NHL

Tom Willander puts on a Vancouver Canucks jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

THE MOJ: Canucks fill a need with top draft pick, but should they have?

Some questioning whether they missed out on better talent by picking Swedish defenceman

Tom Willander puts on a Vancouver Canucks jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ken Holland speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday May 7, 2019. NHL teams got back to wheeling and dealing on the second day of the NHL draft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

‘Pretty boring’: Little trade action marks 2-day NHL draft

Flat cap conditions put handcuffs on player exchange that typically accompanies amateur selection

Ken Holland speaks at a press conference in Edmonton on Tuesday May 7, 2019. NHL teams got back to wheeling and dealing on the second day of the NHL draft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood wears a Nashville Predators hat and jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Nanaimo hockey player chosen in 1st round of NHL draft

Matthew Wood selected 15th overall by the Nashville Predators

Nanaimo’s Matthew Wood wears a Nashville Predators hat and jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chicago Blackhawks select Connor Bedard 1st overall at NHL draft

Canucks select Tom Willander at No. 11

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson poses with first round draft pick Connor Bedard during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
NHL draft prospect Connor Bedard skates across the ice during a youth hockey clinic with other draft prospects and members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Bedard is expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the NHL draft on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV

NHL draft moment almost here for phenom Connor Bedard

Bedard expected to go first, who follows and where will they go at NHL draft?

NHL draft prospect Connor Bedard skates across the ice during a youth hockey clinic with other draft prospects and members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Bedard is expected to be selected with the No. 1 pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the NHL draft on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV
Randall, Lucas, Rosalind and Ryan Johansen - along with Ryan’s girlfriend Abbey Gray - celebrate Lucas and the Hershey Bears winning the AHL Championship in Palm Springs last Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Randall Johansen

THE MOJ: Perseverance pays off for B.C.’s ‘other’ Johansen brother

Lucas win American Hockey League title with family, including NHLer Ryan, cheering him on

Randall, Lucas, Rosalind and Ryan Johansen - along with Ryan’s girlfriend Abbey Gray - celebrate Lucas and the Hershey Bears winning the AHL Championship in Palm Springs last Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Randall Johansen
An Ottawa Senators player warms-up with rainbow-coloured hockey tape prior to taking on the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t wear themed warmup jerseys for the team’s annual Pride night celebration Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

McDavid no fan of NHL decision on themed jerseys after Pride refusals

‘We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride nights’

An Ottawa Senators player warms-up with rainbow-coloured hockey tape prior to taking on the Vancouver Canucks in NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t wear themed warmup jerseys for the team’s annual Pride night celebration Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Edmonton Oilers hockey player Connor McDavid poses with the Ted Lindsey Award, the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy at the NHL Awards, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Connor McDavid wins third NHL MVP, 1 vote short of unanimous selection

Oilers superstar previously won Hart Trophy in 2017 and 2021

Edmonton Oilers hockey player Connor McDavid poses with the Ted Lindsey Award, the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy at the NHL Awards, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard poses for photographs with the trophies he received at the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony, in Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Bedard, the presumed No. 1 pick of this year’s NHL draft won the CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and David Branch Player of the Year awards. It’s the first time since the Top Scorer award was introduced in 1994 that a player has won all three in a single season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NHL draft journey nearly complete for B.C.’s Connor Bedard

Touted as the NHL’s next big star, prospect ‘always all-in to practise or play’

Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard poses for photographs with the trophies he received at the Canadian Hockey League awards ceremony, in Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Bedard, the presumed No. 1 pick of this year’s NHL draft won the CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and David Branch Player of the Year awards. It’s the first time since the Top Scorer award was introduced in 1994 that a player has won all three in a single season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Radko Gudas (7) warm up while wearing a Pride Night hockey jersey before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. Bobrovsky, who is Russian, did take part in warmups the night the Staal brothers declined and in the aftermath of several countrymen deciding not to wear Pride jerseys. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)

NHL drops theme-night jerseys after Pride refusals cause distractions

Bettman: ‘(It’s) more of a distraction from really the essence of what the purpose of these nights are’

FILE - Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Radko Gudas (7) warm up while wearing a Pride Night hockey jersey before playing the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. Bobrovsky, who is Russian, did take part in warmups the night the Staal brothers declined and in the aftermath of several countrymen deciding not to wear Pride jerseys. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)
Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green stands on the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The New Jersey Devils say Green has been hired as an associate coach, joining head coach Lindy Ruff’s staff. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ex-Canucks coach Travis Green added to the New Jersey Devils coaching staff

‘Travis has a wealth of coaching experience from his time at the junior, AHL and NHL levels’

Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green stands on the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Vancouver, on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The New Jersey Devils say Green has been hired as an associate coach, joining head coach Lindy Ruff’s staff. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, center, watches as his number is retired before an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, in New York, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Munson

Henrik Lundqvist, Caroline Ouellette among Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2023

Tom Barrasso, Mike Vernon, Pierre Turgeon, Pierre Lacroix and Ken Hitchcock also selected

Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, center, watches as his number is retired before an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild, in New York, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Munson
A fan presents her self-drawn Carey Price painting to the goaltender at Homebase 2022 in Kelowna. (Jake Courtepatte/Capital News)

NHL star Carey Price coming home to B.C. full-time

Canadiens goalie and family have moved out of their Montreal home

A fan presents her self-drawn Carey Price painting to the goaltender at Homebase 2022 in Kelowna. (Jake Courtepatte/Capital News)
Kids play ball hockey at an NHL Street event in Boston, Mass., on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The league launched a street hockey program earlier this year aimed at getting more people interested in the sport. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen)

Vegas-Florida Stanley Cup Final shows the value of street hockey in many US markets

‘The more kids are playing hockey in any form, the better it is for the growth of the game’

Kids play ball hockey at an NHL Street event in Boston, Mass., on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The league launched a street hockey program earlier this year aimed at getting more people interested in the sport. (AP Photo/Jimmy Golen)
Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II

Vancouver Canucks buy out defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s contract

Team will pay Swedish defenceman $19.33 million over the next eight years not to play

Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II
Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee hoists the Stanley Cup. (nhl.com photo)

THE MOJ: Knights fans may not have suffered for the cup, Vegas leader is another story

After a 40-year run in pro hockey, George McPhee finally fulfills his Stanley Cup dream

Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee hoists the Stanley Cup. (nhl.com photo)
Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Knights of West Coast: Stanley Cup champion Vegas has a number of B.C. ties

Several Golden Knights both on and off the ice have roots in British Columbia

Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Former Cowichan Valley Capital Laurent Brossoit is headed to the Stanley Cup Finals. (Citizen file) Port Alberni minor hockey product and former Cowichan Valley Capital Laurent Brossoit has won the Stanley Cup. (Citizen file)

Vancouver Island goalie Laurent Brossoit adds his name to Lord Stanley’s Cup

Port Alberni product celebrating Vegas victory after team knocks off Florida

Former Cowichan Valley Capital Laurent Brossoit is headed to the Stanley Cup Finals. (Citizen file) Port Alberni minor hockey product and former Cowichan Valley Capital Laurent Brossoit has won the Stanley Cup. (Citizen file)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Original Golden Knight Misfits key part of Vegas Stanley Cup run

6 Knights were on the 2017-18 team that made the Stanley Cup final in the team’s first year

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Viva Las Vegas! Golden Knights hammer Florida 9-3, win 2023 Stanley Cup

Expansion club earns NHL title after just 6 seasons in league

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)