EvoLu7ioN Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 http://www.nationalp...prove-his-worth Canucks' Chris Tanev pushing limits to prove his worth Rory Barrs, National Post Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 AURORA, Ont. — Chris Tanev is trying to affirm that slow and steady wins the race. The Vancouver Canucks defenceman took an unorthodox route to the National Hockey League, playing three seasons of second-tier Ontario junior and one year of U.S. college hockey in upstate New York. A proverbial late-bloomer, the 22-year-old Toronto native has added size, strength and experience in two seasons split between the NHL and the American Hockey League, and is hoping to lay claim to a permanent roster spot in Vancouver's upcoming training camp. "I'm a lot more comfortable than I was when I first started two year ago," said Tanev, who appeared in 25 regular season and five playoff games for the Canucks last season. "I'm excited for camp … hopefully it starts. I'm very excited to try and prove to everyone that I can be a full-time defenceman in the league this year." Tanev is part of a large contingent of NHLers taking part in the BioSteel Hockey Camp this week north of Toronto, run by performance trainers Gary Roberts and Matt Nichol. For Tanev, the five-day conditioning camp caps off an extended summer of training under Roberts, a veteran of 21 NHL seasons and now a renowned fitness coach for professional athletes. "I've been [working] with Gary since May, Monday to Saturday," Tanev said. "He knows what he's doing. Everything with him is intense, from workouts, to what you eat, to off-ice treatments." Committing to a strict off-season regimen is doubly crucial for Tanev, who is trying to catch up to some of the more physically developed players in his age bracket. Standing 6-foot-2, and weighing 185 pounds last season, he was not operating with much margin for error on the blue line. This summer, Tanev has gained roughly seven pounds through weight training and ditching junk food for "healthy stuff." Although he is still far from physically imposing, Tanev has come a long way from his high school days when he could not find a midget hockey team to take him seriously. He says he was barely over five feet tall in Grade 10 and it wasn't until Grade 12 that he landed a spot with the Durham Fury of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. After two additional seasons in that league, Tanev headed south to the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he recorded 28 points in 41 games. He played an integral role in the Tigers' surprising run to the NCAA's Frozen Four and was named the 2010 Atlantic Hockey Association's rookie of the year. After negotiating with several NHL organizations, Tanev signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Vancouver. Tanev has earned an early reputation as a calm, puck-moving defenceman, but in concert with his effort to become more physically imposing in the defensive zone, Tanev is also aiming to add a little more oomph to his shot. "Definitely trying to add more offence," said Tanev, still goalless through 54 regular season contests. "It comes with confidence I guess. I rarely shoot, so it is something everyone has told me I have to do. I've been working on my shot all summer, so I've got to get a shoot-first mentality instead of always passing." Roberts is confident that Tanev can be an effective two-way player. "I think he does have those abilities," Roberts said. "He's got great hands, moves the puck well and skates well. Once he gets a little confidence, I think that's going to be big for him. To go to camp and see that he's got that strength, and to see that he's got that speed and that ability to compete with guys in the National Hockey League, I think that'll really help him get off to a good start. "I look for him to play lots of games for Vancouver this year and have a great season." Where exactly Tanev slots in Vancouver's back-end hierarchy remains to be seen. Late last season he paired with Dan Hamuis to form an effective shutdown duo, while also seeing time alongside Keith Ballard in the post-season. Regulars Sami Salo and Aaron Rome have signed elsewhere this off-season, creating a window of opportunity for Tanev to find consistent minutes in coach Alain Vigneault's lineup. "He's done his work," Roberts said. "You know that he is prepared for the test, and the test obviously is training camp and proving to those guys that he is doing his work in the summer." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoLu7ioN Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Really excited to see what he can do when the next NHL season happens. Guys like Neal, MDZ, Stamkos, and Skinner have all followed up a summer training with Roberts with a breakout year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabychStache Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I am excited for this season. I'm looking forward to seeing him and Schroeder this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFanMike Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I am ecited to see Tanev actually score a regular season goal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Y'know... There are other hockey camps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder Bunnies Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Really excited to see him play! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 While the article is interesting, it's been common knowledge for awhile he's been working out with Gary Roberts. I'd heard he's been working on his shot previously as well, but it's good that he does have that focus so he can further improve his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksSayEh Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I hope im not anywhere public when he scores his 1st goal, im gonna lose it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanKeslord17 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Watch Tanev score at the start or end of a period so that half the crowd at Rogers arena won't see it and many viewers who turn on their tv a little late miss It too! But anyway, would love to see Tanev this season. He sounds like he's really keen on getting icetime and proving himself. He'll be great with Ballard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaMacNamedDre Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Why isn't Mason Raymond in that camp, if anyone in the entire league belongs in that camp its Mason "Bambi Zamboni" Raymond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versace Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 EERRMMMAAGGGEERDDD! HES THE NEXT BOBBY ORR! 4ERWHGESRBHRTDSHGH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canIcrytoo Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Question: If Tanev were working out at Twist instead, would this get a thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Bang Boogie Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Hope he gains some muscle mass. Dude is built like a twig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMash Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does TOMapleLaughs still gripe and moan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does TOMapleLaughs still gripe and moan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiun Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 My sources say yes; there's a 90% chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Trees falling in the forest sucks, dude. Pine beetles are wiping out our forests and it's a huge problem for us, actually. So goddamn rights i'm griping about it. Aren't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMash Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Trees falling in the forest sucks, dude. Pine beetles are wiping out our forests and it's a huge problem for us, actually. So goddamn rights i'm griping about it. Aren't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neufy161 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Raymond should really train with Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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