The 1999-2000 Pre-season was filled with injuries, signings and the excitement of seeing guys like Steve Kariya skate for the first time. Here's everything important that happened, as we saw it...
30/09/99 - Finally!
Some good news!
The Canucks
announced a bunch of things today! It was a big day for roster moves!
The day started with the signing of Ed Jovanovski. Eddie has been
holding out for a while now, but with the injuries to Mattias Ohlund and
Bryan Allen the Canucks needed to do something and quick. And getting
Chris Joseph and John Namestnikov wasn't going to be it. So with
Eddie back the Canucks defense looks a lot stronger. Word is that
negotiations with Adrian Aucoin aren't going as well. Don't expect
to see him for a while unless he decides to settle for a lot less than
he's asking, which is still a BIG increase over last year's salary.
In other news, the Canucks also signed Greg Hawgood who was playing on
a try-out basis. Greg had said previously he would take any offer
than Canucks offered. Any NHL contract is better than no NHL contract!
And in other Canucks news, they acquired their 3rd player off waivers this
week, this time goalie Manny Legace from the Detroit Red Wings. He
played 13 games for the L.A. Kings last season and had 22 wins in 33 games
for the IHL's Long Beach Ice Dogs. Looks like he'll be playing down
in Syracuse either as starter or as back-up to Christian Bonsard. Or, if
the rumors are true that Garth Snow is somehow injured, he may even start
the season here. And finally in a stunning move, the team sent Matt
Cooke down to Syracuse in order to shorten the roster to the 23 player
limit. With the signing of Eddie Jo the Canucks will have to send
another player down now though. Most likely Zenith Komarninski or
John Namestnikov.
29/09/99 - They're
dropping like flies!
The Canucks
have placed yet another player in the injury reserve. And the lucky
player is... Josh Holden. Luckily this time it's not another one
of our defenseman! Holden has a hernia and was scheduled for surgery
today. He should be out for about 10-12 weeks. Josh came into
training camp much stronger than before after he weight-trained A LOT over
the summer. Maybe a little too much... During training camp
Josh felt a little uncomfortable but shook it off has just a hip flexor
injury. When the pre-season started it got a little bit worse, but
they just decided it was a strained abdominal muscle (which I've done and
is quite painful when you do any kind of physical activity!). Finally
while on the road trip out East it finally just ballooned and they discovered
it was a hernia. The doctors say that he may even come out of this
stronger. Poor Josh, who's had nothing but injury after injury since
being drafted 12th overall by the Canucks back in 1996 (sound like another
recent draft pick to you? See the end of the previous for more details).
In 1997, his hand was sliced open by a skate in a freak accident in a WHL
playoff game. He had to have plastic surgery to repair a bunch of
severed ligaments and it took him a long time to be able to use his hand
again. Last season Josh developed mono and was out for close to 2
months. Poor Josh! We hope he gets better soon!
27/09/99 - Here's
Johnny... and Chris... again...
Well,
some old faces will be seen when the Canucks take on the NY Rangers this
Saturday. The Canucks was very active today as the NHL Waiver draft
took place. The team picked up 2 defenseman who's names may, or may
not, sound familiar to Canuck fans. Yevgeny "John" Namestnikov and Chris
Joseph have found themselves back on the blueline for the Canucks.
Hopefully they can help us out until we get Aucoin and Jovanovski under
contract. Joseph's being doing well this pre-season with Ottawa,
scoring a goal (against the Canucks) and picking up 2 assists. Maybe
he can help us out offensively as well as defensively! We need someone
to score those goals that Aucoin won't be scoring! In other recent
news, Mattias Ohlund is out for the next week or so after getting hit in
the eye with a puck in last weeks game against the Leafs. He's been
diagnosed with a "bruised eyeball". Ouch. Also, Bryan Allen,
who's been unable to stay healthy since being drafted by the team in 1998,
is having his knee scoped again after it swelled up and started bothering
him in training camp. Our defenseman are dropping like flies...
24/09/99 - Canucks
Here to Stay?
With
the big news yesterday announcing the sale of the Vancouver Grizzlies to
the owner of Walmart and the St. Louis Blues, speculation is running high
that the Grizz are coming to the end of their stay north of the border.
However, Canucks/GM Place owner John McCaw has taken the Canucks OFF THE
MARKET!! The team is no longer for sale. At least for now,
our dreams and hearts have remained in one piece. Even so, just this
morning blabber-mouth (and that's just a toned down representation of how
I really feel about him) Neil McRae predicted that the Canucks would soon
be moving to Portland. There's only one thing to do: the Canucks
have to start winning. Then, fans will start going to the games again,
McCaw will get his money back and our team will be here to stay!!
20/09/99 - Congratulations?
Although the
rumours have been circulating for a while, during tonight's game, Mattias
Ohlund's engagement was made official. Although Mattias and his fiancé,
Linda, have not set a date, the wedding is supposed to take place sometime
before the 2000-2001 season. Well, congratulations to Mattias, boohoo
for us!
15/09/99 - Dave's
Deal Done
As predicted
in our last update, the Canucks did finish off the deal with one of our
boys, centre Dave Scatchard. Terms of the deal were not released,
so at this time, we are unaware whether the contract is for two or three
years, which was the point of disagreement between the two sides.
The only word out of the Canucks camp was an unofficial statement from
Dave Nonnis, who said that this deal was for Jodi, who remarked last night
that she missed Scatchard. Ok, maybe he didn't say that, but we all
agreed with Jodi! Welcome back, Dave!
** Just a note to add: Dave's contract is reportedly for 3 yrs and is worth somewhere between 1.8 and 2 million! Congratulations to Dave, we're all glad he didn't listen to the bad advice from his agent who was holding out for a shorter term.
14/09/99 - Canucks
Re-sign Schaefer
Today,
the Canucks announced the re-signing of left-winger Peter Schaefer.
In 25 games with the Canucks last year, Schaefer, 22, had four goals and
four assists. This signing, although it took longer than expected,
was nonetheless expected since Peter, like a very good boy, attended training
camp with the team. In other free agent news, Dave Scatchard is reportedly
much closer to re-signing after great talks today. * In the most exciting
news of the day, we attended the Canadiens/Canucks game tonight, and got
a look at the hockey god, Trevor Linden. He looks very, very nice
in red!! On behalf of the the other girls, let me tell you, that if the
fact that the Canucks lose too much is more than you can handle, the Habs
have a very good-looking team this year, so you can cheer for them!
12/09/99 - Pre-Season
starts!
Yay! Hockey
Season is officially under way as the Canucks played their first regular
season game tonight in Spokane against the San Jose Sharks. Steve
Kariya scored the lone Canucks goal, but it was enough as they managed
a 1-1 tie. Kevin Weeks, who is still looking for his first nhl win,
allowed the Shark goal within the first 2 minutes of the game. He bounced
back, though, and played strong throughout the rest of the game.
The team goes at it again Tuesday vs the Montreal Canadiens. Check
back for an in depth update as we'll be at the game and will have lots
to tell on the players trying to make the team (looks AND talent...)!
11/09/99 - Mr.
Scatchard: Take it or Leave it!
The Canucks
offered free agent Dave Scatchard a "take it or leave it" contract offer
this weekend, in a final attempt to get the centre back in time for the
pre-season. Apparently, in a change from most contract disputes,
money is not the difference between the two sides. Instead, Scatchard
and his agent are trying to reduce the contract from three years to just
two, when Dave will be eligible for salary arbitration. However,
the team does not seem willing to budge. No word yet on whether Scatchard
will accept the contract and re-join the team. --- In other NHL news, Pittsburgh
Penguins superstar Jagr showed up for practice Saturday with REALLY SHORT
HAIR!! Well, thank goodness.
08/09/99 - Trevor
the Great
Just when you
thought that Trevor Linden couldn't do anymore, he goes and does it.
Last week Trevor joined his friend John Ryan, and handcycled 60 kms
through interior B.C. Ryan, a paraplegic as the result of a car accident
in November of 1994, has been handcycling accross the country since May
1st to raise money for spinal cord regeneration research. Trevor
not only donated his time, he also donated 18 autographed jerseys.
Ryan has raised over $670,000, although he was hoping to raise closer to
$5 million. Oh well, I guess every little bit helps. Donations
can be made at any Eddie Bauer store. To read more about this wonderful
story (and wonderful man Trevor) CLICK
HERE
08/09/99 - 3rd
Day at Camp
Finally some
action! The first fight at training camp took place today, something we
haven't seen in a couple years as Mike Keenan prohibited fighting at last
year's camp. Surprisingly, the fight did not involve Mike Brown.
Nor did it involve Donald Brashear. It didn't even involve Brad May
or Jason Strudwick. It was Josh Holden and Harry York!
Both players shrugged it off saying that's what happens when everyone's
fighting for a spot on the roster. As Matt Cooke said, "At camp,
there's no friends". His friend and teammate during the season, Peter
Schaeffer is still unsigned, although he does have a new haircut!
Short little crew cut. Good! Cause his hair was looking a little
big when we saw him last week... For camp pictures CLICK
HERE
07/09/99 - 2nd
Day at Camp
Well, Billy
Muckalt continued to shine today scoring another goal and leading all players
with 3. This goal total should actually be 4, but one of his goals
went unnoticed as it went right through the mesh and out the other side
of the net! Most surprising, though, has to be the feisty play of
Matt Cooke. Even with stitches and 2 black eyes, he still managed
to knock the wind out of prospect Martin Gendron. Peter Schaeffer
still has yet to sign a contract...
06/09/99 - 1st
Day at Camp
Dear mom, First
day at camp was great... just kidding. Well, here's a few notes from
the first day of training camp up in Kamloops. It seems Bryan Allen
is ailing again, this time with a sore shoulder that he hurt when checked
into the boards. He assures us it's nothing and that it won't keep
him from trying his best to make the team (a spot he's already assured
of with Jovanovski and Aucoin still holding out). Marc Crawford said
Mattias had the best day, Billy Muckalt had the most goals with 2, Artem
Chubarov is a "definite, definite prospect" and that Peter Schaeffer (who's
close to a contract) and Josh Holden didn't have the greatest days.
06/09/99 - Training
Camp Kicks Off
This year marks
the 30th anniversary of the Canucks as an NHL franchise. This season's
training camp is being held in Kamloops, instead of Whistler. The
idea behind this is to bring the team closer together, something that was
more difficult to achieve going to Whistler where all the guys drove themselves
up and Burke didn't feel that it was lending itself to the kind of close
knit team he envisioned. This is also Marc Crawford's first training
camp with the team and will hopefully cement his relationship with the
players, something not easily accomplished starting mid-season. For
the next week the veterans will be shaping up to start their jobs, while
some of the younger guys and future prospects like Steve Kariya and Josh
Holden will be skating hard trying to earn a spot on the bench for the
regular season. Steve Kariya is definitely one to watch for; he's
got wheels on him like we haven't seen since Pavel Bure and Russ Courtnall
were around! And he's a size that we haven't seen since Cliff Ronning.