Canuck News Archives

CANUCKS SIGN DEFENCEMAN KEVIN BIEKSA TO A THREE YEAR EXTENSION

Vancouver, B.C. - As first released on Canucks.com this morning, Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed defenceman Kevin Bieksa to a three year extension beginning in 2008-09 through 2010-11. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bieksa, 26, concluded the 2006-07 season with 42 points (12-30-42) in 81 games played, finishing tied for 24th in scoring amongst all NHL defencemen. His 12 goals ranked in the top 20 among NHL defencemen. The Grimsby, Ontario-native led Canucks defencemen in points (42) and assists (30) and was second amongst Canucks skaters in average ice time per game (24:16). Bieksa went on to play in nine playoff games, registering 20 penalty minutes. The 6'1", 205-pound blueliner was also honoured with two team awards: the Walter (Babe) Pratt award for Best Defenceman and the Fred J. Hume award as the unsung hero.

In two seasons, Bieksa has recorded 48 points (12-36-48) and 211 penalty minutes in 120 NHL career games played.

Bieksa was selected by the Canucks in the 5th round, 151st overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

CANUCKS SIGN FREE AGENT GOALTENDER CURTIS SANFORD

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed free agent goaltender Curtis Sanford. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sanford, 27, appeared in 31 games with the St. Louis Blues in 2006-07 posting a record of 8-12-5, with a 3.18 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a Save Percentage of .888%. In 73 career NHL regular season games, all with the Blues, Sanford has compiled a record of 26 wins, 26 losses and 10 overtime decisions. In his NHL career he has posted a .901 Save Percentage and a 2.79 GAA.

The 6-foot, 190 lbs. native of Owen Sound, Ontario, was originally signed by the Blues organization on October 1, 2000.

CANUCKS SIGN LEFT WING JASON JAFFRAY

Jaffray, 26, appeared in 77 games for the Manitoba Moose in 2006-07, registering a team high 81 points and 75 penalty minutes. He led the Moose in scoring during the 2007 Calder Cup playoffs with 13 points (6-7-13) and six penalty minutes.

The Rimbey, Alberta native signed a pro-tryout agreement with Manitoba on February 26, 2005.

CANUCKS SIGN FREE AGENT FORWARD GREG CLASSEN

Classen, 30, joins the Canucks after spending the 2006-07 with the Hamburg Freezers of the German Hockey League. In 50 games played, Classen registered 35 points (9-26-35) and 70 penalty minutes. Prior to 2006-07, Classen had appeared in 90 career NHL games, all with the Nashville Predators, recording 17 points (7-10-17) and 48 penalty minutes. His most productive season in the NHL was during the 2001-02 season, when he appeared in 55 regular season games and notched 11 points (5-6-11) and 30 penalty minutes.

The 6'1", 190 lbs. native of Aylsham, Saskatchewan was also a member of the AHL Calder Cup Champion Milwaukee Admirals in 2003-04.

CANUCKS RE-SIGN CENTRE BRAD MORAN

Moran, 28, played 69 games with the Manitoba Moose last season recording 25 goals, 47 assists (25-47-72) and 52 penalty minutes. His 72 regular season points and 11 playoff points ranked second on the Moose in team scoring. He also played three games with the Canucks recording one assist and two penalty minutes. In 13 playoff games with the Moose, Moran recorded 11 points (5-6-11) and 12 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot, 190 lbs., native of Abbotsford, British Columbia was originally drafted in the seventh round, 191st overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

CANUCKS SIGN CENTRE BYRON RITCHIE AND WINGER BRAD ISBISTER

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed centre Byron Ritchie and winger Brad Isbister. In keeping with club policy, no financial terms of the deal will be released.

Ritchie, 30, comes to Vancouver after having played the 2006-07 season with the Calgary Flames. The 5'10", 190-pound centre registered 14 points (8-6-14) and 68 penalty minutes in 64 games as well as 10 penalty minutes in one playoff game. The Burnaby, B.C. native has appeared in 253 career NHL games, recording 47 points (22-25-47) and 293 penalty minutes with three NHL teams.

The centre was originally selected 165th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Hartford Whalers.

Isbister, 30, joins the Canucks after having registered five points (1-4-5) and 14 penalty minutes in 19 games with the New York Rangers during the 2006-07 season. The Edmonton, Alberta native also saw time in four playoff games, registering two penalty minutes. The nine year NHL veteran has recorded 211 points (100-111-211) and 577 penalty minutes in 486 games played with five NHL teams. Isbister has represented Canada on the International stage on a number of occasions including the 2000 and 2001 World Championships and winning a Gold Medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships.

The 6'4", 227-pound left-winger was originally drafted 67th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

CANUCKS RE-SIGN DEFENCEMAN LUKAS KRAJICEK

Krajicek, 24, played in his first season with the Canucks last season after being acquired from Florida Panthers, recording career high numbers in goals (3), points (16), and games played (78). The 6'2", 190 lbs. defenceman finished the season with 16 points (3-13-16) and 64 penalty minutes, including two game-winning markers. Krajicek also made his NHL playoff debut with the Canucks, appearing in all 12 of Vancouver?s post-season games, notching two assists and 12 penalty minutes. In 168 career NHL games split between Vancouver and Florida, Krajicek has registered 39 points (6-33-39) and 126 penalty minutes.

Krajicek was originally selected in the first round, 24th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by Vancouver along with Roberto Luongo and a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Bryan Allen, Alex Auld and Todd Bertuzzi.

CANUCKS SIGN GOALTENDER CORY SCHNEIDER

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed goaltender Cory Schneider. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Schneider, 21, signed his first pro contract after being selected by Vancouver in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The 6'2", 195-pound native of Marblehead, MA played the last three seasons with Boston College. Among his list of accomplishments in the 2006-07 season include finishing first in the NCAA in wins, saves and minutes played, five Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week honours and a NCAA NE Region Most Outstanding Player selection.

CANUCKS RE-SIGN FORWARD JEFF COWAN TO A TWO YEAR EXTENSION

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have signed forward Jeff Cowan to a two year extension.

Cowan, 30, split the 2006-07 season between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. After appearing in 21 games and registering two assists with the Kings, Cowan was claimed off waivers by the Canucks on December 30, 2006. In 42 games with Vancouver, the Scarborough, Ontario-native recorded 10 points (7-3-10) and 93 penalty minutes.

The 6?2?, 205-pound winger made his NHL playoff debut with Vancouver last season. In 10 post-season games he scored two goals, including an overtime game-winner in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Final series against Anaheim. Over seven NHL seasons, Cowan has played for four teams including the Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, and Los Angeles Kings. In 367 career NHL games, Cowan has registered 80 points (47-33-80) and 585 penalty minutes.

Cowan was originally signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames on October 2, 1995.

CANUCKS RE-SIGN CENTRE RYAN KESLER TO THREE YEAR DEAL

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have re-signed centre Ryan Kesler to a three year deal. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kesler, 22, appeared in 48 games for the Canucks last season, recording 16 points (6-10-16) and 40 penalty minutes. He missed the last 34 games of the regular season due to a hip injury. The former first round draft pick made his NHL Playoff debut in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Final series against the Dallas Stars on April 11, 2007, registering two shots and logging 27:51 of ice-time before suffering a season-ending hand injury. In 158 career games with the Canucks, Kesler has tallied 18 goals, 26 assists (18-26-44) and 135 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-2, 205 pound native of Livonia, Michigan has experienced success on the international stage, most recently playing for Team USA at the 2006 IIHF World Hockey Championships in Latvia. Kesler scored the game-tying goal in the Final at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship in Helsinki to help win the gold medal for the U.S. He was also a member of the 2002 squad that captured the IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Kesler received the Best Player Award at the conclusion of the tournament.

Kesler was selected in the first round, 23rd overall by the Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Semi-final Series

GAME FIVE: Canucks 1 @ Ducks 2 (OT)

The Canucks' season came to a sad finish Thursday night in double overtime against the Ducks, as Anaheim took the series 4-1.

Scott Niedermayer wristed a harmless shot from the point with no traffic in front of the net. Roberto Luongo didn't see it until it was in the blue paint, and wasn't able to get to it before it crossed the goal line.

The Canucks' tender seemed to be lobbying the ref for a penalty after Rob Neidermayer leveled Jannik Hansen, but as Luongo was making his case, Scott Niedermayer scooped up the puck and dished it into the Canucks goal to take the game 2-1.

It was a goal Luongo will probably have nightmares about, but it's not at all fair that this loss fall on his shoulders. After all, those were the very same shoulders that carried the entire Canucks team into the game's fifth period in the first place.

The Ducks outshot the Canucks 63-27, and the Canucks never registered more than eight shots in a period. The Ducks also out-hit the Canucks, won more face-offs, and drew more penalties.

Anaheim's Samuel Pahlsson opened the scoring for the Ducks in the second period on a controversial goal. Travis Moen drove Luongo back into the net with his stick 0:14 into the second period allowing Pahlsson to flip his first of the playoff into an open side.

Though that particular chance shouldn't have been a goal, the Ducks certainly deserved one. Going into the third period, Brendan Morrison knew his team was lucky they weren't down any more than one.

"We may think we're working hard, but we're overplaying guys, we're not making the right reads," he said The thing is, we've been outchanced. Our goalie's been outstanding and given us a chance to win."

Luongo gave them the chance for sure, but the Ducks were the ones who made the most of opportunity - as slim as it was.

GAME FOUR: CANUCKS 2 VS DUCKS 3 (OT)

In their first game played in May since 2003, the Canucks lost a close battle to the Ducks by a score of 2-3 in overtime on May 1, 2007. Markus Naslund struck first, scoring his third goal in his third consecutive game. Brendan Morrison added to the Canucks lead with his first goal of the playoffs at 17:31 in the second period. Chris Pronger cut the Canucks lead in half with a goal at 3:58 in the third. Teemu Selanne evened the score at 14:18 in the third, forcing the game into overtime. Travis Moen registered the game-winner at 2:07 in the first overtime period. Roberto Luongo registered 27 saves. The Canucks won 57% of face-offs.

Three Stars: 1) T. Moen, 2) B. Morrison, 3) C. Pronger.

GAME THREE: CANUCKS 2 VS DUCKS 3

Playing their first home game of the second round at General Motors Place, the Canucks lost to the Ducks 3-2. Vancouver outshot Anaheim 13-2 in the first period and were rewarded for a strong start with a powerplay goal scored by Markus Naslund at 19:12. The Ducks took the lead for the second time on the power play at 9:45 of the middle frame when Francois Beauchemin netted his third of the postseason. Daniel Sedin equalized at 14:31 of the same period. Anaheim regained the lead scoring the eventual game-winner at 7:51 of the third period on the powerplay from Corey Perry.

Three Stars: 3) J.S. Gigure, 2) D. Sedin, 1) C. Perry

GAME TWO: CANUCKS 2 AT DUCKS 1 OT

The Canucks tied the series with a 2-1 victory at Anaheim on April 27, 2007. Markus Naslund opened scoring, notching his second goal of the 2007 post-season at 6:30 in the second. Anaheim evened the score at 11:01 in the second when Travis Moen banked in the rebound. Through three periods of action the score was tied, forcing overtime. In the second overtime period at 7:49, Jeff Cowan, assisted by Trevor Linden, registered the game-winning goal. Roberto Luongo made 43 saves.

Three Stars: 3) S. Niedermayer, 2) J. Cowan, 1) R. Luongo

GAME ONE: CANUCKS 1 AT DUCKS 5

The Canucks opened the second round of the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs on the road at Anaheim on April 25, 2007. Jeff Cowan got the Canucks off to a 1-0 quick lead when he scored unassisted at 7:07 in the first. With the Ducks on the powerplay, Andy McDonald tied things up with a goal at 9:24. The Ducks would add two more goals in the first from Teemu Selanne and McDonald. In the third, goals came from Ryan Getzlaf and McDonald for the hat trick.

Three Stars: 3) T. Selanne, 2) C. Kunitz, 1) A. McDonald

2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs Quarterfinal Series

GAME SEVEN: CANUCKS 4 VS STARS 1

In the seventh and deciding game of the opening round, the Vancouver Canucks took the Dallas Stars to the wall and beyond. Joel Lundquist opened the scoring for the Dallas Stars in the first period. Henrik Sedin answered for the Canucks in the second period, ending Marty Turco's career-best shutout streak at 165:45. Trevor Linden pocketed the eventual game winner 7 minutes into the third period, also on the power play. Taylor Pyatt and Bryan Smolinski each added insurance markers late in the period.

GAME SIX: CANUCKS 0 AT STARS 2

The series returned to Dallas for game six on Saturday, April 21. The Stars tied the series 3-3 with a 2-0 win on the night. Mike Modano registered the game's first goal (which would be the game-winner) at 3:05 in the first on the power play. Jeff Halpern added to Dallas' lead at 7:22 in the third, notching an unassisted goal. Roberto Luongo registered 28 saves.

Three Stars: 1) M. Modano, 2) M. Turco, 3) R. Luongo.

GAME FIVE: CANUCKS 0 VS STARS 1 (OT)

For the third time this series, the game had to be settled in overtime and saw Dallas register their first OT win of the 2007 playoffs. Through three periods, neither Roberto Luongo nor Marty Turco let in a goal, facing 25 and 20 shots, respectively. In the first overtime period, Brendan Morrow registered the game-winner at 6:22 on the powerplay. The series will return to Dallas for game six with the Canucks leading the series 3-2.

Three Stars: 1) B. Morrow, 2) M. Turco, 3) R. Luongo.

GAME FOUR: CANUCKS 2 AT STARS 1

The Canucks earned their second win in as many games at the American Airlines Center in Dallas defeating the Stars by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday night. Scoreless through the first two periods, Vancouver was first to break the deadlock on a goal from Mattias Ohlund at 9:46 of the third period. Less than three minutes later Dallas tied the game with a goal from Darryl Sydor. Exactly two minutes later, at 14:29, Trevor Linden scored to give Vancouver the lead; Linden's goal ultimately was the game-winner. Roberto Luongo stopped 26 of 27 shots for his third career postseason win.

Three Stars: 1) R. Luongo, 2) T. Pyatt, 3) M. Turco.

GAME THREE: CANUCKS 2 AT STARS 1 (OT)

For the second time of the series, overtime was needed to settle the game, seeing Vancouver squeak out a 2-1 victory in Dallas on Sunday, April 15. Stu Barnes opened scoring mid-way through the second, when he notched a power play goal at 13:09. Vancouver tied things up at 5:18 in the third when Jan Bulis scored, forcing the game into overtime. At 7:47 in the first overtime, Taylor Pyatt, assisted by Bryan Smolinski and Trevor Linden, notched the game-winner to give the Canucks a 2-1 series lead. This marked the first game of the series that the team that scored first did not win the game.

Three Stars: 1) Taylor Pyatt, 2) Mattias Ohlund, 3) Marty Turco.

GAME TWO: CANUCKS 0 VS STARS 2

The Stars evened the series at 1-1 with a Vancouver loss on April 13 in game two. Twenty-four seconds into the game, Jeff Halpern scored the opening goal to give the Stars a quick 1-0 lead, which would hold as the eventual game-winner. Joel Lundqvist added to the Stars lead, with a goal of his own at 0:45 in the second. Stu Barnes recorded an assist on each goal. Robert Luongo faced 27 shots, making 25 saves.

Three Stars: 1) S. Zubov, 2) H. Sedin, 3) M. Turco.

GAME ONE: CANUCKS 5 VS STARS 4 (4OT)

The Canucks and Stars opened their playoff series with a statement game that stretched deep into the fourth OT period and lasted at total of five hours, 21 minutes. Vancouver defeated Dallas 5-4. Daniel Sedin scored the first goal of the game at 4:20 of the first period. The Stars came back with a goal just over one minute later from Brenden Morrow on the power play. Entering the second period Mattias Ohlund scored for Vancouver on the power play at 6:26. Trevor Daley reciprocated with a Dallas goal at the 10-minute mark. At 13:47 Markus Naslund scored unassisted giving the Canucks the lead going into the third. Bryan Smolinski increased Vancouver's lead at 7:36 in the third but Dallas came back with goals from Antti Miettinen and Ladislav Nagy to force overtime. After playing 78:06 of OT, Henrik Sedin solved Marty Turco, scoring the game winner. Roberto Luongo stopped 72 shots in his playoff debut for the win.

Three Stars: 1) R. Luongo, 2) H. Sedin, 3) S. Zubov.