Canucks’ Jannik Hansen Signs in Finland

Vancouver Canucks right winger Jannik Hansen has signed a contract to play in Europe for Tappara of SM-liiga (Finland) during the lockout.

“We’re hockey players,” Hansen told News 1130. “We want to play. We don’t want to be sitting, waiting around for the owners to come forth and talk with us.  It was a fairly simple decision,”

Mar 17, 2012; Vancouver, BC, CANADA;Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen (36) during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE

Hansen had the option of returning home to play for AL-Bank Ligaen, which is semi-professional, but chose Finland for the better quality of play. Hansen said he wanted to be ready for the Danish Olympic qualifier in February, something that’s very important to him, in case the lockout drags past February and he is available to play.

During his time with Tappara, Hansen will not be making a salary and will only have his insurance covered by the club.

Since the lockout began, Hansen had been skating in Winnipeg with a group of locked out NHL players that included Jets Bryan Little, Mark Stuart, and Alex Burmistrov as well as Ryan Reaves of the St. Louis Blues and Travis Hamonic of the New York Islanders. Hansen’s wife is from Winnipeg and he owns a home there from his Manitoba Moose days.

Hansen is the second Canuck to sign overseas after Dale Weise, who is tearing up the Dutch hockey league with 13 points in four games by the way. There were reports of Aaron Volpatti signing in Europe as well, but no deal has been reached yet.

Tappara gm Mikko Leinonen tells CKWX that Hansen arrives tonight. Hansen got his insurance covered but won’t make anything after that.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012

Leinonen says the deal was struck last night. The Ducks Curtis Foster is the other NHLer on this team.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012

Just talked with #Canucks forward Jannik Hansen who signed in Finland last night. Says he just had to start playing hockey again.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012

Hansen says he had enough of waiting around – wants to play. Also Denmark Olympic qualifying in Febuary – wants to be ready for that.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012

Hansen says it’s not about money – he’s only getting his insurance covered and no extra money. Just wants to play hockey.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012

Hansen is a Denmark native – says Finnish League called and quality of play is better than back home.

— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) October 30, 2012