(Article) Canucks: How fatherhood fuelled Vasily Podkolzin with added NHL incentive

[RWJC]

Canucks: How fatherhood fuelled Vasily Podkolzin with added NHL incentive

 

Vasily Podkolzin is proof that life moves fast.

 

Married at age 19 and now a first-time father at 22, the Vancouver Canucks winger has added incentive to crack the opening-night roster next month.

 

As a professional athlete, provider and support system for wife, Sasha, his NHL career pursuit and home life took on new meaning with the birth of daughter Alisa in July.

 

“The big highlight of my summer,” a grinning Podkolzin said Tuesday following a team pre-camp skate at the University of B.C. “It’s a different schedule and different feelings, and I try to watch her (Alisa) as often as possible. Yesterday was two months, and she’s already different. It’s a great feeling and extra motivation for me to play better.

“It’s a big step for us. We thought about it for about a year, and when Alisa was born, it was such a great feeling. We understand that we’re living for each other and our daughter and everything is positive right now. I’m skating with a smile.”

 

The Moscow native is also in the final year of his entry-level contract, and the restricted free agent looked leaner and quicker Tuesday, but also stronger. He trained and skated with NHL players in Vancouver this offseason because his wife couldn’t fly once her pregnancy reached 36 weeks. That allowed him to gain an extra and needed competitive push in the gym and on the ice.

 

With a glut of wingers heading to training camp in Victoria next week, getting a leg up on the roster competition is vital under the critical eye of head coach Rick Tocchet.

 

Podkolzin is physically healed from a left wrist injury suffered during a board battle on March 25 in Dallas. It shut down his season and kept him from playing in the AHL playoffs with Abbotsford.

“I wanted to help and I didn’t want to be a bad guy, but I just couldn’t play,” said Podkolzin.

 

He has also mentally healed from enduring the dreaded sophomore slump. After scoring 14 goals in his rookie season, he couldn’t buy a goal to start last season and had just three assists through 16 games. He was also a healthy healthy scratch on six occasions.

 

His assignment to the minors on Abbotsford in Nov. 29 was actually a major development. He took ownership of poor play, and embraced guidance from coach Jeremy Colliton and player development masters Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

 

Podkolzin’s 18 points (7-11) in 28 games were a result of understanding adversity and doing something about it to earn an NHL recall.

 

“I had two ways to go. Give up, or work,” he recalled. “It was good for me to get some AHL games to remember who you are and start appreciating. It was being stronger on the puck and confident and just focusing on yourself and not other things.

 

“It’s about what you learn and working on your mentality. This is my third year here and I want to be useful for this team. I’ve been thinking about it all summer and have to stay positive. I’m ready.”

 

There’s going to be opportunity.

Ilya Mikheyev won’t be at camp and could also miss the preseason as a precaution following February knee surgery. Tanner Pearson will be at camp, but how his surgically repaired hand that endured six procedures responds remains to been seen. The veteran hasn’t playing since suffering the injury Nov. 9 in Montreal.

 

How Anthony Beauvillier and Nils Hoglander figure into the winger mix — especially if Brock Boeser and Conor Garland patrol the right side on second and third lines — could determine Podkolzin’s roster fate. He could be a fourth-line winger or maybe more. It’s up to him.

 

At his best, Podkolzin was called a moose and a bull by Tocchet, who was impressed by Podklozin’s potential and willingness to learn.

 

“When he moves his feet, he’s really a bull,” said Tocchet. “Where he and some of our young guys get in trouble is with reads, but I like to get Podkolzin out there in certain situations.”

That’s good because Podkolzin needs to show he can contribute. He had just seven points (4-3) in 39 NHL games last season, with 41 shots and a 9.8 shooting percentage. 

 

As for Podkolzin’s wrist, it didn’t require a procedure and strengthened to the point where he could shoot without any discomfort by the middle of June.

“I thought it was broken after the hit, but the MRI (magnetic resonance image) showed nothing and everything is good — for shot, stick handling and passing,” said a relieved Podkolzin. “It hurt most when you have this little part of your body injured and you can’t help the team or practice or even hold the stick, just skating hard.”

 

Ben Kuzma

Published Sep 12, 2023  • Last Updated 1 day ago  •  4 minute read

 

https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-how-fatherhood-fuelled-vasily-podkolzin-with-added-nhl-incentive/wcm/4c197b63-05e4-4e88-84b1-8d6bee73e2a9/amp/

Edited September 14, 2023 by RWJC

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

My understanding of new parents is that they simply abandon any semblance of a sleep schedule.  Oh well!

[Ted Lasso]

Just thinking about which prospects would make the biggest impact IF they could take a big step this year…

 

Podz is our only power forward who’s close, and we need more size/toughness throughout the lineup.

 

[EddieVedder]

1 hour ago, Ted Lasso said:

Just thinking about which prospects would make the biggest impact IF they could take a big step this year…

 

Podz is our only power forward who’s close, and we need more size/toughness throughout the lineup.

 

Hogz n podz tied for me.  We need them both to be top 9 guys for us this yr

[DrJockitch]

Podz reaching his potential is like a lab made winger for EP. If he comes in flying our lines fit together much better. Still don’t know how to fit all the wingers in. 
I said going into last year that our best chance for improvement was to see Podz improve. 
He had off year and so did we. 
We see these stories every year of this player coming in in best shape ever. This year alone we have Podz, Kuz and Brock all coming in in best shape ever. 
Professional athletes don’t deserve pats on the head for coming in in shape. That should be the expectation.
How much money did you take before deciding to act like a professional?  

These guys have had trainers and dieticians since they were 10 if they didn’t know what to do before now that was arrogance and willful ignorance. 

[KingRaj91]

Maybe I'm overrating Podz and Hogz, but I genuinely feel like if these guys have breakout years, this team will look extremely different and be more than just a fringe playoff team. Really feel like Podz especially has star potential - really hope he can put it together, would be the perfect winger for Petey.

[IBatch]

8 hours ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

My understanding of new parents is that they simply abandon any semblance of a sleep schedule.  Oh well!

With only one parent working, it can be set up where Podz doesn't lose any sleep.   Get used to ear plugs though.   

[IBatch]

8 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

Just thinking about which prospects would make the biggest impact IF they could take a big step this year…

 

Podz is our only power forward who’s close, and we need more size/toughness throughout the lineup.

 

Pretty sure Hogs is waived.   With Ilya M not been rushed or used in the pre-season, teams best off keeping him on the LTIR, and giving a spot on the right side for Podz.    As of now that means PDG is bumped then, even with Mikheyev.   Studnicka is also our only RHC, so that means he's bumped too, 3 guys, just to make room for Podz.   As for Hogs,  Kuzmenko, Beau, Pearson are locks, and we already know Tochett likes Joshua.    One of those guys likely has to go down in camp for Hogs to get a shot. 

 

Edit:  I see Podz making the team out of camp in the bottom six, the nice thing about his game, even if the offense never comes, he's still an effective checker.  A healthy team would have to do something bold like waiving Joshua Beau, or Pearson to add both guys.

Edited September 13, 2023 by IBatch

[IBatch]

55 minutes ago, KingRaj91 said:

Maybe I'm overrating Podz and Hogz, but I genuinely feel like if these guys have breakout years, this team will look extremely different and be more than just a fringe playoff team. Really feel like Podz especially has star potential - really hope he can put it together, would be the perfect winger for Petey.

If they both work out, it's likely a result of injuries.   If they earn spots in the top six and bump guys, then yes, we will be an absolute force.   That means we can create a third line, that can score, and a shut down line.    Or two, two way bottom six lines. 

Edited September 13, 2023 by IBatch

[Wanless]

15 hours ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

My understanding of new parents is that they simply abandon any semblance of a sleep schedule.  Oh well!

So he will be the road warrior

[Strawbone]

15 hours ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

My understanding of new parents is that they simply abandon any semblance of a sleep schedule.  Oh well!

That was true for my wife and I, but if we were millionaires, we definitely would have hired a nanny to make our lives easier. Some fussy babies are an incredible amount of work and having extra help would be amazing.

[Pears]

14 hours ago, DrJockitch said:

Podz reaching his potential is like a lab made winger for EP. If he comes in flying our lines fit together much better. Still don’t know how to fit all the wingers in. 
I said going into last year that our best chance for improvement was to see Podz improve. 
He had off year and so did we. 
We see these stories every year of this player coming in in best shape ever. This year alone we have Podz, Kuz and Brock all coming in in best shape ever. 
Professional athletes don’t deserve pats on the head for coming in in shape. That should be the expectation.
How much money did you take before deciding to act like a professional?  

These guys have had trainers and dieticians since they were 10 if they didn’t know what to do before now that was arrogance and willful ignorance. 

100% agree. Once he hits his stride I think he’d be the perfect compliment to Pete and Kuz, which certainly go a long way for us. 

[sashimii]

Dude who wrote this? You can't just copy and paste a news article without crediting the writer.

 

Next time just post a link the story or something this is hella sus lol.

Edited September 14, 2023 by sashimii

[Hogs & Podz]

Nice to hear an article focused on Podz, because he's obviously my favorite player.  But gotta say, it shouldn't take having a child to motivate you to get to another level.  Regardless, if that helps Podz great... It seemed to help Bo during the bubble playoffs as well but...

 

The young man just needs to get out of his own way and kick some ass!  He is a bull, through and through, it's all about confidence for him. 

 

I don't believe we've even seen what he could be in the slightest yet.  I expect a game changer.  A guy that can almost single handedly put the team in his back and will a win by using that blistering snap shot or physically imposing his will and just bowling his way to the net and score.  Hopefully this is the year... And if so, his effectiveness will correlate with the team making some noise, should they make the playoffs. 

[RWJC]

4 hours ago, sashimii said:

Dude who wrote this? You can't just copy and paste a news article without crediting the writer.

 

Next time just post a link the story or something this is hella sus lol.

There ya go. Simple error in cut/paste. I post frequently so just must have missed in formatting.

 

That said, you’re welcome for it being posted in the first place. And as well, some folks want to read it directly so consider them as well, hmmm? 

 

Hella sus? Gimme a break. 
Why don’t you try contributing something…10 posts since 2021.

Complaining is the best you’ve got?

Some people just like to bitch I guess. Or act like one anyway. Congrats.

Edited September 14, 2023 by RWJC