'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Vancouver Canucks' development camp faceoff settled on shootout with dinner wager on the line
The mood in the Vancouver Canucks development camp is high, as up-and-coming players are facing off to prove themselves. Led by Canucks development coaches Mike Komisarek and Mikael Samuelsson, the camp saw a wager that needed to be settled.
Players put money on the table at the end-of-week scrimmage and the loser had to pay for dinner after Thursday's finale between Team White and Team Blue. The game tied at 4-4, with Team Blue winning the shootout.
Coach Komisarek praised the players' spirit while speaking to reporters (via The Province):
“You love the competitiveness. As much as we harp on being deliberate, having intentions every time you go on the ice or in the gym, that competitiveness, that fire, that trumps everything. You love that stuff.”
“You’ve got to have patience as you try to do the right things. … If you’re going to hit the NHL, it will take time."
Despite being smaller than usual, the 38-athlete camp this year will have just as much firepower, as per the coaches. When asked why this year's camp is smaller, Komisarek replied:
“I ask you, what’s the purpose of a really big camp?"
He also said that while there was a limit to how small a camp could be, they are more interested in developing the players in their system.
“We are drafting our players, we’ve got to believe in those guys."
The Vancouver Canucks will be looking to go further next season
The Canucks ended the regular season with a phenomenal record, finishing top of the Pacific Division with 109 points. However, they came up short in Round 2 of the playoffs against eventual finalists, the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite brushing aside the Nashville Predators across six games in Round 1, the Oilers proved too strong for Vancouver. The Canucks put up a real fight but were eliminated via a 3-2 defeat in Game 7.
Ahead of next season, Vancouver will be hopeful to repeat their regular season dominance. If they can make a few changes and strengthen a little, the franchise knows it could well win its first Stanley Cup.
Trending
