Nancy Henderson

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>On top of everything else, even the schedule is conspiring to extinguish any momentum. All these stoppages in play. Later on, the boys seem to have endless back to back contests but right now there are an awful lot of days off between games. I have to admit, I turned on Hockey Night in Canada last Saturday with dread in my heart. I had my orca shaped cyanide pill clenched between my back teeth at puck drop, just waiting to bite down when the situation became hopeless. In fact, I had to switch back and forth between the Canucks game and the Lions game (the Leos being in that happiest of situations – where the outcome meant nothing). So it was a pleasant surprise to see both teams triumph and especially, to see the Canucks rise to the considerable challenge in front of them. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/11/nov0307_avs17_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/11/nov0307_avs17_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> The horrific, gory injuries to our blueliners during the Nashville game were more appropriate for Halloween than November 1st. Watching replays of the great gouts of blood pouring out of Sami’s shattered face was almost unbearable. Can’t the scientists of Canucks Labs come up with a full-body, Kevlar uniform for our most injury-prone defenseman? And pity poor Mrs. Bieksa, with two babies to care for: the tiny newborn and the undoubtedly crabby, unhappily cast-bound, tough guy husband. Yikes, girlfriend, you have my sympathies. Still, happily, despite being written off by pundits and plebs alike, the Canucks looked strong almost throughout and managed to wreck the Avalanche’s perfect record at home in the process. Amazingly, putting all our Swedish meatballs in one basket actually worked. Our scorers scored! This joyful feeling may be short lived but we better enjoy it while we can. Which brings me, once again, to the wisdom of so-called fans booing the Canucks at GM Place. In case you hadn’t noticed, you’re not helping. No wonder their record at home sucks. The lads are practically paralyzed with fear that they are going to make a mistake and disappoint everyone. These days our talent-depleted team needs every ounce of confidence it can muster if it is to have any hope of winning. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/11/van_vs_nas_gallery_2.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/11/van_vs_nas_gallery_2_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> But booing the goalie? Well, that requires a special brand of idiocy. We ain’t the New York Islanders, folks. We don’t have our brilliant backstopper wrapped up for the better part of two decades. When his contract is up in a couple more short seasons, Roberto will ponder his future and the numerous offers he will receive from teams around the league. Now, it’s unlikely but possible that he will be thinking “gee, those torrential November downpours sure beat the heck out of boring, endless Florida sunshine” but if the crushing damp hasn’t completely put him off by then, the behavior of fickle, ungrateful fans may knock us right into the reject pile . Listen you morons, it is an extreme rarity in the history of the Canucks to have the play of the netminder be the absolute least of the team’s worries. Gift horses like Louie are as rare as Triple Crown winners so knock off digging around in his dental work. Sheesh! Fans caught booing the home team should be issued a restraining order that will keep them at least 10K away from the eventual victory parade. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>With apologies to the late, great Vincent Price: Darkness falls across the land The midnight hour is close at hand The foulest stench is in the air The funk of forty lousy years Zombie-Sedins play five-on-five The fans hopes barely stay alive The Northwest Chumps, the skating dead Each home game fills the crowd with dread The year’s a bust, the corpse stone cold (The season’s only 12 games old!!) We’re hanging on, we’re watching filler Until we finally get a thriller <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/102607_caps01_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/102607_caps01_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Well, the end of the Washington game was pretty exciting. Heart-stopping actually, watching Ovechkin buzz around the net. But the happy result was good for what ailed us. It’s Halloween. Maybe we need a supernatural solution. If we can’t buy or draft a top six forward, perhaps we could build one in the lab. Where is Coach Frankenstein when we need him? If we cobbled together the finer parts of a few players, we might just have something: Brad Isbister’s size, Ryan Shannon’s speed, Alex Burrow’s feisty puck pursuit – all stitched together in one monstrous package. Or maybe the neck bolts just need to be tightened on a few of our existing players. It would be nice find someone who could win the occasional draw (I was going to insert the old joke about having to trade for a leper who could win in the face-off circle, but that would be tacky, as well as both politically and medically incorrect). I don’t know what it is – but the Canucks have too often been cursed in this regard over their history. But if the lads hope to maintain control of the play more, they are going to have to figure out how to succeed from the drop of the puck. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct2807_redwings05_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct2807_redwings05_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> In these dark days of fall, it’s hard for the loyal fan to decide whether to dress up as Pollyanna or Cassandra but, for now anyways, I’m going to stay of the sunny side. I still think we are closer to team success than abject team failure. For the ghouls who suggest that our captain is merely a ghost of his former self, I’d like to whisper the names of Mike Weir or Dave Dickenson. Never disregard the determination of smallish greats supposedly past their glory – they have the hearts of lions, otherwise they wouldn’t have succeeded in the first place. And all previous history points to the Sedins being able to take the next necessary step. I still say they would have developed faster if we had just spent the money to bring in a skilled veteran to guide them, back in the day. Never mind - I think they’ll get there, just the same. So here’s hoping all spookiness is banished for the start of November that our beloved Orcas gnash Gnashville, and the good ship Canuck is steered away from the dark shoals of disaster, with self doubt and mental errors forced to walk the plank. Otherwise it will be tears and too much stale candy for me. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>California has spontaneously combusted and so have the Canucks. No, hang on... It’s a sunny day, so let’s start on the sunny side, shall we? As Luongo goes, so goes the team. Roberto has played very well the last two games and is beginning to look like our beloved superstar backstopper again. Our new backup was sharp too, in his only start. I can’t say with any real authority because I haven’t been able to watch the away games in their entirety (damn this having to work for a living), but during the periods I have watched, I don’t think the Canucks have played appallingly badly – well, okay, Mitchell and Miller suddenly taking up pairs ice dancing was bad, especially as it resulted in the winning goal. Clearly, we need to start taking more shots if we’re going to score more goals. Or more accurately we need to start generating some genuine chances. Which brings us to this week’s media controversy. Oh Markus, when are you going to stop having those outbursts of truthfulness? <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/10242007_detroit11_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/10242007_detroit11_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Frankly, I couldn’t agree more with the captain – I’ve been saying the same thing since last season. Controlling the puck means dictating the play and forcing the opposition into taking penalties. Dumping and chasing, for anyone who is not on the third or fourth line, is for losers. A team that does not have at least one line that can consistently carry the puck into the attacking zone, make perfect passing plays, and get the shot away quickly and accurately will win nothing, especially in the playoffs. Defensive responsibility and ferocious checking are important (at no time did the captain disagree with that) but offensive creativity is every bit as crucial. Alain Vigneault’s response was predictable, given his love of physical role players, if not a little frank as he suggested his top forwards were soft. “Whereas our grinders, the ones with any points, are doing it by hard forechecking and going to the tough areas. That's the way the way the game is played now; you have to have the willingness to want to do that." It seems to me that most of top lines across the league give only a passing nod to the tough areas. Zetterberg isn’t doing a great deal of dumping and chasing right now. Alfredsson, Heatley and Spezza aren’t famous for getting rid the puck, then flailing in the corners to retrieve it. Fans want to see dazzling skill. At least, that’s what I want to see when I part with my hard earned bucks. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/10242007_detroit09_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/10242007_detroit09_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> I appreciate the very good work our third line has been doing lately. But asking Markus to emulate Rick Rypien every shift is like buying a toaster, then expecting it to make coffee. You are going to be disappointed by the lack of grind (or grinds). Every player should be prepared to battle to win. Markus should be expected to occasionally go into corners to dig out the puck, should drive to the net sometimes, and I keep noticing him doing those things. But he also needs to be helped in his bid to play to his strengths. And that, once again raises the issue that was not addressed last season, nor over the summer – the need to acquire at least one big strong skilled forward with a scoring touch. That said, I don’t think we are a million miles away from success. Sami’s back, Kevin’s a proud papa, so the defense is likely to start clicking again. I anticipate improvement soon. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>A week has passed since Philadelphia racked up their Frequent Flyer Points. And as predicted, our team took the lessons from that hideous loss into their next three battles. Defensive positioning was better, stickwork was better, the Sedins can control the puck for an entire powerplay. Yes, the collapse in the third period against San Jose means the boys still have a way to go but, all in all, things are looking up. The Canucks swore up and down that they were going to get off to a better start this season; that they would begin this year as well as they had ended last. Unfortunately, that’s not happening yet. Our golden goalie is ramping up slowly, just as he did last year. We have replaced several mediocre players who understood how to execute Coach Vigneault’s defensive systems, with several mediocre players who don’t. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1507_canuckpractice09_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1507_canuckpractice09_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Poor Dave Nonis - I can relate. Often, I have headed to the supermarket with the express purpose of purchasing milk, because, you know, I really, really need milk. I arrive home with bags of groceries, but, oops, no milk. Dave approached the off-season with the clear intention of acquiring a big, physical forward with a scoring touch, because, not having one saw us eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Once at the NHL fair however, Dave discovered that those forwards were commanding ludicrous contracts and he was lured into impulse buying by enticing Isbisters and Ritchies, tempting him with pleading puppy eyes from the bargain bin. So here we are, two weeks into the season, our youthful potential scorers dispatched to Moose country, and we still can’t generate goals when we need them most. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/092607_sjsharks10_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/092607_sjsharks10_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a>Ryan Kesler, you’re killing me. Markus gifts you a spectacular pass, you have a yawning net to shoot at and you miss. Aarrgh!! Much as I wish it were otherwise, you still appear to have less finish than an antique armoire soaking in acetone. And Brad Isbister. Cripes, you’re 6’4”, 225 lbs, and you can draw penalties like nobody’s business and muscle your way to the net while strong-arming a defender in a style not seen here since the moody, hulking one was dispatched to Florida. You should be a freaking superstar, baby. But at 30 years old and on your sixth NHL team you are cutting it pretty fine in terms of your emergence from your cocoon. All of Vancouver promises to love you unconditionally if you can finally get it together in our lovely city. The Kings should be paupers by the time our lads get done with them on Friday, emphasis on the SHOULD. If the Canucks don’t do that incredibly annoying thing where they underestimate a weaker opponent, come out slow and sloppy, spend the first two periods like they’re skating through sludge, then forlornly bleat useless excuses at the cameras after the game. Los Angeles is a team in goalie meltdown and we have the “best goalie on the planet”. So boys, if you could just pretend that you’re playing a team that you hate or a team that scares you, maybe you could win this one in style, cheer up the rightfully crabby home crowd and put yourselves in a positive mindset for your week long road trip. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>I’m not a gal who opposes the occasional light spanking, but C’MON!! That was just brutal. I was going to have another brief moan about the stupid NHL schedule, but perhaps a six year interval between Flyers visits is a good thing. And here I was all atwitter to be attending my first game of the season, moving merrily with the mob down Georgia Street in eager anticipation. At one point, I had to make a heads-up deke in order to avoid a hip-check from a woman wearing a Ruutu jersey. Which got me wondering…do fans take on the characteristics of the players whose jerseys they don? Is a guy more likely to get into a bar fight if he’s wearing a Bieksa sweater? If he challenges a guy in a Cooke jersey, will number 24 avoid confrontation and curl up under a table? Speaking of jerseys, I couldn’t believe the number of people in attendance wearing Lindros Philly sweaters. Jeez – did your mommies accidently order those from the Eaton’s catalogue? The trade that brought whiney, underachieving Eric to the Flyers quite rightly topped Sportsnet’s all time worst list last week. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1007_fans_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1007_fans_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> This is me avoiding talking about the game. Cripes, it was agony the first time – I don’t really want to rehash it. For a hash, it certainly was. Well, the first few minutes looked promising. The boys were forcing the Flyers to the outside, controlling the tempo of the play and vigorously keeping the play alive in the attacking zone.Then came some lazy backchecking where our boys seemed hypnotized by the opposition, sweet Lou let in two goals in a matter of seconds and the wheels came off. During the second period, I was thinking if it were up to me, today I would put the team in the pink jerseys and bag skate them all morning. But by the end, I felt maybe hugs were in order. The lads looked so crushed. I don’t know how the crowd had the heart to boo them – as cruel as kicking a hurt puppy. And thoughts go out this morning to the worst hurt puppy, Ryan Kesler. Man, I hate to see a player lying on the ice like a broken doll. I thought maybe the addition of skilled, baby-faced, mighty mite Daniel Briere would signal a sea change in Philadelphia – a slight increase in cuddliness to the nasty team from the City of Brotherly Love. But no. Bobby Clarke goonism lives on. When you’re leading by six goals there is absolutely no need to run over a goalie, but the stick-to-the-face by Jesse Boulerice was an appalling act and ought to result in a hefty suspension.<a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1007_canuckvsflyer04_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/oct1007_canuckvsflyer04_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Trudging home from the game last night, I was thinking, I’m really glad I’m not married to a Canuck. I would be rounding up the kids and sleeping at my mother’s house. But after a night of tossing and turning, I hope the boys return to the ice fiercely motivated not to be so utterly embarrassed at home again. Note to Coach Vigneault – just a thought, but you might want to go over the defensive systems again. There was some terrifically pretty passing last night, interspersed between the vast waves of groaning awfulness. I enjoyed seeing some brief flashes of offensive prowess. But the meat and potatoes of this less-than-superskilled team are the defensive systems. Back to basics, lads, and I think you’ll be okay. We’re only three games into the season. We can probably hold off panicking until, say, game six. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>I love this moment right before the games begin, when fantasies are unmarred by the record, before hysteria sets in and the unruly un-faithful are demanding to rip the “C” off the captain’s sweater and trade everyone remotely connected to the team. Now is the time of endless possibilities when a long-time fan can dare to dream. And one can rightly be cautiously optimistic this year. The Canucks are quite well stocked with the ingredients that any winning team must have. We can certainly place a giant checkmark next to goaltending. We have some desperate veterans, running out of time for glory. Our underrated, but very solid defensive core is in place, although we should keep an industrial-sized tub of grointment at the ready for those inevitable injuries caused by the type of play demanded by the defence-first team philosophy. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/Oct0207_LuongoClose_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/10/Oct0207_LuongoClose_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Speaking of which, since I’m a gal who, while appreciating effective defensive systems, always prefers an offence-first mantra, I’m happy to see that our award-winning Coach seems to be gently embracing the notion of speedy, creative playmaking. Yes, it’s more dangerous than endlessly cycling in the corners, but it’s infinitely more fun to watch. My theory is you have to take chances to make chances. And yes, it may result in a rush in the other direction but, presumably that’s why you’re paying $7 million to the “best goalie on the planet” (Really? The planet!? What, Iran has secret desert camps for netminders now? It’s like calling what the Americans do every October “The World Series”). To quote zippy Ryan Shannon, “playing in an energy role with grinders, where you're just dumping and chasing, it kind of seems like a waste of energy sometimes”. Amen, brother! And a waste of talent besides. I want to see the Sedins, Nazzy and any young lad who can manage it, skate the puck up the ice and finish with a flourish. Any team that hopes to win it all simply must have that ability in their arsenal. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2007_Twins_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2007_Twins_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Unfortunately, unless Mason Raymond, Ryan Shannon and Mike Weaver can locate a “Zoltar Speaks” fortune-telling machine in a remote corner of Playland and make a collective wish to become big, the days of up-tempo, free-wheeling offence may be quickly numbered. At the other end of the spectrum, the euphemistically named “energy” guys who are “helping to fire up the team” are still making their way into the news in a negative way. I’d rather hear positive “Give a Goon a Chance” stories, like last season’s inspiring saga of our own Jeff Cowan. What part of Steve Downie’s career-to-date made what happened last week a surprise? If you want to end blows to the head in hockey, you are going to have to make the changes higher up, rather than expecting the players, especially the ones on the bubble trying to make the team, to police themselves. Consistency in punishment would be a start. Downie gets a 20 game suspension for cleaning Dean McCammond’s clock. For whomping both McCammond and Tomas Holmstrom, Chris Pronger gets a two game suspension, a championship ring and a new role as team captain. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames04_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames04_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> I think if you really wanted to send a message about the acceptability of concussing your opponents, Pronger should have been in a suit and tie in the press box watching his team win the Stanley Cup. But I don’t expect anything like it to happen soon. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>Am I the only one who felt a little sad when Dan Cloutier was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings? Probably. Poor old Dan had a pretty rough ride on the message boards of this website. Dan’s only real crime during his time in Vancouver was that he, like almost all goalies in the NHL, was never great. He was often good in the regular season, but always a disappointment in the playoffs when it mattered. In a hockey-crazed market like ours, that truly is a crime for which a netminder will never be forgiven. And the glass groin didn’t help either. But Dan always seemed to accept criticism in stride and apparently remained, throughout his time here, a good teammate and an intense presence in the locker room. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2607_CloutierClose_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2607_CloutierClose_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> In the end, despite my frustration with his play in the post season, I could never manage to loathe the guy. I still like to remember a classic Dan moment which occured in a January 2003 game against the Senators. When Markus scored his famous, jaw-dropping coast to coast goal, Dan actually had an assist. But then, not uncommonly, he was caught out of position, misplaying the puck in the corner and watching helplessly as Ottawa accepted the gift and deposited the puck in the unguarded cage. Hapless Dan stood stoically, isolated at his end of the ice, bowing only a little under the weight of ignominy as the boos from the crowd and a powerful string of expletives from the coach rained down upon him. But after that Dan settled down, made some decent stops and the Canucks won the game. Which was often the case when Clouts was in net. So, I hope Dan survives his exile with the Manchester Monarchs and lives to play another day in the NHL. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/jul2707_gameseven10_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/jul2707_gameseven10_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a>Meanwhile Roberto, our bright and shiny new goaltender, appears to have lost none of his sheen for the start of his sophomore season in Vancouver. Man, it was great to finally see a televised pre-season game on the weekend, even if our puppy boys were looking pretty outclassed on the ice. I was yelling for a while until I calmed down and finally accepted the fact that inexperienced players, especially defensemen, are going to make rookie mistakes. You just have to sit back, try to relax and observe the painful learning process. For added agony, you could spend a little time imagining what might have been if King Louie was the man between the pipes during the 2003 playoffs, when the Westcoast Express was in full flight, and the Canucks were an offensive juggernaut. Coach Vigneault recently managed a sly jab of his veteran players by suggesting it was time for them to “get interested”. I’m sure they’re interested. I think they're interested in avoiding the ranks of the walking wounded. I also imagine Markus is looking forward to the end of pre-season speed dating with potential partners and finally going steady. Mason Raymond is one of the speedier of the speed date linemates. It was good to finally clap eyes on this young prospect - the lad is definitely demonstrating some promising moves. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2007_Vigneault_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep2007_Vigneault_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Yeah, the kids are alright, but until the real line-up is out there on the ice, it is going to be difficult to see where we stand. So this is me, not panicking, withholding judgement and longing for the first real, two-point test of the season. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>I settled in last night, with a couple of sudoku puzzles and the radio tuned to Tom and Shorty calling the Flames/Canucks pre-season tilt. I love those guys. As a buddy of mine always says, you can listen in at any point in the game and instantly tell how the Canucks are doing by the tone of Larscheid’s voice. Normally I have no problem visualizing the game when I’m listening. As a confirmed hockey addict, I’m really familiar with how the Canuck regulars play the game. I was having some trouble last night though, once past the line of Naslund-Kesler-Pyatt. I can easily call to mind an image of pesky Alex Burrows goading Eric Godard into a penalty-laced frenzy, but the Grabners, Schneiders, Jaffrays, et al remain a bit of a mystery to me. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames03_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames03_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a>Which leads to an anecdote from a couple of years ago. When the Canadian Olympic training camps were held in B.C., back in the summer of 2005, I naturally went to watch the Vancouver camp. Because I happened to be heading there anyway, I attended one of the Kelowna training days as well. Seriously, I’m an addict. At the early morning Okanagan scrimmage, I could tell from the conversations around me that this was the first time many in the audience had seen NHL players live – especially a collection of some of the most highly skilled players in the League. The crowd, accustomed to junior games, was clearly dazzled by the speed, skill and talent on display. (That’s why I think it’s so great that the Canucks take their training camps on the road – many communities are devoted to their local teams but they just don’t get the chance to watch the most elite professional hockey except on the tube.) <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames12_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/09192007_flames12_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a> Now, the fastest way to separate the crazily devoted from the casual fans is to put the players out on the ice without their names on their jerseys. Those of us who clearly watch too much hockey can tell who’s who by how they play. The two fellows sitting next to me were having some trouble identifying the different skaters. “Who’s that big fella over there?” says Guy 1. “Um, that’s Joe Thornton”, says I. “Right, right, Thornton…and the one over there with the beard?” inquires Guy 2. “That’s Mike Peca”, I respond. “Hey, you’re right”, he replies. “Good girl!” (I have to laugh). Later, one of the goalies looks a little shaky, bobbling the puck and letting in a couple of shots. “Man”, says Guy 1. “Roberto Luongo isn’t playing very well, is he?” “Well”, I retort, “maybe it’s because that is Marty Turco”. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep1907_Luongo_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/Sep1907_Luongo_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a>It’s two years later and Luongo, then a Panther, is now ours. Vancouver fans, many of whom couldn’t pick him out of a line-up just one year ago, have taken Number 1 to their collective heart, as witnessed last night by the loud “Looooooooo” chant that followed even his most average of stops. And, if last year’s playoffs are any indication, he is still better than Turco. Just 15 more sleeps until the puck drops for real. </td></tr></table>

<table width=90% align=center border=0><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/henderson_headshot.jpg align=left hspace=4>Louie’s back in town and apparently, more determined that ever. Woo-hoo! Bring on the season. The puppy boys are battling it out for a chance to show off at the main camp, with Coach Vigneault delightfully playing them like little violins – praising them one day, slapping them upside the head the next. From all reports, Mason Raymond is indeed a lad to watch. Of course, the crazed desire to see a bonafide sniper emerge from the ranks of the draft picks may be rose-colouring the vision of observers. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater27_082907_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater27_082907_t.jpg border=0 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a>Yeah, the kids are always fun to watch but I wanted to take a moment to sing the praises of a veteran - Mattias Ohlund. Once upon a time, he was our hopeful young first round draft pick, one of the relatively rare occasions when the powers that be got it completely right. But familiarity apparently breeds contempt, as Matty’s name was frequently tossed out this summer, by fans and pundits alike, as trade bait - a guy we would be happy to send packing. Now, I have to admit, years ago I ran into Mattias away from the rink, and I was so utterly dazzled by the breadth of his sweater-clad chest (yeah, women do that too) that it took me several moments to recognize him. You could tell it would definitely be difficult to give him the slip while driving to the net. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/dice03_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/dice03_t.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4></a>A couple of my hockey buddies claim Mattias “lost a step” last season. What is it with guys always saying other guys have lost a step? Personally, I think it’s a hangover from our earliest days, when the beta males hung around just waiting for the alpha male to show some sign of weakness, so they could challenge him for supremacy. As it turns out, our stalwart defenseman quietly played injured, according to The Hockey News Yearbook, unbeknownst even to his own teammates: “What did he have?” asked a stunned Luongo. “A sports hernia? I didn’t even know he was hurt.” Mattias is Gary Cooper in “High Noon” – the strong, silent type just doing his job, which in his case means slogging it up and down the ice, game after game for the last decade, often leading the team in ice-time, sometimes popping in timely goals, but mostly merely thwarting the scoring ambitions of the best forwards in the League. Matty has never been the showiest of players nor the flashiest of personalities. But he has been reliable and dedicated. I mean, the guy nearly lost an eye to the cause. In fact, if he had been born in Penticton instead of Pitea, his qualities would likely see him described as a good Canadian kid (well, he might have to throw a few more punches). <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/images/wire/ap/2007/04/1e82403f-dee5-40a9-b5ab-d6e433cdc601.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/images/wire/ap/2007/04/1e82403f-dee5-40a9-b5ab-d6e433cdc601_178x138.jpg border=0 width=120 height=90 align=right vspace=1 hspace=4></a>I always like to have one loose-cannon defenseman on the squad, a Jovo or a Bieksa, to make things a bit exciting. But I’d like a lot more like Mattias. I’m looking forward to the emergence of an Edler or a Bourdon. I have no idea what Mr. Nonis has in store for the team as the season progresses, but I sincerely hope he keeps Number 2 in blue for a while longer.</td></tr></table>

<img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/hendersonblog.gif align=left hspace=4> I always say “the deeper they go in the playoffs, the better the jerseys look”. And the sweater they are wearing when they finally win the Cup? Well, that one will be cherished as the most beautiful garment imaginable. Men will get married in that jersey.<br><br> Only in hockey-mad Vancouver would so many fans turn up on a warm and sunny summer afternoon to get first gander at what will be adorning our lads come puck-drop. This is what passes for “Fashion Week” here on the sartorially-laid-back west coast. There are markets all across America where you couldn’t get that many customers out to watch Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final (note to Gary Bettman – the True North loves hockey, carries hockey. You might want to seriously consider another franchise in this fair country).<br><br> <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater20_082907_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater20_082907_t.jpg border=0 align=right hspace=4 vspace=1></a>Frankly, if given a choice, I always prefer an event where the boys are removing clothing, like Jerseys Off Our Backs. Still, if I hadn’t been trapped at the office, I would have attended the sweater launch. In the end, though, it was a bit of much ado about nothing. The new jersey isn’t startlingly new. In fact it’s rather old school. And I like it. I love the colours, but I loved them last season. I think I prefer this slightly starker version of the orca, although I was hoping they might take the opportunity to tweak the design – to give the whale a different look. Still, I’m not complaining. <br><br> <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater18_082907_tbjpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater18_082907_t.jpg border=0 align=left hspace=4 vspace=1></a>I was also hoping, for comic effect, that Canucks management might first unveil some fake sweaters before they revealed the actual thing: Kevin Bieksa in a pink girl-jersey, for instance. Or a deadpan announcement of the return to the heritage “Halloween colours” for both the orca and the skate. But I suppose freaking out the faithful is a dangerous exercise. And I wouldn’t want to be the one to break the news to Kevin – talk about dangerous!<br><br> As curious as I was about the jersey, I was more interested in seeing what the captain’s annual new fall coiffure would be. Ah Markus, wicked wrist shot and seriously gorgeous hair. No wonder they made him captain (o.k. - I secretly like to believe that choosing the leader involves whipping out the measuring tape). It’s just so great to see the boys back on the ice where they belong.<br><br> <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater17_082907_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/sweater17_082907_t.jpg border=0 align=right hspace=4 vspace=1></a>And it’s great to be back in front of a televised hockey game. I have been watching the 6:00 a.m. broadcasts of the Canada Russia Super Series before heading off to work. I swear my whole body relaxes the first time I hear the colour commentary at the start of the season (even if it is the annoying Peter Loubardias and the hyperventilating Pierre McGuire). It hardly seems like 35 years ago that they wheeled the television into my elementary school classroom and we watched breathlessly as history unfolded. It was a great day to be a Henderson, that’s for sure.<br><br> Speaking of great days, training camp is just around the corner and the start of the pre-season is less than a month away. Much as I hate the ever shortening days, I love, love, love the start of hockey.

<img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/hendersonblog.gif align=left hspace=4>WHEW! It was incredibly difficult to believe that the Canucks organization would ever make such a spectacular misstep. Screwing over perhaps your most beloved player once is bad enough, but twice? Unthinkable! Thank heavens we have dodged that bullet. I was pretty sure that Dave Nonis was far too canny to allow it to happen, but years spent following the Canucks can encourage a fan to brace for the worst. Next week, when Trevor dons the mysterious new uniform, it will do my little heart good. It was an ugly decision to bring to town Trevor’s hated 1994 rivals, Messier and Keenan, especially after they had stolen his and our dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup. To add insult to injury, our darling boy was allowed to be demoted and demoralized, then traded away. But that unpleasantness had almost completely faded from memory. Trevor’s triumphant return to his adopted city made it seem like those intervening years in New York, Montreal and Washington were just a bad dream That Trevor had, in fact, played his entire career with the Canucks. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/aug2107_linden02_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/aug2107_linden02_t.jpg border=0 align=right hspace=4 vspace=1></a>That’s why the delay in re-signing Number 16 to another season, in light of his excellent play during the latter half of last season, and especially during the playoffs, was so confusing to this fan. We were repeatedly told last year that getting into Coach Vigneault’s good books was a matter of playing above expectation when you were given the opportunity. This mantra, though, seemed not apply to our Mr. Linden. And that is completely baffling to me. When you have a veteran player who won’t take a big bite out of your budget, who so thoroughly understands the game, has important playoff experience, almost never makes a dangerous mistake, has well documented leadership skills and has a desperate hunger to win the Cup, what could possibly prevent you from signing him? I doubt we will ever hear the story behind the story, but let me add my voice to the rejoicing chorus: Welcome Back Trevor! Meanwhile, despite the fact that full frontal sunny weather has yet to arrive in Vancouver, summer is drawing to a close. It has been many a long month since the boys were last on the ice. This is the time of year when I always get twitchy and agitated because the hockey vacuum has become glaringly apparent to me. So, it always cheers me up to see the first pre-season footage of the lads getting together for practices out at 8 Rinks. <a href=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/aug2107_linden04_b.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/aug2107_linden04_t.jpg border=0 align=left hspace=4 vspace=1></a>Ah, this is the magical time, before actual wins and losses and local hysteria can disturb the fantasy. The time to believe that maybe, just maybe, this is the year. Or rather, The Year. The Year We Win It All. Lots to drive us forward. Trevor is the oldest active player not to have his name inscribed on the big prize. Markus returns year after year to face the abuse because of his tremendous desire to lead this team to victory. We have all seen just how desperately Louie wants to win, and, for a change, our goalie’s talent actually matches his drive. Dave must be a bit peeved that Brian Burke brought the Cup to his ‘hood to party – that should provide some motivation. We won the Division, we handed the Ducks their toughest battle in the playoffs, we’ve got plenty of upside. Oh, drop the puck already! Just can’t wait.

<img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/hendersonblog.gif align=left hspace=4>Will it be splendidly emblematic of everything we stand for here in Canuck Land, or will it be Buffalo banana slug ugly? That will be the question when the local hockey faithful finally get to clap eyes on the brand new team jersey. I find it rather amusing that men whose typical, carefully-considered sartorial routine consists of grabbing the cleanest t-shirt and pants off the floor, manage to get so whipped up about what their team’s jersey looks like. Message boards abound with debate and we haven’t even seen the garment in question yet. I will go on record as having neither adored nor despised any of the past Canucks products. I have adored (and on rare occasions, despised) some players wearing the jersey, but not the jersey itself. I have owned at least one piece of clothing from each era, including the so-called “Halloween Jersey”. In fact, I remember actually liking the bold colours when they first appeared. Now when I flip through my ancient Canuck calendars and see those jerseys, I just feel a fond nostalgia. I think the stick in the rink logo has a spartan elegance that stands the test of time, and the current take on the vintage design, with its lovely cool blue and green colours, looks mighty sharp on the boys. I would say it’s my favourite. A graphic designer friend of mine offered a rant about the skate logo, and what a muddled, messy, difficult to read design it was. Maybe, but I still love to wear my old Canucks jacket emblazoned with that logo to games, possibly because I associate it with the beloved 1994 team. So, in the current spirit of anticipation and hysteria, I’d like to offer up a couple of takes: <img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/cowan01_t.jpg align=right hspace=4>Lingerie tossing is soooo 1970s. But I was rather hoping the leopard print underwear incident would result in a few, brave male hockey fans showing up at the rink sporting bras. So, in honour of our newly re-acquired tough guy and ersatz scoring sensation, Jeff Cowan: I have always thought the killer whale was good symbol for the Canucks – we are really the only team in the NHL where an orca is an appropriate logo (the cetaceans, like hockey fans, cannot really be considered residents of California). But maybe we need a different critter. We seem to be stocking up on pesky, irritating players, what with Cookie, Burr and the recently acquired Byron Ritchie. So maybe we should consider the mighty mosquito, whose incessant whining could also be considered an homage to some local sport media and so-called fans. I’m looking forward to seeing the fresh design. But, no matter what the new Canucks look it, I’m sure that I will wear it…proudly…as always.

<img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/hendersonblog.gif align=left hspace=4>Are you kidding me? For this I spent an entire hockey season grimly following Swedish Elite League games on the Internet?? Grasping at charity scrimmages and prospect tilts like a shopper grasping for the last pair of size 7 sling-backs at the Army and Navy Shoe Sale? (Sorry boys, but there are so few chick analogies in sports writing – you have to throw the occasional one in). Silly me, I believed the reports that said the lockout year and the new deal between the NHL and the NHLPA would result in a brave new world of parity between teams, and rationality when it came to contracts. Wasn’t this the deal that was going to save general managers from themselves and prevent them from making foolish offers in a moment of desperation? Well, gee, that worked great. New York continues to chuck wads of cash at anyone with the vague scent of stardom, while the Oilers are still unable to convince anyone that the joy of playing for a storied franchise, and pots of filthy lucre, are adequate compensation for actually having to live in Edmonton. It’s not even the money being thrown around that alarms me, although some of the announced dollar amounts are pretty head shaking. No, to me what is most unbelievable is the length of the contracts. An eight year deal for Daniel Briere? Yes, Danny is clearly a talented lad who has blossomed under the new NHL rules. But seriously, folks. Briere will be nearly 38 years old when the contract expires and he won’t be any taller. Frankly, it wouldn’t surprise me if the mighty mite gets his clock cleaned within the first few months of playing traditional Flyers hockey. I think it’s quite a gamble to imagine that Briere, or the other long-term signings, will be legitimate six or seven million dollar men through the run of their contracts. Yep, it all seems like madness to me, but that isn’t preventing local fans from screeching at Dave Nonis to leap in with chequebook extended. Well, I say stay the course, Dave. So far, his minor signings seems ok to me and quite possibly upgrades on the players we are losing. Yes, we still need at least one more top six scoring talent, and while I was (unrealistically) hoping that some skilled player might be seduced here by the prospect of excellent sushi, as well as a well-rounded team, smart coaching, superb goaltending, and the chance to accept tape-to-tape passes from either Markus or the Sedins, I certainly wasn’t expecting a July 1st super-signing. If we can get a decent forward here for a season or two at a reasonable price, then great. But considering how close we are to the salary cap, I’m not holding my breath. I still think one of our recently signed, talented Manitoba farm boys may yet make a difference, and I do expect Taylor Pyatt and Ryan Kesler to improve this season. I expect Nazzy to show off in the last year of his contract. I expect the ever-improving Twins to take one more step forward. Besides, we’re languishing in the heat of July and I always believe in waiting until at least the first puck drop to start panicking.