Franz Liszt Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Hi. Don't know if this has been posted or not. And if you want to get a Garrison jersey sooner than later, here you go. http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Canucks+will+Garrison+sticking+with+jersey+prospect/6872224/story.html It’s customary for a player to switch numbers when he switches teams. However, don’t expect Jason Garrison to turn in his No. 52 when he suits up with the Vancouver Canucks next NHL season. The unrestricted free agent defenceman agreed to a six-year contract Sunday and with an annual salary cap hit of $4.6 million US, and the 27-year-old White Rock native will keep a reminder to remain humble on his back. After all, when you rocket from $700,000 US annually with the Florida Panthers to a contract worth $27.6 million, it could be easy to have your head in the clouds and your feet off the ground. Especially if you grew up idolizing the Canucks and hoping to play for the hometown team one day. “The number was given to me my first pro development camp,” Garrison said Monday from Chicago, where he attended the NHLPA meetings, a wedding and then sat with agent Matt Oates as free agency unfolded. “I’m not too picky with numbers and I get a lot of guys telling me I need to switch, but I haven’t given it much thought. It’s grown on me a bit.” Garrison is coming off a breakout season and his 16 goals were third among NHL blueliners behind Shea Weber and Erik Karlsson, who had 19 apiece. His nine power-play goals were just one behind Weber, who led that category. However, after just five goals in 2010-11, several suitors had to be confident that Garrison was taking another career development step because the undrafted late-bloomer didn’t even play junior hockey until age 19 with the BCHL Nanaimo Clippers. He played his minor hockey in Burnaby, Aldergrove and Semiahmoo. After playing with Mason Raymond at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and then signing with the Panthers, it’s been a slow yet steady rise for Garrison, to the point where he set a franchise record for goals by a defenceman on a pairing with Brian Campbell on the power play. He’s likely to line up with Alex Edler and get ample opportunity to unload a heavy power play slap shot, something the Canucks will need after losing Sami Salo to the Tampa Bay Lightning in free agency. “I’m not going to be complacent at all with what happened and I just want to keep developing as a player and get more experience,” said Garrison. “It [complacency] is not my mindset. I’m looking forward to being a better player each year. I spoke with Mike Gillis a little bit prior to signing and talked about the role I play and how it would be a good fit for me. With the way the team is coached, it’s a system I can step into and help. I’ll play wherever they need me to play.” The transition will be made easier by familiarity. Aside from Raymond, Garrison has played with David Booth, Keith Ballard and Chris Higgins in Florida. He chatted with his former college teammate just to confirm everything he had already heard about the Vancouver organization. “I spoke with Mason just a little bit and we’re really good friends,” said Garrison. “From Day 1 when we turned pro, we’ve chatted about everything. It’s one of those things where I feel a little comfortable knowing some of them more. But you talk to anybody and there’s not one bad thing said. In that regard, it’s a pretty easy conversation to have. It’s a first-class organization with management, coaches and players. I’m just really looking forward to it.” Garrison has been on the Canucks’ radar for some time. However, the hope was that he would do what Dan Hamhuis, Henrik and Daniel Sedin and Kevin Bieksa all did. They took less than market value to remain here with a team that still has a window to win it all. Garrison left money on the table -- Dennis Wideman, 29, turned 11 goals and 46 points with the Washington Capitals into a five-year, $26.25-million deal with the Calgary Flames. “For me, it’s not just financially,” stressed Garrison. “You want to be on a good team that has a chance to win and that’s a big factor for me at least. The Canucks are so close to winning and I just want to try and fit in wherever I can. And it’s just such a different experience to be a lot closer to my friends and family and playing for a team you watched growing up.” Watching free agency unfold was something that gave Garrison anticipation and some angst. “It’s a long day,” he said. “It was something I never experienced before obviously. It’s pretty crazy and it’s the business side of it and how it breaks down. To be with my agent in Chicago and see it first-hand, it was all worth it in the end.” The Canucks seem confident they can say the same. Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Canucks+will+Garrison+sticking+with+jersey+prospect/6872224/story.html#ixzz1zmYZXfPW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Good. G-52 is a nice nickname for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFanMike Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I think he should switch to number 5.... i guess in NHL 13 be a gm i'll just have to switch him to #5 then!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:D Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Mr. Garrison is better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 He'll be the first jersey I've bought in a while. Can't wait for the G-52 Bomber to drop bombs on the Powerplay!!!!! So stoked, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder Bunnies Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 He seems like he uses a long hockey stick just like Mitchell does. I hope he continues to do what he's done for Florida last year, if he can keep it up, this deal is a steal compared to Carle's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everybody Hates Raymond Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Buying a jersey next week. Home, away, or alternate? Help me decide CDC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Buying a jersey next week. Home, away, or alternate? Help me decide CDC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Common sense Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Is this why GMMG kept Mason Raymond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NP-4815162342 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Gare bear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucksfor2012 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Is this why GMMG kept Mason Raymond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Doctor Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 G-Spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rounoush Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Good. G-52 is a nice nickname for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kessywessy Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 G-Spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoaltenderInterference Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Didn't they force Sergei Shirokov to wear 25 instead of 52? Maybe it's a stipulation in Garrison's contract... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckFan1981 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I can only think of SOuth Park when I hear the name GArrison... therefore I say he is Mr. Garrison, Mr Slave or Mr. Hat and we say things like "Scissor me Xerxes"!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai604 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Garrison seems to have the right attitude for this team. Cool beans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Didn't they force Sergei Shirokov to wear 25 instead of 52? Maybe it's a stipulation in Garrison's contract... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCRenegade Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 G-Spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tragoedia Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 G-52 Bomber sounds right to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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