From the top of hockey operations to how its farm team trains and plays, the Vancouver Canucks maintain theyB次元官网网址檙e all aligned heading into the start of the new NHL season.
President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said the difference between this season and the previous one, besides last seasonB次元官网网址檚 addition of Rick Tocchet as head coach to replace Bruce Boudreau, is the communication between all levels of the hockey operations group.
B次元官网网址淲e have a group that is together now, and aligned in a sense of how we want to do things, how we want to play,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 like our staff. Abbotsford (VancouverB次元官网网址檚 AHL affiliate), they play the same way as the Canucks play. The same system.
B次元官网网址淕uys when they get called up here, they arenB次元官网网址檛 taking two or three games to figure out how to play B次元官网网址� it gives all the players a better chance at being successful.B次元官网网址�
Rutherford, general manager Patrik Allvin and Tocchet spoke to media ahead of the Canucks training camp, starting Thursday in Victoria.
Tocchet, Rutherford said, hosted a coachB次元官网网址檚 seminar in Whistler a few weeks ago, with Abbotsford head coach Jeremy Colliton also in attendance.
Colliton shared input too, highlighting the togetherness between the coaches at both levels, Rutherford added.
The message of alignment was shared by Allvin, who said coaches and management B次元官网网址渟peak the same language.B次元官网网址�
The Canucks finished 38-37-7 last season. They started with seven straight losses, two in overtime, eventually losing 14 of their first 23 games of the season.
B次元官网网址淭he start is a big thing around here,B次元官网网址� said Tocchet. B次元官网网址淚 told the players: B次元官网网址楧onB次元官网网址檛 worry about the start, worry about the first day of camp, then weB次元官网网址檒l go from the second day.B次元官网网址� I know itB次元官网网址檚 a clich茅, but I believe in that. One step at a time, one brick at a time.B次元官网网址�
Vancouver failed to make the playoffs for a third straight year, prompting questions about how this year will be different for a team that says itB次元官网网址檚 still in the rebuilding process.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 still work to be done. We havenB次元官网网址檛 even qualified for the playoffs yet and weB次元官网网址檙e trying to clean up some things,B次元官网网址� said Rutherford. B次元官网网址淭o be very to the point: the changes that we made, we have a playoff team if everything goes right.B次元官网网址�
But that would mean avoiding injuries and players losing form at inopportune times, Rutherford said.
The Canucks will enter training camp with no players signed to professional tryout contracts, with the focus on developing their own young players.
B次元官网网址淲e talked about a couple names, but we also feel that a lot of young players deserve a chance,B次元官网网址� said Allvin. B次元官网网址淭he way they performed in Abbotsford last year, last week in Penticton, we were very excited about some of the young guys, and we want them in a position to succeed here.B次元官网网址�
The Canucks will spend four days in Victoria for training camp, with Tocchet saying his focus will be on educating players.
B次元官网网址淧eople overblow a hard camp,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an educational camp. ItB次元官网网址檚 system, itB次元官网网址檚 battle drills, itB次元官网网址檚 off ice workouts. ItB次元官网网址檚 all calculated.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 be dumb to run the guys into the ground the first three days.B次元官网网址�
POOLMAN SIDELINED
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tucker Poolman will start the upcoming NHL season on long-term injured reserve as he continues to recover from migraines.
Allvin says the team is supporting Poolman in his recovery. Poolman, 30, signed a four-year, US$10-million contract with the Canucks before the 2021-22 season. The migraine issue limited the American defenceman to 40 games in his first season with the Canucks.
Poolman has six goals and 17 assists over 163 career NHL games with Winnipeg and Vancouver.
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