Daniel SprongB次元官网网址檚 road through the NHL has been a winding one.
After signing a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks, the 27-year-old scoring winger is looking to make his latest destination more than a pit stop.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping VancouverB次元官网网址檚 not just one year,B次元官网网址� Sprong said in a video call Monday. B次元官网网址淚 can see myself being there long term and thatB次元官网网址檚 really what excited me.B次元官网网址�
The Canucks did not release the value of the contract, but multiple reports have pegged it at US$975,000.
Vancouver will be the sixth NHL team Sprong has played for since he was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015.
The six-foot, 195-pound forward registered 18 goals and 25 assists in 76 appearances for the Detroit Red Wings last season. HeB次元官网网址檚 also had stints with the Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken.
Heading into free agency this summer, he felt confident.
Sprong admitted he was surprised when the market opened on July 1 and the right offer didnB次元官网网址檛 surface.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of a wake-up call, but at the same time, I think itB次元官网网址檚 also good motivation and kind of put some fuel to the fire,B次元官网网址� he said.
Eventually, Vancouver made its bid and a phone call with Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet sealed the deal.
B次元官网网址淭here were other teams but I felt the most comfortable and happiest with Vancouver when I talked on the phone and that made my decision very easy at the end,B次元官网网址� he said.
Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams award as the leagueB次元官网网址檚 top coach last season, has history with Sprong, having worked with him as an assistant bench boss in Pittsburgh.
SprongB次元官网网址檚 also familiar with Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin, both of whom were in the PenguinsB次元官网网址� front office when he was drafted.
B次元官网网址淭hey drafted me, theyB次元官网网址檝e believed in me from the second I got drafted,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚 think since then, IB次元官网网址檝e matured a lot, I think my game has developed. ThereB次元官网网址檚 still a part of my game that I want to fix. We talked about that on the phone, how weB次元官网网址檙e going to work on it, improve in that area. And thatB次元官网网址檚 only going to lead to bigger opportunity and, hopefully, more success for the team and myself.B次元官网网址�
Born in Amsterdam, Sprong and his family moved to Montreal when he was seven so he could have more opportunities in hockey. He was a standout for the QMJHLB次元官网网址檚 Charlottetown Islanders, leading the team with 88 regular-season points and another 11 in playoffs.
The jump to pro hockey hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been easy.
While heB次元官网网址檚 contributed 85 goals and 74 assists over 344 regular-season NHL games, Sprong has averaged 11:57 in ice time.
A lack of situational trust from coaches may have impacted how he has been used in the past, the winger said, noting that his defensive game hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been strong.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to work on it in Vancouver to gain the trust and be reliable in those situations,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 working on it over the summertime to work on those details.B次元官网网址�
SprongB次元官网网址檚 scoring touch will complement a Canucks offence that already boasts the likes of centre J.T. Miller, who finished last season with 103 points, and right-winger Brock Boeser, who registered 40 goals.
In addition to working on his defensive game, Sprong said heB次元官网网址檒l be sharpening his shot this summer to keep up his offensive output.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 not just working on your weaknesses, itB次元官网网址檚 working on your strengths so you keep evolving as a player. And I think over time IB次元官网网址檝e done that,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淎nd thereB次元官网网址檚 still things I want to fix. And I think if I fix those things, thereB次元官网网址檚 only positives and better outcomes.B次元官网网址�
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