Bur14Kes17 Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 WHISTLER, B.C. — Father knows best. So does an imposing newcomer. If Jake Virtanen needs more direction and fewer distractions in his sophomore National Hockey League season, he can reference some sage advice on the home front and in the locker room. Rainer Virtanen has schooled his son that there’s a time and place for everything, but the Vancouver Canucks winger’s focus should be on his career. There will be lots of time for good times with his buddies when his career is over. Being a first-round draft choice and the hometown kid brings attention to Jake Virtanen. And hulking defenceman Erik Gudbranson, eager to assume the mentorship of young players, has already taken Virtanen under his wing. Put the two guiding forces together and meeting expectations on and off the ice should be easier for the local first-round pick. Not that it’s easy when you have a rabid fan following and endured a rocky rite of passage to the professional game as an impressionable rookie. “When you go out somewhere and you’re the hometown guy, it’s just part of the gig,” said Virtanen. “I’m 100 per cent happy with it when I go shopping and everybody knows you. It’s kind of cool. But it is a little added on pressure.” If all that isn’t enough, the Canucks have said this much to the sixth overall selection in the 2014 draft: We need your 6-foot-1, 223-pound football-like frame to pound opponents, and we need your speed and skill. We also need to see growth and consistency. However, the 20-year-old could be sent to the Utica Comets for more minutes and Travis Green’s school of hard knocks. It’s why Virtanen is the wild card. Skating on a training-camp line with Cole Cassels and Mike Zalewski has the makings of an American Hockey League alignment. Then again, if Anton Rodin can’t get up to speed following a January knee tendon laceration and surgery, Virtanen would be a good fit on the right side with Brandon Sutter and Alex Burrows. It’s just added incentive for Virtanen, who logged 55 games last season and teased of potential with seven goals and six assists. “I’m ready to make a big step and show I belong here,” said Virtanen. “It was crazy last year and definitely a whirlwind. I went to Utica for two games. I got hurt, and was in and out of the lineup, and in a way it was just everything — on ice and off ice. But I’m over that year.” It was a year that included incredible world junior hockey championship scrutiny and being put in the crosshairs for Team Canada’s shortcomings. “That was hard because there was a lot of hate out there and I was happy to see him deal with it,” said Rainer. “He’s strong that way.” Virtanen has grown in every capacity and guidance on the home front hasn’t hurt. His parents encouraged their son to get involved in charities to understand how fortunate he is as a professional athlete. They also knew they had to keep him busy because he always needs to be doing something. “He was the one who made sure he was busy,” added Rainer. “He wanted to play every sport and we had to slow him down because there was rugby, lacrosse and in-line hockey and there wasn’t enough time in the day. We had to settle him down and pick a sport or two.” Keeping Virtanen busy away from sporting endeavours wasn’t a hard sell. Rainer told his son last fall to get involved in the community and he responded by giving food to homeless people on a regular basis. “There’s one guy in particular he found on the street — a young guy maybe 20 years old — and Jake talked to him, gave him food and really encouraged him to get off the street,” said Rainer. “And the guy’s sister sent Jake a Facebook message a month ago that he’s been off the streets and really appreciates the talk they had last fall.” Erik Gudbranson is letting his actions do the talking to mentor Jake Virtanen. It’s a side of Virtanen you don’t hear about and one he doesn’t publicize. It gives him the balance every pro needs and made his summer more meaningful. It made hitting the gym three weeks after the season ended easier and those grinding Monday-to-Friday workouts in the gym more rewarding. Then he met Gudbranson. “Just a solid team guy,” said Virtanen. “I found that out from being with him just a week and we started hanging out. I’m going to learn a lot from him. He was a young guy like me when he came to the NHL and he’s still on the younger side (24) and knows exactly what it takes. “He told me it’s only been in the last 1 1/2 to two years that he started to figure it out and how to be a pro.” In Florida, Gudbranson was given guidance by a trio of former Canucks — Ed Jovanovski, Willie Mitchell and Roberto Luongo — and joked at media day Thursday in Rogers Arena that he had never been on a podium to answer questions and was a little nervous. Imagine being the local kid whose jerseys fly off the shelves and knowing everybody wants to rub shoulders with the amiable winger? “There’s a large portion of his life that his buddies are experiencing and he’s in a situation where he can’t do that,” said Gudbranson. “And Jake is a pro, I’ll give him that. Since I’ve been around him, I can see he’s a heck of a player. As for me, I believe people follow you based on your actions and not what you say and if you can’t back it up, it means nothing. “I’m not going to get on his case — I’m not that guy. I also don’t understand what he’s going through and I’ve never had to experience that. There’s a large amount of responsibility playing in a market like this and even more when it’s your hometown. That pressure is there. He’s going to take strides and he’ll gain it with age and some things you don’t learn until you get to my age. “We need him to be a big player for us. He seems to understand that.” Trading away McCann for Gudbranson is already beginning to seem like a huge win for us. Not only when you look at the price that the Oilers paid for Adam Larsson, but also when you begin to hear about the off ice impact that he's having on Jake and on ice stuff he's doing with Hutton. I'd kinda been worried about Virts off season after some of the stuff that came out in the media towards the end of last season but it sounds like he's got a great set of parents who are keeping him focused and now that Guddys taken him under his wing I think we might just see the best of Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 We'll definitely see this kids resolve if he is indeed sent to Utica. Will he play down to that level or will he begin to dominate down there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outsiders Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Read it yesterday, great piece. Looks like Virtanen is starting to realize what it takes and that the Canucks aren't giving him any free pass. Ive always liked Virtanen, he has the potential to be something great! If he just keeps his nose clean, puts in the time and effort required I believe he can get there. He may not be the smartest kid (learning systems and overall hockey IQ) but thats alright. As long as he learns to be responsible in the D-zone he'll be fine. Really hoping to see his offensive game take a major jump this season. 15-17 goals would be great As for Gudbranson what a beauty. He obviously knows Virtanen needs some guidance, and he has already taken Jake under his wing. I liked what was said about not so much talking to Jake about things but going out at showing it through his actions on how to act and conduct yourself. Jake still has a lot to learn but with Burr,Sedins,Guddy and others he is in good hands. Ultimately its up to Jake tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I love Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cripplereh Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Nothing new as most young kids who are picked high go threw something similar,only difference he is from the area but again that is nothing new in sports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I know this article is mostly about Jake, but the more I read and hear about Gudbranson. Especially when it's coming from him, the more I like him. He's going to be a hell of a guy for this team, and that's not even getting into what he could be for us as a player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 6 minutes ago, Coconuts said: I know this article is mostly about Jake, but the more I read and hear about Gudbranson. Especially when it's coming from him, the more I like him. He's going to be a hell of a guy for this team, and that's not even getting into what he could be for us as a player. I wonder if he could be as good as BIG HAROLD SNEPTS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 2 minutes ago, Alflives said: I wonder if he could be as good as BIG HAROLD SNEPTS? Hard to say, Snepts was a special player in his own right. We'll see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 3 minutes ago, Alflives said: I wonder if he could be as good as BIG HAROLD SNEPTS? We already have our new #27 Ben Hutton. Now if only he can grow a porn 'stache like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blömqvist Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 4 hours ago, Bur14Kes17 said: Trading away McCann for Gudbranson is already beginning to seem like a huge win for us. Not only when you look at the price that the Oilers paid for Adam Larsson, but also when you begin to hear about the off ice impact that he's having on Jake and on ice stuff he's doing with Hutton. I'd kinda been worried about Virts off season after some of the stuff that came out in the media towards the end of last season but it sounds like he's got a great set of parents who are keeping him focused and now that Guddys taken him under his wing I think we might just see the best of Jake. That's the big takeaway that some of us (or most, I dunno) were forgetting when the trade went down. There's value in a guy like Gudbranson that can't be measured quantitatively. Gudbranson is without a doubt helping to develop Virtanen, Hutton, and any other younger player that comes onto the team. Whether it be helping to develop their professionalism, or their game on the ice, or even the overall team toughness and physicality, Gudbranson is impacting our team in ways that can't be measured. I just hope our defense goes into beastmode with Gudbranson and Tryamkin laying out guys left right and centre, and with Virtanen punishing guys on the forecheck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronic.Canuck Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Can't wait for the season to start so we can see who's ready to take the next step. Very excited about Gudbranson and I hope Virtanen can prove he doesn't need time in the AHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlanB Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 5 hours ago, Fanuck said: We'll definitely see this kids resolve if he is indeed sent to Utica. Will he play down to that level or will he begin to dominate down there? That's why, all things considered and more or less equal, you always take the asset with character vs marginally better talent. The character guys like Bo & Virt tackle adversity head-on whereas the spineless assets like, let's say Nikushkin, well - they simply take their ball and go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realtor Rod Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 You could see Virt sticking to keep in the mentorship of a guy like EG. His skill set is NHL ready. Let the peacock fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFCanuck Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Analytics can't measure leadership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Just now, playboi19 said: Analytics can't measure leadership. Seriously, any data collected like these analytics stats are collected can't measure anything accurately. I say Willie Mitchel's and Bobby Lou's response to the Gudbranson trade is far more representative of Gudbranson's value. "WTF" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 8 minutes ago, playboi19 said: Analytics can't measure leadership. Do people know if a player is good by scouting/watching or by reading a corsi, fenwick or some other bunk #? Analytics are junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush17 Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 10 minutes ago, Salacious Crumb said: Do people know if a player is good by scouting/watching or by reading a corsi, fenwick or some other bunk #? Analytics are junk. 17 minutes ago, Alflives said: Seriously, any data collected like these analytics stats are collected can't measure anything accurately. I say Willie Mitchel's and Bobby Lou's response to the Gudbranson trade is far more representative of Gudbranson's value. "WTF" the cross between your avatars and a green pigment and I think we have yoda LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 1 minute ago, Rush17 said: the cross between your avatars and a green pigment and I think we have yoda LOL True dat. Plus Alfie is as old as Yoda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 1 minute ago, Rush17 said: the cross between your avatars and a green pigment and I think we have yoda LOL A stud Gudbranson is, who stole from Florida JB did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Luongo Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 I have no doubt young Virtanen will earn his spot and of anything I'm excited about other than having great players like Gudbranson, Erikkson and Sutter playing this season it's the team physical presence we now have and Virtanen will be a huge part of that! This kid has tonnes of skill and that nasty edge we desperately need especially at forward to play against the elite teams or any teams for that matter in the conference. I think this year will be a breakout season for big Jake and imo he's going to play like a absolute beast and be a very good physical and scoring presence. Can't wait to watch this kid and his fellow skilled youngsters as well as all the new additions including a healthy Sutter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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