The Vancouver Canucks agreed to terms with Vilmer Alriksson on a three-year entry-level contract. The 6’6″ 234 lb forward was returned to his OHL team, the Guelph Storm, shortly after signing. He’s a big kid, with a great skill set and plays a physical brand of hockey. Another good signing by Canucks GM Patrik Allvin.
PTO invite Sammy Blais was released from his tryout. He had flashes during preseason, but it just wasn’t there.
Boston claimed goaltender Jiri Patera, whom the Canucks had put on waivers to send to Abbotsford. Likely due to the ongoing Jeremy Swayman fiasco. Nonetheless, it does change the Abbotsford goaltending situation, and it probably means Arturs Silvos will be sent down once Thatcher Demko is healthy.
Defenseman Carson Soucy is the latest NHL’er to don a protective neck guard for the upcoming season. Soucy cited the death of a friend and former teammate, Adam Johnson, as the main reason. Johnson had his neck severed by a skate a year ago during a game in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League. The two were teammates at the University of Minnesota-Duluth for a couple of seasons. Soucy is the second Canuck player to wear a neck guard, following Connor Garland last season.
On the injury front, forward Pius Suter is listed as day-to-day after suffering an undisclosed upper-body injury. Teddy Bluegar (lower body) has been skating in practice with a noncontact jersey. His status for opening night is still undetermined.
In some feel-good news, Dakota Joshua, who underwent testicular cancer surgery, is with the team and will be doing an autograph session at Pastime Sports, in Langley, on October 5th at 2 pm. He has been around the team since camp started, and Head coach Rick Tocchet said Joshua will travel with the team on their first road trip. All the best to Dakota from yours truly, he’s another guy that deserves nothing but the best.
The team has trimmed its roster down to almost regular season ready. With Nils Aman, Arshdeep Bains, and camp standout Aatu Raty, still remaining. Likely the status of Suter and Blueger will determine how long they stick around.
The Canucks wrap up their preseason with a game against the Oilers on Friday night in Vancouver. J.T. Miller will see his first game action, after saying he was nursing a little something but is one hundred percent ready to go. Their first regular season game is Wednesday, October 9th, at home to the Calgary Flames.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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