Canucks' Vincent Desharnais playfully belittles the city of Calgary
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Vincent Desharnais poked fun at the city of Calgary. In a recent appearance on the Jason Gregor show, Desharnais took to the airwaves to throw some playful tease the fellow Western Canadian city.
“I mean, Vancouver is not as bad as Calgary.”
Vincent Desharnais’ comments come on the heels of his moving from Edmonton to Vancouver. Last season, Desharnais was a contributor to the Edmonton Oilers’ deep postseason run. However, he left Edmonton to join the rival Canucks as a free agent.
Desharnais opened up about his feelings for Edmonton and the hard decision to leave the city:
“I said it during the season, and I said it after the season, and I want to stay in Edmonton. I’ve been a part of the Edmonton Oilers for eight years. I’ve been bleeding Oilers. I’ve been bleeding orange. It’s been Oilers ever since I got drafted.”
Despite Vincent Desharnais’ love for Edmonton, a change was on the cards. Desharnais added:
“But it’s also business. And, it’s probably the aspect I like the least about hockey, is the business aspect because it’s, I don't know, it just takes away all the emotions and it’s just numbers, and it’s not real life, in my opinion. But that’s the business.”
While Desharnais understands that hockey also involves a business aspect, he also understands that there are always new opportunities.
Desharnais concluded:
“If I go with the Canucks, I will be playing them (Edmonton). But after when you think about it, you’re like, well, it could have been worse, it could have been Calgary.”
Desharnais’ humorous comments underscore his outlook on life. While it was hard leaving Edmonton for Vancouver, at least it wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to him.
Vancouver Canuks like what they see in Vincent Desharnais
Desharnais signed a two-year deal on July 1 worth $2 million AAV. The deal allows Desharnais to move on to the next phase in his career while giving the Canucks skills the club wants.
Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin had this to say about Desharnais as reported by NHL.com:
“We were really impressed by the strides Vincent made this year at the NHL level. Our team got to see firsthand how big and strong he is on the ice during our playoff series against Edmonton.”
Allvin continued his positive comments regarding Desharnais’ addition to the club:
“The coaching staff are really looking forward to working with him this year, to help him grow and improve as a hockey player."
Vincent Desharnais projects as a third-pairing defenseman for the Canucks. Nevertheless, the club hopes he can evolve into a much-needed shutdown blueliner as the Canucks look to get over last year’s roadblock, the Edmonton Oilers.