Kevin Connauton's "extra-half-step" opportunity in Chicago
Patrick Johnston
September 24 2012 04:42PM
Kevin Connauton (right) hopes to be back sharing a bench with the Sedins in short order.
After stepping up the defensive side of his game last season, Canucks defence prospect Kevin Connauton was poised to push for an NHL roster spot at training camp this fall. With the lockout intervening, however, Connauton is headed back to Chicago for another few months of AHL action (at least). How does a guy prepare himself mentally for this, and might going back to the AHL be a blessing in disguise? After the Canucks practiced today, we caught up with Connauton and Chris Higgins (who was in Connauton's shoes during the 2004-05 lockout) about the "little, extra half step" that otherwise NHL ready young players will take in the AHL this season.
Zero Progress, but lots of Empty Rhetoric: Recapping the First Week of the NHL Lockout
Patrick Johnston
September 23 2012 05:26PM
A week ago I wrote about how the media have been on the fans' side and are pretty cynical about the position of owners (certainly) and players (somewhat less). A public relations battle has emerged, but what is there for either side to gain, really? The owners would seem to care about what the fans think, but they also know they hold almost all the chips. They have the money to pay the players and they control the venues for where the fans get to watch the games and spend their money.
The narrative a week ago was focused on fans getting screwed; this week that thread remained, to a degree, but questions about how the players are going to hold up in the coming weeks and months became a more dominant story - even though the players have yet to miss the first cheque as a result of the lockout.
In a week where little movement appeared in either side's position, there was still plenty written. Let's have a look.
Headshots September 19th
Patrick Johnston
September 19 2012 04:45PM
Apparently ESPN has some sort of sports fan hall of fame? Well some locals you may have heard of are in the inaugural class.
Headshots are a Canucks Army feature where we link to the day's freshest news, and other assorted Canucks web-goodies. If you've written a blogpost, produced a tribute video, birthed a clever .gif into existence, or have a hockey related cause you'd like to see promoted in this space - please e-mail Thom at thom.drance@gmail.com.
Pat Quinn on the Giants, Canucks and Hockey History
Patrick Johnston
September 18 2012 10:21AM
Pat Quinn being honoured four years ago at the Pacific Coliseum (photo: Sean Hagen/wikimedia commons)
The Vancouver Giants announced something of a lockout-blowout on Monday morning. The WHL Club is offering special prices for their first three home games of the season, they've unveiled vintage Canucks throw back jerseys and they're being aggressive in the hopes of drawing the support of those fans who are frustrated that they can't pay to go see their NHL heroes.
After the announcement, ex-Canucks player, coach and president (and current Giants co-owner) Pat Quinn spoke with Canucks Army about his time in management in Vancouver, his role with the Giants, his feelings on the lockout and his plans to write a book.
Click past the jump for more insight.
Lockout considerations
Patrick Johnston
September 15 2012 05:01PM
Speaking with lawyers is often a good way to get to the root of the argument.
Earlier this week, some interesting concepts emerged from a recent conversation I had with a pair of lawyers I know in Toronto. With the lockout beginning officially on Saturday night at 11:59 PM EST, I figured I'd share four points of particular interest. Check them out after the jump.
