Vancouver Canucks
I’m off to watch the game tonight, where the Vancouver Canucks will massacre the lowly (golf-playing, Tiger Woods supporting, playoff-watching) Calgary Flames. Let’s go Hank! F Ovie! Vancouver Canucks FTW!
The Green Men from the Vancouver Canucks games interviewed on Global BC News, and then doing their thing during Mark Madriga’s weather report. RA
![My favorite Vancouver Canuck.
Because of this story in the Boston Globe, Kevin Paul Dupont, Some half-formed opinions: Break in the action good time to take stock, January 21, 2007:
Bieksa has been a knockout for surging Canucks
The Canucks, a blistering 10-2-0 despite Friday night’s loss in Buffalo, are finally seeing the fruits of acquiring franchise goalie Roberto Luongo, whom the Panthers dropped on Vancouver’s doorstep on the eve of last June’s amateur draft.
Another key for the hard-charging Canucks has been the fast-forward development of blue liner Kevin Bieksa, drafted 151st in 2001. He played half the 2005-06 season and this year has developed into the squad’s top point-getting defenseman (8-20—28 entering last night).
“Great kid,” said Ducks general manager Brian Burke, who was Canucks GM when they drafted Bieksa. “And a great story.”
Uncertain whether he wanted to sign Bieksa following the defenseman’s senior season at Bowling Green, Burke invited him to the Manitoba Moose (AHL). His first night with the club, Burke recalled, the 6-foot-1-inch Bieksa didn’t play, but that night he joined his new teammates at a local pub.
“He’s in there, having a good time, and he bumps the table of another of our kids, Fedor Fedorov,” said Burke. (Fedorov, brother of the better known Sergei, is now back in Russia, playing for Yaroslavl.) “Well, one thing leads to another, and Fedorov, a pretty good-sized kid [6 foot 3 inches, 230 pounds], asks Bieksa if he wants to take it outside. So, Bieksa’s a willing kid, and says, ‘Sure, let’s go!’ “
Out to the parking lot the two went, and according to Burke, Bieksa KO’d the bigger Fedorov with one punch.
“Down and out!” recalled Burke. “The next day, I’m talking to [assistant GM Steve Tambellini], and I guess Bieksa was all worried about it, saying to Tamby, “Oh, geez, I’m all done, Burkie’s going to be really [steamed], I show up and knock out one of his own guys.’ I listen to Tamby and I say, ‘Are you kidding me? I love that. Sign him — today!’ “
Bieksa, 25, is on the books this year for a Kmart price of $500,000 and will jump to $550,000 next season.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kq8uuzSgfO1qa2h4oo1_500.jpg)
My favorite Vancouver Canuck.
Because of this story in the Boston Globe, Kevin Paul Dupont, Some half-formed opinions: Break in the action good time to take stock, January 21, 2007:
Bieksa has been a knockout for surging Canucks
The Canucks, a blistering 10-2-0 despite Friday night’s loss in Buffalo, are finally seeing the fruits of acquiring franchise goalie Roberto Luongo, whom the Panthers dropped on Vancouver’s doorstep on the eve of last June’s amateur draft.
Another key for the hard-charging Canucks has been the fast-forward development of blue liner Kevin Bieksa, drafted 151st in 2001. He played half the 2005-06 season and this year has developed into the squad’s top point-getting defenseman (8-20—28 entering last night).
“Great kid,” said Ducks general manager Brian Burke, who was Canucks GM when they drafted Bieksa. “And a great story.”
Uncertain whether he wanted to sign Bieksa following the defenseman’s senior season at Bowling Green, Burke invited him to the Manitoba Moose (AHL). His first night with the club, Burke recalled, the 6-foot-1-inch Bieksa didn’t play, but that night he joined his new teammates at a local pub.
“He’s in there, having a good time, and he bumps the table of another of our kids, Fedor Fedorov,” said Burke. (Fedorov, brother of the better known Sergei, is now back in Russia, playing for Yaroslavl.) “Well, one thing leads to another, and Fedorov, a pretty good-sized kid [6 foot 3 inches, 230 pounds], asks Bieksa if he wants to take it outside. So, Bieksa’s a willing kid, and says, ‘Sure, let’s go!’ “
Out to the parking lot the two went, and according to Burke, Bieksa KO’d the bigger Fedorov with one punch.
“Down and out!” recalled Burke. “The next day, I’m talking to [assistant GM Steve Tambellini], and I guess Bieksa was all worried about it, saying to Tamby, “Oh, geez, I’m all done, Burkie’s going to be really [steamed], I show up and knock out one of his own guys.’ I listen to Tamby and I say, ‘Are you kidding me? I love that. Sign him — today!’ “
Bieksa, 25, is on the books this year for a Kmart price of $500,000 and will jump to $550,000 next season.
