If you want to get a first-hand look at the next wave of Vancouver Canucks prospects, you can do so this weekend.
The team announced on Thursday that it will be opening up Rogers Arena for fans for Saturday and Sunday's prospects camp sessions.
Tickets also went on sale on Friday for the team's full training camp sessions in Victoria. They're $5.00, with partial proceeds to charity.
After Iron Maiden loaded out their massive production from Rogers Arena after their show on Tuesday, a large group of players hit the ice on Wednesday.
There was some concern earlier in the week about Olli Juolevi's status for prospects camp, but he had a good skate on Wednesday and, for now, has the green light to be a full participant.
On Thursday,
Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet had a chance to speak to Juolevi about the pressure of living up to his high draft position—chosen one spot before his London Knights teammate Matthew Tkachuk in 2016.
“If you get drafted at a lower number, it’s always different,” he said. “It’s easier to be in the shadows. But I don’t really care about my draft number. I’m happy to be here in Vancouver and I think we have great things to come.
“I don’t really follow (social media) too much, but I know there’s a lot of passionate fans who want to see me play in Vancouver, and that’s what I’m working to do. There’s been a lot of bad luck. But I hope I can now be healthy and show what I’ve got and get my chance.”
Juolevi admits that when he started strong last season after coming off back surgery, it was frustrating to get shut down again.
“Especially when all the injuries are things you couldn’t do much (to prevent), of course, you think: ‘Is there something I can do different?’ It’s frustrating for sure, but I hope all that is behind me. There’s been enough (setbacks) for me. That’s why I’m hoping to stay healthy now.”
For all the setbacks, Juolevi says he still believes in himself.
“I have the confidence all the time,” he said. “I know I am good. I knew last year whenever I got the chance, I was going to be helpful to the team. That’s the same mindset now. When I’m fully healthy and ready to go, I know I can help this team. Of course, you’ve got to be healthy to achieve your goals.”
Meanwhile, a buff and chipper Elias Pettersson spoke to
Ben Kuzma of The Province on Wednesday.
"I’m really motivated. I’m happy to be back," he said. "The last two weeks felt like a lifetime because I wanted to get back to Vancouver."
Described as looking "taller and thicker through the chest and shoulders," Pettersson said his lower body was his primary focus during his offseason training.
"I feel great. Quicker in tight turns and overall just more leg power. Last season, I kind of felt tired and not 100 per cent toward every game and that’s the focus," he said.
"This summer, I knew what I was preparing for to have more leg power and play a full 82-game season and hopefully the playoffs, too. I know what to expect now."
Sidney Crosby is known for his relentless work ethic, and I think we're learning that Pettersson is cut from the same cloth.
"After the world championship, I gave myself a one and a half week break to do nothing, but I also took a two-week break before the world championship," he told Kuzma. "I feel it’s boring to do nothing at home, and when I’m supposed to sleep I can’t because I’m still fresh. I like to rest, but not too much."
While he was in Slovakia for Worlds, he was a fixture on the practice rink as well as putting up 10 points in eight games for Team Sweden.
After the summer of dischord, it's interesting to see that Loui Eriksson is already back in town and skating with the group.
Kuzma did not share any quotes from him, but did get some thoughts from ever-optimistic Jim Benning on Eriksson's situation.
"I’ve been in contact with Loui and his agent the last couple of months and he’s going to sit and talk to Travis," Benning said. "He’s going to have a good camp and find where he fits. We still think he’s a good player and hasn’t scored like his contract would dictate how he should score.
"He’s still good on the penalty kill and plays in a matchup role. And at the end of the year, he played with Bo (Horvat) and (Tanner) Pearson and that was a good line. We have to find a fit and go from there."
In Chicago, Bo Horvat has been the Canucks' representative for the NHL's season-kickoff media tour, and was pretty open about his desire for the captaincy.
"It'd be an unbelievable honour to wear the 'C' — to wear any letter for that matter," he told Josh Clipperton of The Canadian Press. "Even to be in consideration is definitely humbling. But it wouldn't change who I am and it wouldn't change the type of player I want to be.
"I wouldn't let it affect me that way, but I'd just try to be the best leader I can be."
Of course, the Canucks went without a captain last year after Henrik Sedin's retirement. Horvat says he feels he learned what responsibilities he'd be taking on from watching how Henrik and Daniel handled themselves.
"Their last three years, it definitely wasn't easy standing in front of the media and taking the heat, and talking every single day," Horvat said. "Just watching it, you were like, 'How did these guys do it?' I kind of had that responsibility last year, so I got a little bit of practice.
"I'd be ready to make that next step."
Bo did acknowledge that getting the "C" was far from a done deal.
"It is nice to have a guy to lean on and a guy to go to when times are tough and have somebody to set the tone," he said. "But at the same time there's no rush for our team or any team to name one right away. It's obviously up to the (general manager) and the coaching staff to decide who they think is the best fit.
"We have a lot of great guys in our room."
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»