"I go on ice, Vancouver Canucks jersey. I’m happy."
by Yankee Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 6:56 AM PDT
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The quote above? From Sergei Shirokov after his first game wearing the Orca.
Sure, it's just prospects camp. Sure, it's just one game. And sure, it was against the University of Alberta Golden Bears of all teams. But Shirokov - the first Russian player fans can get remotely excited about since Artem Chubarov (no Fedor Fedorov doesn't count and you should be ashamed for thinking as much) is quickly going to become loved if he maintains this sort of play into next week's veteran camp:
There seems little doubt that Shirokov, one of only two Russian players to leave the KHL for entry-level NHL deals this summer, has the skills to play for the Canucks. There is a question about his size: 5-10 and 165 pounds.
He began to answer that question Wednesday when after getting run over by Alberta assistant captain Eric Hunter in the first period, Shirokov crushed the former Prince George Cougar a period later with the game’s biggest hit.
I encourage you to read the full article as it gives you a good idea of what kind of player he is and how badly it seems he wants to be a Canuck. Great stuff.
As for the game last night, the Canucks feel behind early but evened it up in the first on a goal from Kellan Tochkin (assisted by Bliznak and Shirokov). Kevin Connauton stood out for his strong game in addition to notching a pair of goals in less than a minute early in the second (Shirokov got the lone assist on the first while Walsky and Rai factored in on the second). Tochkin would add his second goal later in the game (assisted by Bliznak and Oberg) and the Canucks - behind netminders James Reid & Bobby Nadeau - hung on for the 4-3 victory. Shirokov, Tochkin and Connauton were named the three stars.
And if you missed the game because of the wonky feed we found, you're in luck: tonight, when the Canucks move on to Leduc, Alberta to face off against the Edmonton Oilers Prospects, canucks.com will be streaming the game live starting at 6 p.m. PT.
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I am very excited for this guy. Shirokov sounds like he has Ovechkin’s personality (wish he had his skill-set, but it sounds like he’s got a pretty decent one himself) which should make him a fun guy to have around. In these days of selfish, mega-millionaire athletes it’s refreshing to see a guy who seems to genuinely enjoy playing the game at a high level regardless of the money. I’m rooting for him to have a great training camp and make the squad.
it’s refreshing to see a guy who seems to genuinely enjoy playing the game at a high level regardless of the money
Yeah, enjoy that while it lasts.
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 10, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m apprehensive. There’s no doubt he’s an incredibly skilled player I just don’t know how long he’ll stick around in the AHL if he doesn’t make the team right away. I mean it took him forever to come over here in the first place.
I just don’t know how long he’ll stick around in the AHL if he doesn’t make the team right away. I mean it took him forever to come over here in the first place.
Everything that has been written about this kid suggests that won’t happen. Worst case scenario? He’s not good enough for the NHL and goes back to Russia. Not a big loss considering we started with nothing and didn’t expect to have him.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
He seems pretty motivated to make an impact at the NHL level. I’m sure he would take a shot at the AHL at least for a season if management can convince him that’s the best way. It’ll be great to see what he pulls off with the vets next week (and that Demitra injury could be a big opportunity for him and others to play their guts out)
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
i’m rooting for Shirokov.
btw, is he a RW or LW? i’ve read mixed reports which have me confused. if he’s a RW, i could imagine him with Burrows and Kesler on a line together, and putting Samuellson with the Sedins (which was done at the last Olympics when the swedes won gold).
thanks for informing us of the link earlier on in the day. last night, i didn’t get on here and find out about the streaming until 15 minutes before the game, so i had to rush to make dinner, and missed the first 5 minutes of the game. today, i know to make dinner as soon as i get back from class.
GO CANUCKS GO!
He’s a left winger
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m not sure it really matter what wing he is. Remember when we had no Right Wingers? The coaches just put him on an off wing or something like that
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 10, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Well we have yet to seem him compete with the big boys. I like his attitude but I don’t think I can judge him as a hockey player until he plays with and against other hockey players. I’ll stick with merely being intrigued by him for now. We’ll see where it goes from here.
by Beantown Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 10:04 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I too have seen Shirokov listed as LW and RW; maybe he plays either? Apparently he also lost 11 lbs coming over here, cuz he had been listed as 176 before and now they say he’s 165.
Be good to see him against the pros, soon. I view the KHL as being about halfway between the AHL and the NHL, so if he was a KHL star, he should rate as a top-notch AHL’er or better. The big thing for him will be to adjust his game to the smaller ice and to the hitting. So far it sounds like he’s pretty adaptable; he got the hang of the smaller ice after one period and didn’t shy at all away from the hitting.
Mason Raymond is the one being pushed here, maybe Hansen, too. If Shirokov turns out to be a finisher….
Raymond
Mason Raymond is the one being pushed here, maybe Hansen, too.
You think Raymond is in trouble by Shirokov? I could see Hansen, maybe, but I think Raymond’s probably endeared himself enough that he’d stick even as a speedy defensive forward.
If they keep Shirokov to start the year, I’d expect to see him with Kes/Sam, or something like that, assuming Burr starts with the twins.
Part of my reasoning is also that I see Hodgson sticking w/the Canucks this year. W/Demitra out for now, he can fill the open spot … well, till Demitra comes back. But then, we also have Shirokov and perhaps Grabner coming up, and who knows, maybe Sundin returning, too.
Something’s gotta give and we all know a trade is in the works. Raymond and Hansen weren’t great finishers last year; not horrible, but not great. If Shiro is ready for the NHL and can finish well, he’ll push both of them. And in a trade, Raymond & Hansen are known quantities, but Shiro is not. So I see both of them as feeling the heat.
That’s why, some time ago, I asked if anyone had seen Raymond, cuz his biggest weakness last year was physical strength, and with his linemates Wellwood and Bernier both coming back from the offseason lean and mean (courtesy of a club-monitored fitness program) I wondered if Raymond had done the same.
He will need to improve his strength if he is to turn the corner and drive the net this year and thereby get the goals. Absent that, I think he’s trade bait, and that’s not even considering whether or not Grabner’s ready, too. I could see both Raymond & Hansen being added as sweeteners (young & cheap talent w/lots of upside) to a deal that moves a more expensive player, be it a D-man or the Demitra-man.
That said, I could also see Raymond in particular having a breakout year. Man, no wonder Gillis is delaying his decision as long a possible!
Good points, but I think in a trade, Raymond brings back value. Hansen is a lesser known and less flashier type player so moving him is more of a straight up dump.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
As the centrepiece of a trade, you’re right; Hansen’s not there yet. But as a “sweetener” I suspect a lot of teams would look at him as a useful player. I sure would.
He’s young, cheap, decent size, fast and makes a dependable 3rd liner, plus he’s still improving.
Yeah, a toss in for sure. But I don’t see Gillis moving both so, if he’s forced to move one, it would probably be Raymond. Hansen I can see being lost on waivers while attempting to be moved to Manitoba.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Sep 10, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ll go with Yankee’s opinion on this one too. I’d hate to see Raymond go though, since he can prove a lot in a contract year…but whatever makes the team better I don’t care what happens.
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 10, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice.
He began to answer that question Wednesday when after getting run over by Alberta assistant captain Eric Hunter in the first period, Shirokov crushed the former Prince George Cougar a period later with the game’s biggest hit.
Smells like a Bure/Churla incident…without the tooth-loss
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 10, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
heh
Except this one at least sounds like it was clean, Bure’s, while a thing of beauty, was all elbow.
Yeah, it was clean. I’m just broadly comparing a Russian player snapping after getting banged around
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 10, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I was grinning wide enough to make my skull fall off after seeing Bure’s hit, mate. Loved the come-back! Especially when Stars management complained to the media…
Hey, Churla! Head UP when you drift to the centre of the ice!
There was no excuse for Bure doing that. Plain dirty, but because it was a Canucks that did it, I’ll let it slide :)
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 11, 2009 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't know
Got him respect and room, served notice he wouldn’t be bullied, hey it worked for Howe…
Oh for sure! I’m not saying I didn’t and don’t enjoy watching that “mother of all elbows” and the message it sent. But it was dirty. Didn’t he get a 1 game suspension for that? Damn imagine if he did that today..
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 11, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
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