Official: Vancouver Canucks W00T

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster
why are there fewer views than posts in this thread

See this thread

Cheers,
Aquaman

You got snow in Vancouver yet???

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Qosis
I so dearly miss hockey

Huh :Q We are getting the BEST HOCKEY EVER in Europe...

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: kalster
why are there fewer views than posts in this thread

See this thread

Cheers,
Aquaman

You got snow in Vancouver yet???

Nope......... only rain

Seriously we maybe get a week of snow a year if any......... unless it's a freak year and we get 60+ cm of snow in 12 hours

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: Qosis
I so dearly miss hockey

Huh :Q We are getting the BEST HOCKEY EVER in Europe...

:| may your first born child have a Canadian Maple leaf Birthmark on his/her face

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: DaFinn

Originally posted by: Qosis
I so dearly miss hockey

Huh :Q We are getting the BEST HOCKEY EVER in Europe...

:| may your first born child have a Canadian Maple leaf Birthmark on his/her face

Cheers,
Aquaman

Heh, too late. He's almost 2 already... 16 more years, and he'll be ready to kick some Canadian ass in hockey

 

[sandorski]

:beer: x 6

[phlaklept] Do you really wanna hurt meeee? Do you really wanna make me cryyyyyy? [/]

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: sandorski
:beer: x 6

[phlaklept] Do you really wanna hurt meeee? Do you really wanna make me cryyyyyy? [/]

:thumbsup: great commercal

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Aquilini buys 50 percent of Canucks

Canadian Press
11/16/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - After 15 years as a season ticket-holder, local businessman Francesco Aquilini has decided to move into the Vancouver Canucks owner's suite.

Aquilini has agreed to purchase 50 per cent of the Canucks and GM Place from Seattle billionaire John McCaw with the promise to keep the team in Vancouver and not to meddle in its daily operations.

``We're committed to be investors and not managers,'' Aquilini told a news conference Wednesday. ``We told John and the management team that we like the direction the team is going and it's our intention to leave the day-to-day running of the team. . . to the people who do it best. They're only likely to see us at home games.''

The deal still must be approved by the NHL.

Neither Aquilini nor Stanley McCammon, president and chief executive officer for Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, would comment on a purchase price. But Forbes magazine estimated the Canucks' worth as $148 million US, 15th among the 30 NHL clubs, earlier this month.

``We got a fair deal and we're very happy,'' said Aquilini, who is managing director of Aquilini Investment Group Inc., a private family-run business.

Aquilini, 44, also showed some stickhandling ability when asked if his company plans to increase its share of the Canucks.

``The details of the transaction are not public and we're not going to discuss that,'' he said.

McCammon said McCaw wants to continue as a team owner.

The sale to Aquilini follows the collapse of a deal involving Vancouver-area businessmen Tom Gaglardi and Ryan Beedie. They were said to be in negotiations to buy the team and GM Place for around $250 million Cdn.

``We were unable to reach a conclusion that satisfied all the parties and issues and we terminated conversations with them,'' said McCammon.

He doesn't foresee any problems with two equal owners disagreeing.

``There is a dispute mechanism built into an contractual relationship,'' he said. ``I think we have one that will work well.''

McCammon has known Aquilini for about four years. There have been discussions in the past but talks began in earnest about two weeks ago.

The timing of the agreement came as a surprise. The NHL owners have locked out the players in hopes of instituting a salary cap. The labour dispute could mean no hockey this season and extend into next year.

Aquilini is confident in the NHL's long-term survival.

``The NHL has been around 80 years and will be around many more years,'' he said. ``Every business has its issues. I'm confident there will be a quick resolution and we'll get back to playing hockey.''

McCaw, a reclusive figure who rarely speaks to the media, took over ownership of the team in 1996.

For years the Canucks were bad on the ice, ignored by the public and a drain on McCaw's back account. It's estimated he lost $90 million Cdn.

With Brian Burke as general manager, the Canucks added talent while controlling costs. The Canucks now play before sellout crowds and are believed to have made a profit of around $50 million Cdn the last two seasons.

Any club that can make money without a salary cap makes it attractive to investors, said Stephen Ross, a University of Illinois sports law professor who has studied the issue of salary caps.

``If the Vancouver Canucks can make money in an environment where there is no cost certainty, then they can make even more money in an environment where there is cost certainty,'' said Ross.

Burke was released as general manager this spring and replaced by Dave Nonis.

The Aquilini group was founded almost 50 years ago by Luigi Aquilini, Francesco's father. One of his first investments was a house he purchased in East Vancouver.

The company now has a real estate portfolio that includes commercial and residential property, hotels and golf courses. It also has significant agricultural holdings, including blueberry and cranberry farms.

Aquilini said it's important to have a local businessman own part of the team.

``Local ownership adds value, it puts deeper roots in the community,'' he said. ``I think it's a good thing. People have been wanting that for a long time.''

Trevor Linden, one of the longest serving Canucks, welcomed news of the sale.

``We've had great ownership in Vancouver and that's transcended into great management,'' Linden said in Chicago during a meeting of the NHL Players' Association.

``They've both done a great job and put together a great product, and have done extremely well the last few years. You want that to continue.''

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Too bad about the lions

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

Yeah, but at least they played

Got season tickets for next year already. I just hope Printers is still around. He's who I want to see.

 

[Aquaman]

I think he may be gone............ Wally may stick with Dave

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

He's under contract for next year. I really like him though. He was a lot of fun to watch.

 

[silverpig]

He's under contract for next year. I really like him though. He was a lot of fun to watch.

 

[silverpig]

Ha. DP due to out of memory error

 

[Aquaman]

I heard Steve Borato (sp?) may be going to Edmonton.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[venk]

Lets go Red Wings.

Lets go Red Wings.

 

[clicknext]

The WHL vs Russian Selects game on right now is good. Well, at least good for the Canadians. Middle of the 3rd and raping the Russians 5-0. Some very good plays by the WHL players. Can't wait for the world juniors.

 

[clicknext]

6-0 now.

 

[Aquaman]

Loaded charity game is Vancouver's closest thing to NHL

VANCOUVER (mytelus.com) ? For a guy who has made a career out of trading punches with his peers, Brad May still seems to have a lot of friends in the National Hockey League.
Thirty-four of them are getting together at the request of the veteran Vancouver Canucks tough guy to play in the Brad May and Friends Hockey Challenge on Sunday, Dec. 12. Most plan to stay with May's charity tour for stops in Prince George Dec. 14 and Kamloops Dec. 15.

In addition to all-star teammates Markus Naslund, Ed Jovanovski and Mattias Ohlund, May confirmed Wednesday that Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla and Dallas Stars captain Mike Modano were also taking part in the events, which will raise money for a variety of local charities.

May?s Vancouver game, which features locked-out NHLers against the junior hockey Giants, sold all 16,400 tickets at the Pacific Coliseum just four days after it was originally announced. It will now also be broadcast live on MOJO AM730 sports radio in Vancouver, across Canada via satellite, and to the rest of the world online.

The majority of money raised will go towards the Canucks Place Children?s Hospice, which due to the ongoing NHL lockout, is missing the operating revenue it usually generates from 50-50 draws at Canucks home games. Early estimates had Canucks Place receiving at least $300,000 from the game, and May sounded optimistic the addition of corporate sponsors could increase that total significantly.

That?s good, because Naslund sounded less optimistic there would be any NHL games to provide a fundraising avenue in the near future.

With the lockout already 77 days old on Wednesday, and the NHL and NHL Players? Association not negotiating since Sept. 9, May?s charity games could be the closest Vancouver fans come to watching the Canucks all season. Maybe longer, warned Naslund.

"It doesn?t look promising," said Naslund. "I still think there?s hope and I?m going to hang on to that hope, but it?s unfortunate that it?s gotten this far."

The NHL remains locked on a salary cap proposal the NHLPA is adamantly opposed to. Asked why he was optimistic with both sides still so far apart, Naslund said it was "just ridiculous" to him that they?d wipe out a full season - something that could happen if a deal isn't struck within the month.

"It doesn?t make any sense to me. If the NHL thinks it?s going to be a different story six months from now, they?re wrong," said the Canucks captain. "I?m hoping we?re not going to be stuck arguing over the exact same thing a year from now. We?ll see, but if it goes a year and we?re still stuck in the same thing, you might as well go two [seasons]."

Naslund may not be around either way. He admitted there?s pressure to return to Sweden in early January and join boyhood friend Peter Forsberg and Canucks teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin playing for the hometown Modo team. But he was adamant he hasn?t made any commitments just yet.

Beyond that, he stands to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and has talked openly in the past about going home to Sweden with his young family for good. All of which means May?s game could also be the last time local fans get to see him play in Vancouver.

"I?m not going to shut any doors," insisted Naslund. "I still enjoy this team, I enjoy the city and I enjoy playing here."

So do a lot of other NHL stars, which is why May said he had such an easy time convincing players to join him for a good cause.

Among the confirmed NHL players taking part are Jason Allison, formerly of the L.A. Kings, Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes, Darryl Sydor of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, Canadian Olympians Eric Brewer and Ryan Smyth of Edmonton.

May has also confirmed Canucks teammates Matt Cooke, Dan Cloutier, Brent Sopel and Mike Keane. As for currently suspended star Todd Bertuzzi, May said his close friend and Vancouver teammate has been invited - but May stopped well short of announcing his attendance.

Bertuzzi, who hasn?t played in public since his March 8 sucker-punch attack on Colorado?s Steve Moore, is suspended indefinitely by the NHL and scheduled to appear in Vancouver court Jan. 17 to face assault charges from the incident.

"We really want him to be a part of this, and Todd does too," May said, adding he didn?t know Bertuzzi?s intentions and wouldn?t reveal them before ?day of? even if he did. "He has other opportunities. I don?t want there to be any undue pressure by saying he?s going to be here."

May could use another friend in the lineup, because he?s got a long list of former NHL sparring partners coming, including noted Oilers? pugilist Georges Laraque, Nashville?s Shane Hnidy, Ottawa?s Chris Neil, and Phoenix instigator Tyson Nash. Toronto equivalent Darcy Tucker was also invited, but on one condition.

"Only if Darcy keeps his chinstrap tight and doesn?t flop around like he does in the regular league," said May.

Not that he has to worry about too much rough stuff. While the format has yet to be finalized, May admitted there won?t be much in the way of physical play ? "the last thing anyone wants is an injury," he said. Even so, it didn?t take long to sell out tickets that averaged around $20.

Maybe fans also know it?s the closest thing to a Canucks game they?ll see for a long time.

ICE CHIPS

The rest of the confirmed player list: Stu Barnes, Bob Boughner, Scott Hannan, Mike Johnson, Olaf Kolzig, Claude Lemieux, Richard Matvichuk, Marty Murray, Lyle Odelein, Fernando Pisani, Cliff Ronning, Todd Simpson, Steve Staios, and Jason Strudwick. ? Of all the potential future scenarios for hockey in North America, Naslund doesn?t consider using replacement players in the NHL a viable one. ?It?s not the NHL with replacement players,? he said. ?I have a very tough time seeing buildings full and fans excited watching everyone that never had a chance to make it or the bottom part of the league play. The fans are out there to watch the best players play.?

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[clicknext]

Aw, I wish I went out and bought a ticket (that's if I could get my hands on one, I wonder how they sold them).

 

[Aquaman]

Bertuzzi cheered at charity game

Canadian Press
12/12/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - Todd Bertuzzi was back playing hockey Sunday, once again hearing the cheers of an appreciative Vancouver crowd.

The suspended Vancouver Canuck forward returned to the ice for a charity game, organized by his close friend and teammate Brad May.

"When Brad called me it was basically a no-brainer to come out here and hang out with the guys and be with the guys again," said Bertuzzi, who briefly talked to reporters after the game but didn't take any questions.

"It was an enjoyable time."

Bertuzzi's next appearance in Vancouver could be for his Jan. 17 court date on assault charges arising from his sucker punch on Colorado Avalanche rookie Steve Moore.

The rugged forward, who combines a violinist's soft hands around the net with a construction worker's strength in the corners, has kept a low profile since being suspended from the league following the March 8 incident with Moore.

"I want to thank all the people for respecting my privacy the past little while, the fans of Vancouver and the fans around the world," said Bertuzzi, who lives in Kitchener, Ont., during the off-season.

"I appreciate the support. I'm looking forward to getting back and playing hockey again."

Bertuzzi was one of about 30 locked-out NHL players who teamed up with members of the Western Hockey League Vancouver Giants to participate in the fun game.

Two hours before the game fans were streaming into the old Pacific Coliseum, now home to the Giants but once the lair of the Canucks. Kids dressed in Canucks sweaters stood in line for autographs with players.

The sold out crowd of 16,878 gave Bertuzzi a deafening, prolonged standing ovation when he skated onto the ice during the pre-game introduction. There were shouts of "I love you Todd."

Bertuzzi acknowledged the adulation by saluting the crowd with a wave of his stick.

He didn't disappoint during the game. He scored one goal and assisted on another, feathering a pass to Canuck linemate Markus Naslund.

"It's been a while and it's always a treat to play with Todd," said Naslund.

"The city is behind him and I'm sure it's nice for him to know that."

Two hours before the game fans were streaming into the old Pacific Coliseum. Kids dressed in Canucks sweaters stood in line for autographs with players.

Fans were excited to see NHL stars like Jarome Iginla, Scott Hannan and Olaf Kolzig play beside Giants like Gilbert Brule and Adam Courchaine, but the biggest attraction was Bertuzzi.

"We miss hockey," said Jeremy Lim, dressed in a Canuck seater with Bertuzzi's No. 44 on the back.

"When I heard Todd was going to be playing it was a bonus."

Brenda Balfour brought her three children to the game. While her son Matthew was anxious to watch Naslund the rest of the family were cheering for Bertuzzi.

They were ready to forgive and forget what happened with Moore.

"I think he's great and I don't like what's happened to him," said Balfour.

"I see other things similar happening with other players and I just think he got a bad rap."

Canuck Trevor Linden wasn't surprised by the crowd's reaction.

"I thought it was great for Todd to come back and get this reception," said Linden.

"I expected that."

The game was expected to raise over $500,000 for charities with the bulk of the money going to Canuck Place Children's Hospice.

Tickets sold for $20 and $25 dollars. T-shirts went for $20 and parking jumped to $12.50 from the usual $6.50.

Bertuzzi's attack on Moore drew universal condemnation but didn't tarnish his image with his legion of faithful followers in Vancouver.

"It was bad, the blind hit," shrugged Lim.

"But all of us when we get frustrated, especially in sports, do the occasional bump."

Bertuzzi has not spoken publicly about the incident since breaking down in tears while offering an apology to Moore.

The game was played for fun but the business of sport wasn't far from many of the players' minds.

The NHL and the players union are meeting again Tuesday in Toronto. Last week the players offered a 24-per-cent rollback in salaries, along with other concessions, as a way to end the lockout.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has often said the owners need some sort of cost certainty, generally considered a salary cap, to stop the league from losing money.

Linden, president of the NHL Players Association, hopes the latest offer could save the season.

"It's going to be interesting for sure," Linden said about the next meeting.

"The players have laid it out there. We have given and given and we are pretty much at the end. With what strides the players have taken to get the game back on the ice it leads me to be hopeful."

Brad Lukowich, who wore the Stanley Cup ring he won this spring with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was more cautious.

"It's hard to say what's going to happen," said Lukowich.

"We've offered so many things back. They just seem to have their eyes set on this one thing (a salary cap). We just want to play. The one thing we didn't give them was a salary cap and that's the one thing we said we're not going to."

The list of Canucks playing included goaltender Dan Cloutier, defenceman Ed Jovanovski, rugged forward Matt Cooke and defenceman Mattias Ohlund.

Other NHL players include Tyson Nash, Ryan Smyth, Steve Staios, Darcy Tucker, Darryl Sydor and Georges Laraque.

The NHL players and Giants were divided into four teams. There were two games of 30 minutes each with a shootout in between.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Report: Bertuzzi close to plea bargain

TSN.ca Staff
12/17/2004

Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi might not be going to trial after all.

According to Friday's Vancouver Province, Bertuzzi's defence team and the Crown are very close to a plea bargain deal.

Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm stemming from his attack on Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore on March 8.

If negotiations between the two sides are successful, and the judge agrees to the Crown's sentencing recommendation, a conditional sentence would most likely be given.

Pat Morris, Bertuzzi's agent, would neither confirm nor deny the possibility of a deal Friday morning.

``Our approach through this whole process has been to keep matters between Todd, his lawyer and myself involving the criminal case private and we will continue to be consistent in that position,'' Morris told The Canadian Press.

Bertuzzi's case is scheduled to begin on January 17. The maximum sentence if convicted is 18 months.

Regardless of what happens with the plea bargain, Bertuzzi could still face a civil suit from Moore.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Morrison wants to get back to NHL

Canadian Press
12/19/2004

LINKOPING, Sweden (CP) - While other locked-out NHL players have slinked home, Brendan Morrison is thriving in the Swedish Elite League.

The Vancouver Canucks' forward is part of Sweden's most dangerous line with fellow NHLers Mike Knuble and Kristian Huselius with Linkoping HC.

"We're NHL guys and we think similarly and we clicked right off the bat," Morrison said Sunday after each scored a goal in a 6-4 exhibition win over the Worldstars, a barnstorming team of locked out players.

"The team took a gamble in bringing us over here and we don't want to not produce for them. And the team's winning, that's what matters."

Morrison is tied for second in league scoring with 13 goals and 18 assists in 29 games, two points behind Peter Forsberg of Modo.

And Linkoping, in only their fourth year in the Elite League, sits second to Frolunda in the standings.

Part of their success was bringing the right NHL players over at the right time, said team president Mike Helber, an Ann Arbor, Mich., native who played 10 seasons for the team.

"We signed Huselius in July and Morrison and Knuble in August, so they could get moved and settled in," he said. "We didn't want to bring guys in the middle of September."

Morrison said that may have been the problem for five NHL players who joined Swedish teams only to either leave or be asked to leave this season, including Bryan McCabe and Brian Boucher of the HV71 club, Mike Comrie of Farjestad, Marty Turco of Djurgarden and Tyler Anderson of Brynas.

"Probably the biggest reason is that they came two months into the season," said Morrison. "They hadn't been playing competitively and then they got thrown into the fire.

"This is a competitive hockey league. If you come over thinking you can get by playing half-assed, it's not going to happen."

"Hopefully, we can feed some hockey appetite back home," said Morrison. "It will be interesting for people to watch.

"It's a different style - a lot more puck possession and bigger ice."

Still, Morrison would rather be playing on Hockey Night in Canada.

"Growing up in Canada, your ultimate dream is to play in the NHL and when it's taken away from you, it's really frustrating," said the native of Pitt Meadows, B.C. "But my reason for coming here is to get a new focus, have a life experience with my family and to keep playing.

"But I miss it."

If the lockout continues, look for more NHL players to land in Europe. Montreal goaltender Jose Theodore is reportedly to join Djurgarden in Stockholm while Worldstars' forward Anson Carter may also sign with a Swedish club.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Naslund, Theodore to play in Sweden

TSN.ca Staff
12/20/2004

Three more prominent NHLers will head to Europe after Christmas, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation website. Vancouver's Markus Naslund, Montreal's Jose Theodore and Manny Legace of Detroit will all head overseas in the wake of the NHL lockout.

Naslund, who resisted the urge to play in his homeland during the early stage of the lockout for to tax reasons, will suit up for Swedish club Modo.

Theodore has accepted an offer to tend goal for another Swedish team, Djurgarden Stockholm, while Legace will play in the Russian League for Khimik Voskresensk.

Since the NHL lockout began, more than 300 NHL players have moved overseas to play in various European leagues, according to the IIHF.

That number was reduced by one on Sunday when Swedish club Farjestad released Phoenix forward Mike Comrie.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Report: Bertuzzi may plead guilty

Canadian Press
12/21/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi will accept a plea bargain in court Wednesday, says a broadcast report.

CBC Newsworld, quoting a source close to the investigation, says Bertuzzi will plead guilty to assaulting Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche in a game in March. It reported that Bertuzzi will receive a conditional discharge.

That would mean he would not have a criminal record, but the CBC says the agreement would require him to do community service.

The B.C. Crown confirmed Tuesday that Bertuzzi will make a court appearance Wednesday, but had no further comment. Bertuzzi was scheduled to stand trial Jan. 17 for a punch that left Moore with a broken neck and concusssion.

The NHL suspended Bertuzzi for the rest of the regular season, and the playoffs. There were published reports last week that Bertuzzi was close to a plea bargain, but there was no official word.

Cheers,
Aquaman