Penticton, BC - The Vancouver Canucks opened training camp Thursday at the South Okanagan Events Centre, and the first morning already offered a few clear early takeaways.
Thatcher Demko was on the ice for light individual work, though Canucks GM Ryan Johnson had already said yesterday that the goaltender would not be a full participant in camp. Jeff Paterson caught video of Demko working with Lucian Bernat and Akil Thomas as shooters. Bernat, the Canucks’ sixth-round pick in June, missed the prospect showcase with an injury, and Thomas also does not appear healthy enough to take part in camp.
The club then released its two camp groups and the day’s schedule, and a few pairings immediately stood out. Zeev Buium and Filip Hronek were split into different groups, so they won’t begin camp getting reps together.
Hronek was grouped with Jamie Oleksiak, which suggests those two could see time as a pair. Group B also sets up some interesting possibilities on defense, with Buium and Tom Willander having worked together last season, and DPetey potentially skating with Luke Schenn if that alignment holds.
Up front, the BRÖ line - Öhgren-Rossi-Boeser - could be in play in Group B. Braeden Cootes, Brooks Rogowski and Adam Novotny were also placed in the same group.
The schedule called for Group A to go at 10 AM for goalies, 10:20 AM on the main sheet, and 11:25 on the practice sheet. Group B was set for 12:05 PM for goalies, 12:25 PM on the main sheet, and 1:30 PM afterward.
When Group A took the ice, the first drill was a neutral zone forechecking install. It was too early to draw any firm conclusions about how the Canucks’ systems will look under their new head coach, but Manny Malhotra’s presence was obvious right away. His intensity was high, and he didn’t hesitate to call out players who were coasting or executing a drill incorrectly, whether it was a veteran or someone at their first camp.
A board battle drill followed, and the pace stayed high. Brooks Rogowski stood out in that segment, along with Adam Novotny. Both players, drafted over the summer and attending their first NHL training camps, handled themselves well against legitimate NHL competition.
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Liam hgren was one of the standouts, scoring twice and giving his side a noticeable spark, while Elias Pettersson added the goal that forced the game to overtime in the first place. For a camp group still sorting itself out, those kinds of moments matter because they can show which forwards are finding chemistry early and which players can tilt a scrimmage even in a short format. The result itself will fade quickly, but the way a few key names were involved should keep this particular camp storyline in view. [Read more 🡒]
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Among the names drawing attention are Aatu Rty and Braeden Cootes, two young players whose situations are worth watching as the roster takes shape. Malhotras comments suggested the Canucks are looking for more than just energy or promise in these spots, with the opener serving as an early test of who can handle the details that come with NHL minutes. Fans wont get the full picture until puck drop, but the game will at least be available via video stream and radio for anyone wanting an early look. [Read more 🡒]