vancouver canucks

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, top, talks to players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rick Tocchet took over the Vancouver Canucks a year ago, with the team struggling to find consistency in how it played, combined with wins. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Nam Y. Huh

One year later, Tocchet has brought accountability to the Canucks

A year after he took the job of guiding a struggling team, coach has them atop the NHL standings

 

Called out by Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet during training camp, Dakota Joshua has rebounded with his best-ever season in the NHL. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: How Dakota Joshua has found the extra 5% he needed

Canuck grinder has taken a step after realizing what steps he had to take

 

The Vancouver Canucks have signed president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford to a multi-year contract extension. Rutherford, centre, general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet listen during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Major turnaround nets Rutherford a 3-year extension to lead Canucks

President of hockey operations admits he’s surprised by how quickly the team has turned things around

 

Vancouver’s Nils Hoglander celebrates with teammate Dakota Joshua after a goal during the game against the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night at Rogers Arena. Joshua’s goal late in the second period would give the Canucks a 2-1 win over the visitors. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Canucks have to screen out noise as they continue to earn the day

There is plenty of reason to believe this Canuck team is for real

Vancouver’s Nils Hoglander celebrates with teammate Dakota Joshua after a goal during the game against the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night at Rogers Arena. Joshua’s goal late in the second period would give the Canucks a 2-1 win over the visitors. Vancouver Canucks photo
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet addresses the media after his team lost 4-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Success of gruelling road trip more evidence Canucks are for real

You don’t have to wait to see them play the big boys, this is a legitimately good hockey team

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet addresses the media after his team lost 4-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. Vancouver Canucks photo
Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov, shown here in Tuesday night’s 5-2 win against the Islanders in New York, has been one the pieces acquired in the team’s blueline overhaul. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: It’s amazing what a year has done for the Vancouver Canucks

Remember last January, when Canuck fans were urging the team to tank for Connor Bedard?

Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov, shown here in Tuesday night’s 5-2 win against the Islanders in New York, has been one the pieces acquired in the team’s blueline overhaul. Vancouver Canucks photo
Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy has been out of the lineup since Nov. 12 after suffering a left ankle injury in Montreal. NHL.com photo

THE MOJ: Soucy close and Canuck fans should expect to see him soon

Out since mid-November, big defender is itching to get back at it

Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy has been out of the lineup since Nov. 12 after suffering a left ankle injury in Montreal. NHL.com photo
“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
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
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
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Demko the latest Canuck to land on the NHL’s three stars of the week

Demko turned aside 89 of the 93 shots he faced, going 3-0-0

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)

PODCAST: Red-hot Canucks ride high near top of NHL standings

NHL UPDATE: McKinley, Wolf look at surprise teams, HOF candidates

Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)
Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Luongo reflective as he prepares to enter Canuck ring of honour

Hall of Fame goalie remembers his time in Vancouver as the most important part of his career

Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)

Hockey Fights Cancer: Vancouver Island youth skates with the Canucks

A handful of cancer survivors were invited to attend the Canucks versus Ducks game

Port Hardy Hawks player Weston Ireton (right) watches the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks from the bench. (Vancouver Canucks Facebook photo)
Surrey’s Noah Juulsen is hoping to establish himself as an NHL regular with the Canucks. photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks

THE MOJ: B.C.’s Juulsen dealing with the pressure of becoming a regular

In year 7, Lower Mainland product still trying to prove himself as an everyday player

Surrey’s Noah Juulsen is hoping to establish himself as an NHL regular with the Canucks. photo courtesy of Vancouver Canucks
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) plays against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Detroit. Bedard has been named the NHL’s rookie of the month for November.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Paul Sancya

B.C.’s Bedard named NHL rookie of the month for November

Canuck captain Hughes named the league’s 3rd star

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) plays against the Detroit Red Wings in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Detroit. Bedard has been named the NHL’s rookie of the month for November.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Paul Sancya
The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames on Thursday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Photo courtesy of Calgary Flames

THE MOJ: Zadorov should mean the hits keep coming for the Canucks

Big defenceman pleases fan base, looks like the right player at the right price

The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames on Thursday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Photo courtesy of Calgary Flames