As the Vancouver Canucks gear up to resume their NHL schedule, they hit the practice ice at the University of British Columbia on Monday morning with a mix of anticipation and preparation.
Brock Boeser, who had missed Saturday’s practice due to an illness, was back on the ice donning a red non-contact jersey. Boeser, who had been sidelined for five games before the Olympic break with a concussion, returned to practice last week but had to leave early on Friday.
His presence on the top power play unit alongside Elias Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk, Marco Rossi, and Filip Hronek, despite the non-contact status, was a promising sign. Meanwhile, the second power play unit featured Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, Conor Garland, Evander Kane, and Linus Karlsson, under the watchful eyes of Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
The session started on the expansive rink at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre, focusing on special teams, before moving to the fresh ice of the Father David Bauer rink.
With the NHL trade deadline looming, Coach Adam Foote noted that no players had been benched for asset management, but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the trade season. He also mentioned that a snowstorm on the East Coast had delayed Kevin Lankinen’s return from the Olympics, which means Lankinen would likely get some time off upon his return. In his absence, Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera were the goaltenders in practice, preparing to face the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
Zeev Buium, still sporting a full cage to protect a facial injury, has been fully participating in practices and is expected to play against the Jets.
A highlight of the practice was a spirited one-on-one battle between Filip Hronek and Nils Höglander, showcasing the team’s competitive edge and eagerness to return to game action.
Coach Foote expressed confidence in the team’s readiness: “They’re ready to play. When you see guys getting into it in those battle-type drills, you can tell they’re itching to get a game in.
They practiced hard again today. So they’re trending up.”
Regarding Boeser’s non-contact status, Foote clarified: “He didn’t feel good a couple of days ago. The staff just had to make sure it was a viral issue and not his concussion. He looked really good today and my guess is that he’ll be in a regular jersey tomorrow.”
In the locker room, the recent Olympic gold medal game was a hot topic. Conor Garland praised the tournament, highlighting the tight, high-stakes games. Meanwhile, Max Sasson shared his early morning routine to catch the US-Canada showdown, enjoying some friendly banter with teammates, especially Evander Kane, during the game.
As the Canucks prepare for their upcoming matchups, the energy and camaraderie in practice suggest they’re ready to hit the ice with renewed vigor.