NHL

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes leads the NHL defenceman in scoring with 46 points and has been a big reason why the Canucks have got off to a great start. Courtesy NHL.com

Canuck captain, B.C.-born rookie phenom headline NHL all-star list

Quinn Hughes and Connor Bedard join names ike Matthews and McDavid as NHL unveils invite list

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes leads the NHL defenceman in scoring with 46 points and has been a big reason why the Canucks have got off to a great start. Courtesy NHL.com
St. Louis Blues’ Kasperi Kapanen (42) dives after a loose puck as Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Thomas scores third-period goal, lifting Blues to 2-1 win over Canucks

Conor Garland tallies lone marker for Vancouver

St. Louis Blues’ Kasperi Kapanen (42) dives after a loose puck as Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson (40) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
“We are playing a lot of good teams on this road trip – a lot of teams that have been in the playoffs – so I think it’s going to show a lot about our team and how hard we worked in these practices (after Christmas) to prepare for this road trip,” Brock Boeser on the Canucks upcoming seven-game road trip. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Canucks looking forward to the test of a lengthy road trip

Seven games, many of them in tough rinks, should be a good measuring stick

“We are playing a lot of good teams on this road trip – a lot of teams that have been in the playoffs – so I think it’s going to show a lot about our team and how hard we worked in these practices (after Christmas) to prepare for this road trip,” Brock Boeser on the Canucks upcoming seven-game road trip. Vancouver Canucks photo
Vancouver's Pius Suter celebrates a goal during the Canucks 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Rogers Arena. NHL.com photo

THE MOJ: Demanding even wins happen ‘the right way’ shows Canuck culture shift

Taking the foot of the gas against Ottawa unacceptable to this version of the team

Vancouver's Pius Suter celebrates a goal during the Canucks 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Rogers Arena. NHL.com photo
Vancouver Canucks Sam Lafferty (18) skates with the puck in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) as Jake Sanderson (85) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Vancouver Canucks jump on Senators early, finish off 6-3 win

Elias Pettersson and Pius Suter each score twice for winners

Vancouver Canucks Sam Lafferty (18) skates with the puck in front of Ottawa Senators goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) as Jake Sanderson (85) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Construction continues on and around the rink for the New Year’s Day NHL hockey Winter Classic between the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Seattle at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Bringing the Winter Classic to Seattle came with an insurance policy

The game Monday will be the 39th outdoor game the NHL has conducted

Construction continues on and around the rink for the New Year’s Day NHL hockey Winter Classic between the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Seattle at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP)
Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

THE MOJ: Vancouver Canucks get a dose of second-half hockey in loss to Flyers

It was also an indicator of what’s to come as the season moves along

Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Second-period flurry lifts Flyers to 4-1 win over Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver hosts the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 2

Philadelphia Flyers’ Joel Farabee (86) scores on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his first goal as San Jose Sharks’ Fabian Zetterlund (20) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canucks atop NHL standings after 7-4 win over San Jose Sharks

Kuzmenko nets 2 goals as Vancouver heads into holiday break with victory

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) celebrates his first goal as San Jose Sharks’ Fabian Zetterlund (20) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo

THE MOJ: The art of making practice perfect a constant juggling act

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet maps out an up-tempo plan and veers from it based on sense of team needs

A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo
Dallas Stars centre Radek Faksa (12) knocks Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland, to the ice as they compete for a loose puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Duchene scores with 9.2 seconds left in OT, Stars edge Canucks 4-3

Vancouver gave up lead late in third period

Dallas Stars centre Radek Faksa (12) knocks Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland, to the ice as they compete for a loose puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks

THE MOJ: Practice makes perfect a Tocchet foundational principle

Vancouver Canucks coach has shaped his practice regimen from an impressive group of mentors

Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks
Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) is restrained by referees has he is given a penalty unsportsmanlike behaviour during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Surging Canucks pounce on Nashville Predators in 5-2 road win

Vancouver is 19-0-0 when leading after two periods this season

Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) is restrained by referees has he is given a penalty unsportsmanlike behaviour during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vancouver Canucks right wing Ilya Mikheyev, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Boeser scores 23rd goal as Canucks top depleted Blackhawks 4-3

Vancouver visits the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night

Vancouver Canucks right wing Ilya Mikheyev, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Wild defenceman Jake Middleton (5) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) compete for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in St Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Zuccarello scores in shootout to give Wild 2-1 win over Canucks

Vancouver continues road swing Sunday against Chicago

Minnesota Wild defenceman Jake Middleton (5) and Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) compete for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in St Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser (6) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as Panthers’ Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Canucks blank Florida Panthers 4-0 on night honouring Roberto Luongo

Dakota Joshua scores 2 goals, Demko posts shutout to lead way for Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser (6) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) as Panthers’ Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period of an NHL game in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Jon Cooper is now in his 12th year as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Lightning photo

THE MOJ: Fire still burns for B.C.’s Cooper, the dean of NHL coaches

2-time Stanley Cup champion from Prince George has been a champion at every level

Jon Cooper is now in his 12th year as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay Lightning photo
Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, back, stands on the bench behind Connor McDavid, front from left to right, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on November 6, 2023. Connor McDavid has played for five coaches in his nine NHL seasons. He's watched four walk out the door. "It's very hard," the Edmonton Oilers captain said of a bench boss getting fired. "Professional sports, people sometimes forget the human side of it. There's a relationship there. "These are people with families and it's hard." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL firings part of the show for fans, for players and coaches it’s different

Real everyday relationships change when a coach gets shown the door

Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, back, stands on the bench behind Connor McDavid, front from left to right, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, in Vancouver, on November 6, 2023. Connor McDavid has played for five coaches in his nine NHL seasons. He's watched four walk out the door. "It's very hard," the Edmonton Oilers captain said of a bench boss getting fired. "Professional sports, people sometimes forget the human side of it. There's a relationship there. "These are people with families and it's hard." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser, back right, celebrates his second goal as Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev skates past during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Boeser moves into tie for NHL goal-scoring lead as Canucks beat Bolts 4-1

Vancouver forward scores hat trick; Hughes adds 3 assists

Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser, back right, celebrates his second goal as Tampa Bay Lightning’s Mikhail Sergachev skates past during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes the save as Brady Skjei, left, checks Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Canucks hang on to beat visiting Carolina Hurricanes 4-3

Tampa Bay Lightning pay visit to B.C. on Tuesday

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta (32) makes the save as Brady Skjei, left, checks Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck