Kootenay Gold

Both Pod's and Petan were papered down

Would like the odds better if Petan, Lockwood and Podz. were playing tonight.

I wouldn't be surprised that was Rathbone's first pro fight. Needs to get Vinny to show him a few tricks.

Rutherford must have liked what he saw in Ryan Johnson as he decided to keep him as the GM of the newly formed Abby Canucks. Personally; I think he made a good choice. Some on here were making a lot of noise about all of the veterans that were signed last off season but IMO, they needed to surround the relative newbies to the team with pros who epitomize what it takes to be a pro at this level.

Got a gut feeling that Klim is going to have a multiple point night tonight... hope that feeling comes to fruition.

Must be doing something right.

My bad. We did get off topic. Still concerned about Podz going back to Russia but at least Klim is planning on staying and training here in Canada. Will be fun to watch both Klim and Podz play together in Abby if the VanNucks do not make the playoffs but I am still hoping that the VanNucks make it.

I think that having a lot of talented and seasoned AHL veterans on the team has helped a lot of the newbies find their footing in the AHL and that is now really starting to show in their development and confidence on and off the ice.

I think a lot has to do with where in Russia you were brought up and also if you have had any exposure to living in North America esp. as an exchange student. I have followed the blogs of two different Russian families on YouTube for many years now; one lives in the far East near Vladivostok and the other lives in an area around Shakhty Russia; fairly close to the Russian / Ukraine border area. Both families are rural but connected to the internet. The student in the far East spent a year in the US on a college exchange program in 2019 and was really taken aback by the cultural differences. Virtually no-one smiles or appears cheerful in Russia compared to what she experienced in the USA. It really changed her perception. She has been careful to not post anything that could get her in trouble with the authorities but has gone silent for the past few weeks. A friend or hers who fled to Georgia (Country not State) said that she is still OK but fearful of posting anything now. The family close to the Donbas area has also gone silent. Last post was just a photo of their 16 yr old daughter and she appears to be very distressed. (her older brother is 20 and maybe conscripted to join - not sure) I think there is a notable difference between the older generations and the younger generations that are more connected to the rest of the world through the internet. The younger ones have a better picture of the outside world whereas the older generation has been spoon fed Russian propaganda from day one. Just read a news clip about the large exodus of young well educated Russians to Finland, Georgia and Kazakhstan. This will certainly impact the Russian populace in future years IMO.

I will be too but hope that the Abby fans get to see them live in there 1st playoff series as the Abby Canuck's

Both players would have to bomb badly in the upcoming preseason to not make the team IMO.

Think they have pretty good character in the room just need goals, goal tending and defence to be at there best for the balance of the season and they should be able to nail down home ice advantage.

It would be but the Abby Canuck's have to out point Bakersfield in the remaining games in order to see any playoff games in Abby. 1st round format sucks for the lower tiered team as all 3 playoff games will be played in the higher standing teams home town

Not a fan of that but thanks for clarifying his intentions.

I hope so too but given what an #$%^ Putin is, one never knows for sure.

I hope he is able to return to play for the Canuck's but that really seems unlikely if he goes back home to Russia.

That is certainly a possibility but I'm not sure that they are looking into doing that. I guess we will find out come fall.

I'm not so sure that he goes back. @RomanPmentioned that Klimovich is not going back during the summer and I would bet Pod's is not planning on going back either.

Lockwood will probably have to unseat Chiasson during training camp unless the Canucks do not re-sign Chiasson which might happen as he is a UFA. Management said they wanted to get skilled players that are both younger and faster. Lockwood is all of that. Maybe just his defensive game that might hold him back.

I am really hoping that that Abby GM Ryan Johnson re-signs Yushiroh Hirano to a contract for next season. IMO; the kid is deserving.

Abbotsford, BC -- Abbotsford Canucks General Manager, Ryan Johnson, announced today that Canucks forward, Yushiroh Hirano, has been selected to represent Japan at the 2022 IIHF Division 1 Group B World Championships in Tychy, Poland. Hirano, who was signed to a professional try out agreement on January 5, will be released from his contract with Abbotsford on April 11 so he can join the Japan Ice Hockey Federation’s training camp ahead of the tournament. “While Yushiroh has been a big part of our team this season, it was an obvious decision for our organization to allow him to leave Abbotsford and take advantage of this terrific opportunity”, stated Abbotsford GM Ryan Johnson. “Yushiroh has set a great example as a player and as a teammate, while showing professionalism and dedication off of the ice as well. He has been an exceptional role model for our young fans in the Japanese community, and I know that is something he is very proud of. We will certainly be cheering him on.” Since joining Abbotsford, Hirano has skated in 28 games for the club, recording nine points (five goals, four assists) and registering 14 penalty minutes. He scored his first career AHL goal on January 22 against San Diego’s Francis Marotte in the Canucks’ 5-3 home victory over the Gulls. The goal was scored at the 10-second mark of the first period, and remains the fastest goal to start a game in franchise history. Hirano also recorded the first multi-point game of his AHL career when he recorded a goal and an assist in Abbotsford’s 5-4 overtime victory over Colorado on March 13. “I would like to thank the Canucks organization for allowing me to go to the World Championships”, said Hirano, “I will do my best in this tournament to show what I have learned playing in Abbotsford at this level. Thank you to my teammates, the staff, and the fans in Abbotsford for welcoming me here. My goal is to help make hockey a bigger sport in Japan, and the organization is helping me to do that.” Hirano will remain on Abbotsford’s roster for the team’s upcoming home games against San Diego on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 before leaving the team on April 12.

We hijacked his thread while he was resting on the ice

I didn't say there was, but the combination of Tkachuk, Mangiapane and Gaudreau all looking for significant raises will make it a challenge for the Flames to stay under the cap.

Well aware that they have already qualified but would really like to see them overtake Bakersfield and get home ice advantage. 1st round is best of three and team higher in the rankings gets all 3 games on home ice.

Hoping it is just a quick look as the Abby Canucks really need him in the lineup if they want to challenge for the Calder Cup.