The Vancouver Canucks were buzzing with energy as four of their five Olympians returned to practice at the University of British Columbia. Fresh from their Olympic journey in Milano, Elias Pettersson, Filip Hronek, Teddy Blueger, and David Kämpf rejoined their teammates, while Kevin Lankinen remained at the Olympics, vying for bronze with Finland against Slovakia.
With nearly a full roster available, head coach Adam Foote finally had the chance to run line rushes, something he hadn't been able to do all week. The only player missing was Brock Boeser, sidelined by an illness but still managing to skate solo.
Foote assured everyone that Boeser's condition wasn't related to his previous concussion, which had kept him out for five games. The hope is for Boeser to rejoin team practice by Monday.
During Saturday’s session, the team engaged in a spirited five-minute three-on-three game. Foote later joked about missing the chance to stage a Canada vs. USA matchup among his players, a nod to the upcoming gold medal showdown.
Defenceman Zeev Buium, still sporting a full facial cage from a January 25th injury against Pittsburgh, is on track to return for the Canucks' first post-break game against Winnipeg. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Jonathan Lekkerimäki will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Coach Foote expressed his delight at having the Olympians back, noting their eagerness to hit the ice despite being offered a day off. “They helped with the depth today at practice,” he remarked, emphasizing the strong session they had.
Elias Pettersson shared his Olympic reflections, highlighting the thrill of representing Sweden. “It was a cool experience.
The game against the US could have gone either way. It feels good to be back, though I’m a little jet-lagged,” he admitted, glad to reconnect with his teammates.
Teddy Blueger described the Olympics as a unique adventure, filled with quality hockey and a whirlwind schedule. Despite the lack of downtime and the smaller-than-expected athlete village, he felt enriched by the experience, even if he missed out on attending other events.
The Canucks are gearing up for their return to NHL action, ready to channel their Olympic experiences into the rest of the season.