrome) $3 million in Los Angeles, winger Jeff Friesen $3 million in New Jersey, and winger Anson Carter $2.8 million in Los Angeles.

Those are just the big names, but some 300 of the league's 750 players need qualifying offers and some won't get them as NHL clubs get ready for the lockout.

``There will be a couple of Group 2s that we don't qualify, but I don't know if they'll qualify as surprises or not,'' Nashville Predators GM David Poile said.

But Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell doesn't think it's going to be as dramatic as some people think.

``Maybe a few guys at the low end and a few guys at the high end but other than that, I think we're going to be surprised that there weren't that many guys let go,'' he said. ``That's my guess, I'd be surprised if a lot of players didn't get qualified.''

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

McKenzie: Rookies won't cash in anymore

TSN.ca Staff
6/28/2004

We don't know what the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will bring, but it's safe to assume that rookies will no longer be cashing in like they did under the old system.

It's an uncertain world, and one that's going to be a lot more restrictive, or so you would think. That being said, the last time there were CBA discussions, we were told that there would be entry level restrictions put in place. Those so-called restrictions turned into multi-million dollar contracts for players such as Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Marian Gaborik. These players could reach three, four, or five million dollars if they hit on all their bonuses.

That certainly won't be happening in the future - in fact it's not even happening now.

For the players taken in the 2004 draft, even though they belong to the 'old' part of the CBA, their leverage is such that they will have a very difficult time in negotiations. If NHL teams can't make what they think is a fair deal for their 2004 draftees, they will simply sit back and do nothing. They'll wait for the new economic system to be put in place, assuming that the new and presumably restrictive system will guarantee that entry level players are at the lowest end of the NHL food chain.

So what about the 2005 draft? If there is no CBA in place, then there is no draft. The draft part of the CBA, negotiated by the league and the players' association.

What I believe will happen if there is no hockey played next year, but a settlement is reached in time for a draft, then the draft would go ahead. They would probably use the exact same order of selection that was used this year, although the NHL might re-do the lottery - so there would be no guarantee that Washington would get the first overall pick again. This will be an important point, because Sidney Crosby is going to be the top pick.

FREE AGENT FRENZY: Normally when July 1st comes, it's a free agent bonanza and everybody's talking about which players are going to be switching teams. The question now is, which restricted free agents are going to get qualifying offers that prevent them from becoming unrestricted free agents and which players will be cut loose into a market that is going to be absolutely flooded?

There's a lot of work to be done very quickly by a lot of teams. The Boston Bruins, for example, harldy have any players under contract. They've got all sorts of free agents - restricted and unrestricted. Some of them are big players, such as Sergei Gonchar (UFA) and Joe Thornton (RFA).

Most teams will sit tight and wait to see what happens. It's going to be an unusual summer in that respect.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Flames aim to sign Iginla, Kiprusoff

TSN.ca Staff
6/29/2004

The Calgary Flames' most important off-season business is getting their two top performers, forward Jarome Iginla and goaltender Miika Kiprusoff, signed to new contracts. Iginla has been given a qualifying offer and has arbitration rights but the goal of the Flames is to reach an agreement on a new multi-year deal, which might be easier said than done. Kiprusoff also has arbitration rights and it's quite possible he'll go that route, which is fine by the Flames.

Centre Craig Conroy isn't likely to be back. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on Thursday and after turning down a Flames' offer of a two year deal at his existing salary, he'll seek more elsewhere. The Flames believe Steve Reinprecht can step into Conroy's role. If Calgary can re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Nilson, and he has been given a qualifying offer, the Flames will go with Reinprecht, Nilsson, Stephane Yelle and Matthew Lombardi at centre.

Calgary is almost certain to pick up a club option on Ville Nieminen, has offered a contract to unrestricted Chris Simon and qualified defencemen Denis Gauthier, Jordan Leopold and mike commodore.

Calgary will also try to sign top prospect Dion Phaneuf, which would give the Flames as many as nine blueliners, allowing them to make a deal for a much needed left winger. Or the Flames could look at a bargain winger in the big pool of unrestricted free agents, but whatever they do, the payroll isn't going to exceed $35 million.

Meanwhile, it's business as usual for the Edmonton Oilers. They have qualifying offers out to netminder Ty Conklin, defencemen Eric Brewer, Jason Smith, Marc-Andre Bergeron and Alex Semenov and forwards Radek Dvorak and Brad Isbister. All are expected back in the fold.

The Oilers will attempt to keep defenceman Scott Ferguson but he could become unrestricted. The No. 1 challenge facing Oiler GM Kevin Lowe is coming up with a No. 1 centre. It could be Petr Nedved, who seemed to enjoy his brief time in Edmonton but is exploring free agency on Thursday. Whether it's Nedved or someone else, the Oilers' definition of a No. 1 centre is someone who makes less than $4 million a year on a multi-year deal. The Oil would love it to be Nedved but only at the right price.

In Vancouver, new GM Dave Nonis has some challenges. Netminder Dan Cloutier, No. 1 centre Brendan Morrison and the Sedin twins have all been qualified, with Cloutier and Morrison eligible for arbitration. But the expectation with these players, and many more like them, is they'll forgo arbitration and simply hold out for long-terms deals. Crunch time for Vancouver is more likely to occur whenever next season begins. Netminder Johan Hedberg has been cut loose by the Canucks with Alex Auld, who has been qualified, slated as the backup. Defenceman Brian Allen and centre Artem Chubarov are without contracts, but have been qualified.

Vancouver isn't likely to look at signing any new unrestricted free agents and, in fact, will look long and hard at whether to bring back their U.F.A.'s from last year, including Magnus Arvedson, Marc Bergevin, Mike Keane and Marty Rucinsky.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Free agency fever kicks off

Canadian Press
6/30/2004

The Toronto Maple Leafs were busy on the eve of the NHL's free-agent season, re-signing veteran stars Ed Belfour, Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts and eliminating three big names from the market.

Roberts signed a one-year, $3.75-million US deal and his good friend Nieuwendyk agreed to a one-year, $3-million contract. Financial details were not available for the 39-year-old Belfour, who signed a two-year deal plus a team option for a third year.

The NHL's free-agency period officially kicks off Thursday.

This year's unrestricted free-agent crop is larger than usual as clubs timed many of those contracts for the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement and the impending lockout.

The Los Angeles Kings added to a crowded crop of unrestricted free agents Wednesday by deciding not to tender qualifying offers to forwards Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh and Anson Carter.

Allison, Deadmarsh and Carter join an already impressive list of unrestricted free agents which was also expected to include Alexei Kovalev, Paul Kariya, John Madden, Michal Nylander, Richard Matvichuk, Alexei Zhamnov, Peter Bondra, Mathieu Schneider, Teemu Selanne, Glen Wesley, Dominik Hasek, Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, Chris Osgood, Craig Conroy, Ziggy Palffy, Vincent Damphousse, Sean Hill, Alexei Zhitnik, Mike Knuble, Glen Murray, Brian Rolston and Eric Lindros.

The injury-riddled Lindros became unrestricted after the New York Rangers declined to pick up his $10.25-million contract option for next season.

Roberts, 38, had 48 points (28-20) in 72 games while Nieuwendyk, 37, had 50 points (22-28) in 64 games. Belfour had 34 wins while posting a 2.13 GAA and .918 save percentage and placing second in the NHL with 10 shutouts. All three players would have become unrestricted free agents Thursday.

Other signings Wednesday:

- The Vancouver Canucks re-signed winger Matt Cooke and defenceman Brent Sopel.

- The Kings signed impending unrestricted free agents Stephane Quintal, 35, and long-time fan favourite Luc Robitaille, 38, to one-year deals. Los Angeles had acquired Quintal's rights from Montreal last Sunday.

- The Leafs re-signed defenceman Aki Berg.

- The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed forward Tyson Nash.

- The Boston Bruins re-signed defenceman Jonathan Girard.

- The St. Louis Blues re-signed forwards Ryan Johnson and Dallas Drake as well as defenceman Alexander Khavanov.

- The Blues also signed free-agent defenceman Andy Roach. The 30-year-old, who played in the German league last season, scored a pair of sensational shootout goals to lift the Americans to bronze at the world hockey championship in Prague in May.

- The Washington Capitals re-signed winger Brian Willsie.

- The Atlanta Thrashers re-signed forwards Serge Aubin, Brad Larsen and Ben Simon.

- The Florida Panthers tendered qualifying offers to 11 of their players; LW Eric Beaudoin, LW Christian Berglund, LW Niklas Hagman, LW Darcy Hordichuk, LW Ryan Jardine, C Olli Jokinen, RW Juraj Kolnik, C Vaclav Nedorost, LW Josh Olson, RW Denis Shivdki, and D Mike Van Ryn.

- The Los Angeles Kings announced that qualifying offers have been tendered to C Sean Avery, C Scott Barney, C Eric Belanger, LW Noah Clarke, D Joe Corvo, LW Jeff Cowan, LW Ryan Flinn, C Steve Kelly, C Ian Laperriere, D Bryan Muir, D Joe Rullier, D Lubomir Visnovsky, D Tomas Zizka.

- The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim picked up a two-year option on the contract of defenseman Keith Carney.

Teams had until midnight EDT Wednesday night to tender qualifying offers to their respective restricted free agents in order to retain their rights.

Restricted free agents not tendered qualifying offers become unrestricted free agents July 1 regardless of their age. This happened last year when Anaheim balked at Kariya's $10-million qualifier, making him unrestricted. He bolted to Colorado and signed for peanuts, which this year makes him a Group 5 unrestricted free agent, players who have played 10 or more NHL seasons and earned less than the average salary last season.

Kariya made $1.2 million in 2003-04, way under the $1.83 million average. So he's free to sign with anyone starting Thursday.

``He has opted for Group 5 free agency but that doesn't necessarily mean he's done with Colorado,'' Kariya's agent, Don Baizley, said Wednesday from Winnipeg.

The Kings decided Allison's $8-million qualifying offer was too rich, especially after missing all of last season with post-concussion syndrome. Still, the 29-year-old was second in NHL scoring with 95 points just four seasons ago.

Deadmarsh, 29, also missed all of last season recovering form concussion problems so the Kings opted not to give him a $3-million qualifier while Carter, 30, put up only 28 points in 77 games last season so the Kings didn't qualify him at $2.8 million.

The St. Louis Blues qualified star defenceman Chris Pronger at $9.5 million, but were still debating whether to tender winger Pavol Demitra a $6.5-million qualifying offer.

``That hasn't been decided yet, not totally,'' Blues GM Larry Pleau said Wednesday from St. Louis.

The New Jersey Devils decided to qualify disappointing winger Jeff Friesen at $3 million, somewhat of a surprise. They also qualified centre Viktor Kozlov at $2.4 million.

There was speculation as to whether the Canucks would qualify netminder Dan Cloutier but the NHL club confirmed Wednesday it had tendered him the $2.5-million offer.

The Boston Bruins tendered qualifying offers Wednesday to eight of their 16 restricted free agents, including core players Joe Thornton, Andrew Raycroft, Hal Gill, Sergei Gonchar and Sergei Samsonov.

Andy Delmore and Michal Grosek were among the eight players not tendered qualifying offers and therefore become unrestricted free agents Thursday.

The Florida Panthers qualified 11 of their 21 restricted free agents, opting not to tender offers to Matt Cullen, Mikael Samuelsson and Pavel Trnka among others, making them unrestricted starting Thursday.

The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, continued their pursuit of the 39-year-old Hasek, having been granted permission from Detroit to speak with him even before he becomes a UFA on Thursday.

``We'll just continue to truck along and see what happens,'' Ritch Winter, Hasek's agent, said Wednesday from Edmonton. ``It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks.''

As expected, the Sens declined to pick up Bondra's $4.5-million contract option for season, making him unrestricted although GM John Muckler said Wednesday he was still interested in bringing the winger back.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Devils sign LW Darren Langdon

TSN.ca Staff
7/3/2004

The New Jersey Devils signed free agent left wing Darren Langdon, who played for the Montreal Canadiens last season. The announcement was made by Devils' General Manager Lou Lamoriello.

"Darren Langdon is a physical player who adds a dimension of size and toughness to our roster," said Lamoriello. "We look forward to him joining us in training camp."

Langdon, 33, will be entering his tenth National Hockey League season. He posted three assists and a team-leading 135 penalty minutes in 64 regular-season games with the Canadiens in 2003-04, while appearing in nine post-season contests.

The 6'1", 205-pound forward has 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points and 1,229 penalty minutes in 507 career regular-season games with the NY Rangers, Carolina, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

I kind of miss Langdon

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

I heard that COO David Cobb is gone............ took the #2 position for the 2010 Olympics

Good luck Mr. Cobb

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: Aquaman
I heard that COO David Cobb is gone............ took the #2 position for the 2010 Olympics

Good luck Mr. Cobb

Cheers,
Aquaman

It's offical

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[sandorski]

OMGWatermelon??!!

Who's this David Cobb?

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: sandorski
OMGWatermelon??!!

Who's this David Cobb?

OMGWATERMELON

Your kidding right? He is the guy who thought of some of the most innovative ways to get more streams of income for the Canucks (lotto, marketing and increasing season tickets). He was also the man between Burke & the Busniess side of the Canucks.

I hope they get an equally effective guy to fill in.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks sign G Flaherty, D Aitken

TSN.ca Staff
7/7/2004

The Vancouver Canucks were active in the free agent market on Wednesday, signing goaltender Wade Flaherty, defenceman Johnathan Aitken and right winger Lee Goren to contracts.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Boston Bruins drafted Aitken eighth overall in the 1996 NHL Draft. The former Brandon Wheat King played his first NHL stint in the 1999-2000 season before signing with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals the following year. He has spent the last couple of seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Flaherty made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks in 1991-92 and played four seasons with the New York Islanders before stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators.

Goren was Boston's third choice in the 1997 NHL Draft and signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers last summer.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[WobbleWobble]

So why do we want Flaherty? What does he bring to the team?

 

[Aquaman]

Just someone to use for the Moose & possibly for back up when Auld goes down, because he does haev NHL experience.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Bertuzzi will not be at first appearance

The Globe and Mail
7/9/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - Hockey fans planning a rally in support of Todd Bertuzzi will be disappointed when the suspended star of the Vancouver Canucks is not on hand Friday for his first court appearance after being charged with assault causing bodily harm, reports The Globe and Mail.

The rally is scheduled to take place outside the Provincial Court of B.C., where prominent lawyer Len Doust will appear on behalf of Bertuzzi.

``Todd will not be in court,'' Patrick Morris, player agent for Bertuzzi, said Thursday about his client, who is believed to be spending the off-season with family in Kitchener, Ont.

The right winger has not been seen in public since the final Vancouver playoff game April 19, after which Canucks players presented game-worn sweaters to selected fans. Bertuzzi received a huge ovation when he walked onto the ice wearing his No.44 sweater over a shirt and tie. He hugged a fan, waved to admirers and went back in the dressing room.

Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the National Hockey League, missing 13 regular-season games and losing $501,926.23 US in salary, following his blind-side sucker punch to the head of Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche on March 8 at General Motors Place.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Zoo-like atmosphere at Bertuzzi case

Canadian Press
7/9/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - The assault case against hockey star Todd Bertuzzi was adjourned to July 22 after a brief hearing Friday in provincial court.

Prosecutor Garth Leoppky said the Crown hopes to be in a position to get an arraignment date at that time.

The Vancouver Canucks forward is charged with assault causing bodily harm for sucker-punching Colorado's Steve Moore during a game in March. The attack on Moore left him with a broken neck and other injuries, and his NHL career in doubt.

Bertuzzi was not at Friday's hearing, which lasted only a minute, and it wasn't clear whether he would attend on July 22.

Len Doust, his defence lawyer, would not comment on what plea Bertuzzi might enter.

``I can't tell you that,'' Doust said. ``That's privileged information. That's Mr. Bertuzzi's information, not mine.''

Crown counsel spokesman Geoff Gaul said he didn't think a trial date would be set July 22, and was unsure about how far off a trial would be, but said he expected one.

``The Crown is proceeding as if this is going to trial,'' Gaul said before a phalanx of TV cameras. ``There is huge media interest and there is huge public interest both locally, nationally and internationally.''

But he said, the hockey star will not receive any special treatment.

``Mr. Bertuzzi will be treated like any other accused based on the evidence not on public sympathy or media attention,'' Gaul said.

``Mr. Bertuzzi would have to attend the trial and any other time the court decides.''

If found guilty, Bertuzzi could face a penalty ranging from jail time - a maximum of 18 months - to an absolute discharge with no criminal record.

Since his tearful apology two nights after the March 8 incident at GM Place, Bertuzzi has retreated into his private life and has not spoken publicly about the assault charges.

His agent, Pat Morris, has admitted there is also the possibility of a civil suit from Moore.

Following the incident, the NHL suspended Bertuzzi for the final 13 games of the regular season and Vancouver's seven playoff games. He must have a hearing with the league before he can be reinstated.

The ban cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 US of his $6.8-million annual salary while the Canucks were fined $250,000. Bertuzzi was also left off Team Canada's roster for this fall's World Cup.

Morris felt his client had been punished enough by the NHL without the criminal charge. The NHL also said it thought it had dealt with the matter appropriately but said it would co-operate with authorities as needed.

While not willing to discuss specifics of the Crown's case, Gaul said witnesses could be called from outside Canada. He would not comment on whether or not there have been discussions about the case with the National Hockey League.

Doust is the special prosecutor on the theft case of former MP Svend Robinson. He also worked as a prosecutor on the Air India terrorism case.

Leoppky is senior Crown prosecutor, Gaul said.

About a dozen fans clad in various styles of past and present Canuck jerseys gathered outside the courthouse to show support for the Vancouver Canucks winger.

One of them, 14-year-old Vivian Low, said Bertuzzi has been punished enough with the league's indefinite suspension.

Her friend Amy Chen, 14, held a sign proclaiming: ``I love you Bert.''

Chen doesn't see what all the fuss is about.

``What happens on the ice should stay on the ice,'' she said. ``It's different. It's hockey.''

Sixteen-year-old Nick Proulx said the hit on Moore left him in disbelief. But, he said, Canucks fans are behind Bertuzzi and want him back.

``I just wanted to get as close as I could,'' Proulx said when asked why he'd come to court. ''I'm a big Canuck supporter. Associations such as the NHL should police themselves.''

Inside the courtroom, media members outnumbered the primarily young and female fans three to one.

Bertuzzi reportedly put his West Vancouver home up for sale Monday for $2.49 million Cdn.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Aquaman
Bertuzzi reportedly put his West Vancouver home up for sale Monday for $2.49 million Cdn.

Cheers,
Aquaman

Damn. Can you spot me 50 cents Aquaman?

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Aquaman
Bertuzzi reportedly put his West Vancouver home up for sale Monday for $2.49 million Cdn.

Cheers,
Aquaman

Damn. Can you spot me 50 cents Aquaman?

OMGWATERMELON

I was going to ask you the same thing

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

I wonder if he'd take my collection of coke bottles and spare buttons?

 

[kalster]

OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its the Canucks

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: kalster
OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its the Canucks

OMGWATERMELON

Blackhawks fan OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster
OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its the Canucks

OMGWATERMELON

Blackhawks fan OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cheers,
Aquaman

I got so pissed off with the Blackhawks, I moved from Chicago to San Diego

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: kalster

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster
OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its the Canucks

OMGWATERMELON

Blackhawks fan OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cheers,
Aquaman

I got so pissed off with the Blackhawks, I moved from Chicago to San Diego

:Q Padres Fan

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster
OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

its the Canucks

OMGWATERMELON

Blackhawks fan OMG AIIEEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cheers,
Aquaman

I got so pissed off with the Blackhawks, I moved from Chicago to San Diego

:Q Padres Fan

Cheers,
Aquaman

Better than Expos