Elias Pettersson Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 That letter is a fairy accurate representation of the season. Not sure what the OP means by "excuses" as I didn't see any in the letter. As far as owners go he's probably one of the better ones in the league. He bought this team when it was on the verge of potentially being moved to a US city. Remember John McCaw? Remember Brian Burke's quote: "To move this team takes one phone call, one phone call, 25 cents and a payphone to move this team". Luckily Francesco stepped up and risked his millions at a bad time when the dollar and the economy were crap to keep our Canucks in Vancouver. If somebody wants to pay $700 million for a hockey team they can do and say whatever the heck they want as far as I'm concerned. Francesco is certainly not in the category of a Eugene Melnyk or Jerry Jones, popping off every day about something. He has other businesses to run not just the Canucks. That letter is pretty accurate and I'm excited for the future as I'm sure others are as well. Benning has drafted a franchise centre and a top puck moving defenceman in back to back drafts, that's pretty exciting. When was the last time we had two players like that in our lineup at the same time? Looking forward to the lottery on Tuesday and hoping and praying that Jim Benning works his magic with the ping pong balls and brings us Jack Hughes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twilight Sparkle Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 i dont see anything wrong with the statement. that's a reasonable take on the season from the owner of the team. getting no arguments from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nux4lyfe Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Wow, that sounded like he threw the Sedins in the ground, What a dink move... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanSeanBean Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Great letter, agreed with with nearly everything he said. Terrible title to this thread, hate it when someone attempts to turn everything into a negative. Would have loved to see the thread on this letter be what it is, a reflection on a season that saw us take a huge step forward. This team lost its identity last summer, and our young guns came in a forged a new identity. Instead we have the thread as a back handed attempt to stir the pot.. such a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaku Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 42 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said: Aquaman is one creepy guy. The fact that he puts himself in the middle of the team picture is the epitome of arrogance. I have no idea if other team owners do this, but it is gross. He is not part of the hockey team. Studio owners don't go on stage to accept academy awards. Nobody cares about the owner. Get out of the picture. He put himself right in the middle where the captain (Horvat) should be. However, I think this letter is straightforward and truthful, so I'll give him that! I'd do that. If I owned an NHL franchise you bet your ass I'm in that team photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Neilsons Towel Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 1 hour ago, BCNeil said: Aquilini's yearly excuse letter to season ticket holders There’s no need for such an unnecessarily biased title. Perhaps it might be a good idea to edit your thread. There’s really no need to incite the fan base into an emotional response with such negativity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman64 Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 1 hour ago, BCNeil said: At training camp in Whistler last September, GM Jim Benning and Head Coach Travis Green told me this was going to be a building year for the Canucks. A year to establish a new culture and a faster, more urgent style of play. They felt compromising the future for any short-term gain wasn’t worthwhile. I agreed.We had specific goals this season. Forge a new identity, one not shaped by the Sedins. Identify the foundation players we can build around. Have our young guys, supported by veterans, come together and develop and learn just how tough it is to win in this league. Play hard, entertaining hockey. Never give up, battle every night. I thought we did that, almost every game. We played with a lot of heart. You could see chemistry develop and guys playing for each other. Don’t get me wrong. I hate losing. I don’t like finishing where we did in the standings. When you’ve come within a game of winning it all, that’s the standard. I’m disappointed that we slipped out of playoff contention after hanging tough most of the season. It’s easy to point fingers, but it’s more productive to focus on progress and the big picture. Of course we will do a careful evaluation of the team and the whole franchise. But that’s done to inform the future. We’re looking ahead, and I saw many exciting positives this year. Jacob Markstrom developing into a true number 1 goaltender, and Thatcher Demko coming along nicely. Bo Horvat maturing into a skilled, durable leader who can play with anybody, against anybody, in any situation. Brock Boeser becoming a consistent offensive producer while developing his two-way game. Elias Pettersson stepping into the league with more skill and excitement than any Canuck rookie since Pavel Bure. Quinn Hughes providing an instant upgrade to our offensive game from the back end, looking right at home in the NHL from his first shift. Other young players gaining experience, growing noticeably, solidifying their spots on the roster. Jim and his group brought in some valuable additions who strengthen our team and give us needed depth. And they signed some young prospects we think will help us down the line. I’m confident we’re on the right path. Do I wish we were further along? Of course. But I recognize it’s a long process, it requires patience, there are no shortcuts. We’re absolutely determined to get back among the elite teams, capable of challenging for the Stanley Cup year after year. As an owner and lifelong Canucks fan, that’s what I’m committed to. That means we’ve all got serious work to do—everybody in the organization, on and off the ice, pulling together, focused on the long-term goal. I believe we’re a big step closer than we were a year ago. And we’ll be another step closer a year from now. We’re all looking forward to the entry draft here at Rogers Arena in June, and the many celebrations we’ve got planned for an unforgettable 50th season. Expect more news on that front soon. We’re moving in the right direction. The ownership group—my father Luigi, brothers Roberto and Paolo, and myself—are committed to providing the resources needed to build the team that Vancouver fans deserve. We’re on a journey, and we’re glad you’re sharing it with us. Thank you for your passion and your continuing support.Francesco Aquilini, Owner and Governor I have no idea why people are shocked and pissed off we never made the playoff's, this is a rebuild with a few twists involved and still in play, twists that took time to begin to rectify and just to get started on the second phase and still probably won't be completely done until LE is off the books because 6 mil is for a top 1st/2nd line forward or a same priced Dman but we're not far off now but the "win now" and at the expense of sacrificing picks and prospects finally got traded in for rebuilding into what will be better than just a very good regular season team that gets a fast boot out of the playoff's because of next to no depth. How long have we had that over the years? No thanks, tired of watching that year after year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBatch Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 47 minutes ago, Dixon Ward said: Aquaman is one creepy guy. The fact that he puts himself in the middle of the team picture is the epitome of arrogance. I have no idea if other team owners do this, but it is gross. He is not part of the hockey team. Studio owners don't go on stage to accept academy awards. Nobody cares about the owner. Get out of the picture. He put himself right in the middle where the captain (Horvat) should be. However, I think this letter is straightforward and truthful, so I'll give him that! What the heck are you talking about? He’s a great owner, we could and have done much worse. He’s no little Ceaser or Jeremy Jacobs, he lets his management team do what they have to without anything but speculative interference. one word Melnyk...why bitch? . Aqua spent this millions to buy it, is a fan and wants a cup, what’s not to like. He writes one letter to the fans and that’s arrogant? Get over yourself, we as fans are lucky to have him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanSeanBean Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 12 minutes ago, Roger Neilsons Towel said: There’s no need for such an unnecessarily biased title. Perhaps it might be a good idea to edit your thread. There’s really no need to incite the fan base into an emotional response with such negativity. Hear hear! I felt like this was a poorly veiled troll job attempting to elicit a response. It worked on me, since I think it was a positive and well executed letter that deserved a proper discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBatch Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 1 hour ago, BCNeil said: At training camp in Whistler last September, GM Jim Benning and Head Coach Travis Green told me this was going to be a building year for the Canucks. A year to establish a new culture and a faster, more urgent style of play. They felt compromising the future for any short-term gain wasn’t worthwhile. I agreed.We had specific goals this season. Forge a new identity, one not shaped by the Sedins. Identify the foundation players we can build around. Have our young guys, supported by veterans, come together and develop and learn just how tough it is to win in this league. Play hard, entertaining hockey. Never give up, battle every night. I thought we did that, almost every game. We played with a lot of heart. You could see chemistry develop and guys playing for each other. Don’t get me wrong. I hate losing. I don’t like finishing where we did in the standings. When you’ve come within a game of winning it all, that’s the standard. I’m disappointed that we slipped out of playoff contention after hanging tough most of the season. It’s easy to point fingers, but it’s more productive to focus on progress and the big picture. Of course we will do a careful evaluation of the team and the whole franchise. But that’s done to inform the future. We’re looking ahead, and I saw many exciting positives this year. Jacob Markstrom developing into a true number 1 goaltender, and Thatcher Demko coming along nicely. Bo Horvat maturing into a skilled, durable leader who can play with anybody, against anybody, in any situation. Brock Boeser becoming a consistent offensive producer while developing his two-way game. Elias Pettersson stepping into the league with more skill and excitement than any Canuck rookie since Pavel Bure. Quinn Hughes providing an instant upgrade to our offensive game from the back end, looking right at home in the NHL from his first shift. Other young players gaining experience, growing noticeably, solidifying their spots on the roster. Jim and his group brought in some valuable additions who strengthen our team and give us needed depth. And they signed some young prospects we think will help us down the line. I’m confident we’re on the right path. Do I wish we were further along? Of course. But I recognize it’s a long process, it requires patience, there are no shortcuts. We’re absolutely determined to get back among the elite teams, capable of challenging for the Stanley Cup year after year. As an owner and lifelong Canucks fan, that’s what I’m committed to. That means we’ve all got serious work to do—everybody in the organization, on and off the ice, pulling together, focused on the long-term goal. I believe we’re a big step closer than we were a year ago. And we’ll be another step closer a year from now. We’re all looking forward to the entry draft here at Rogers Arena in June, and the many celebrations we’ve got planned for an unforgettable 50th season. Expect more news on that front soon. We’re moving in the right direction. The ownership group—my father Luigi, brothers Roberto and Paolo, and myself—are committed to providing the resources needed to build the team that Vancouver fans deserve. We’re on a journey, and we’re glad you’re sharing it with us. Thank you for your passion and your continuing support.Francesco Aquilini, Owner and Governor Why are so many confused faces here? Read the letter. He clearly stated some key things about our new emerging core. And goes on to say that this process require patience and there are no short-cuts and he’s committed to that. And that he hates losing and wants to see a cup eventually. He’s not asking for it now, he’s talking about rebuilding towards it. Hes not blowing smoke up out asses or doing the re-tool smoke and mirrors show. It’s a good letter, thoughtful and honest. What’s not to like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-SN- Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Title edited, no need to editorialize like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanSeanBean Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 7 minutes ago, IBatch said: Why are so many confused faces here? Read the letter. He clearly stated some key things about our new emerging core. And goes on to say that this process require patience and there are no short-cuts and he’s committed to that. And that he hates losing and wants to see a cup eventually. He’s not asking for it now, he’s talking about rebuilding towards it. Hes not blowing smoke up out asses or doing the re-tool smoke and mirrors show. It’s a good letter, thoughtful and honest. What’s not to like? The original title. The letter was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curmudgeon Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Great letter from a thoughtful fan who also happens to own the team. It tells us that he is committed to supporting the management team that is in place and is willing to be patient. This shows he has a clear understanding of what it takes to rebuild a team from the ground up. Makes me wonder even more what happened with Trevor Linden's sudden departure. The word "on the street" was that Linden was urging people to slow down, that a rebuild takes time. Now we hear that Benning and Green told Aquilini to slow down, that it would take time to rebuild. So why was Linden gassed? I know, I know. Water under the bridge, but still....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldBrashear Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 He forgot Dane Fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonaldBrashear Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Dixon Ward said: Aquaman is one creepy guy. The fact that he puts himself in the middle of the team picture is the epitome of arrogance. I have no idea if other team owners do this, but it is gross. He is not part of the hockey team. Studio owners don't go on stage to accept academy awards. Nobody cares about the owner. Get out of the picture. He put himself right in the middle where the captain (Horvat) should be. However, I think this letter is straightforward and truthful, so I'll give him that! In any other business, an "involved owner" is a good thing. So why not hockey? If you went to a car wash place, wouldn't you be inspired if you saw the owner out there scrubbing tires with the rest of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 52 minutes ago, Elias Pettersson said: That letter is a fairy accurate representation of the season. Not sure what the OP means by "excuses" as I didn't see any in the letter. As far as owners go he's probably one of the better ones in the league. He bought this team when it was on the verge of potentially being moved to a US city. Remember John McCaw? Remember Brian Burke's quote: "To move this team takes one phone call, one phone call, 25 cents and a payphone to move this team". Luckily Francesco stepped up and risked his millions at a bad time when the dollar and the economy were crap to keep our Canucks in Vancouver. If somebody wants to pay $700 million for a hockey team they can do and say whatever the heck they want as far as I'm concerned. Francesco is certainly not in the category of a Eugene Melnyk or Jerry Jones, popping off every day about something. He has other businesses to run not just the Canucks. That letter is pretty accurate and I'm excited for the future as I'm sure others are as well. Benning has drafted a franchise centre and a top puck moving defenceman in back to back drafts, that's pretty exciting. When was the last time we had two players like that in our lineup at the same time? Looking forward to the lottery on Tuesday and hoping and praying that Jim Benning works his magic with the ping pong balls and brings us Jack Hughes... Always take anything Burke says with a grain of salt. (Re: relocation threat). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Dixon Ward said: Aquaman is one creepy guy. The fact that he puts himself in the middle of the team picture is the epitome of arrogance. I have no idea if other team owners do this, but it is gross. He is not part of the hockey team. Studio owners don't go on stage to accept academy awards. Nobody cares about the owner. Get out of the picture. He put himself right in the middle where the captain (Horvat) should be. However, I think this letter is straightforward and truthful, so I'll give him that! Nobody cares about the owner? Eugene Melnyk owning the Canucks - who cares right? Daryl Katz owning the Canucks - perennial losers that squander picks annualy and even attempted to move the franchise, no problems? Aquilini spends money and has a Stanley Cup Final on his resume. He has done a nice job with the Benning group, the future is bright and the organization is stable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Crossbar Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Sounds like a lot of excuses. Should have been reflected in the title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Well, who thought Aq was going to throw Linden under the bus? Challenged Eugene Melnyk to a cage match... But seriously, that letter is both candid & down to Earth. Nothing trumped up good or bad? For example he could have waxed on about how great Petey was as a find, in spite of long odds drafting at 5 in 2017. Instead a simple nice statement. Or complained about injuries, Gagner? Just a healthy outlook in considering where we are at... Good letter Francis! 2 hours ago, BCNeil said: It’s easy to point fingers, but it’s more productive to focus on progress and the big picture. This is my favorite sentence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubuya Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 his grade 5 english teacher would be proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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