Sep 29, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Linden Vey (44) battles with Arizona Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal (11) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
The #44 jersey in Vancouver has quite the mystique thanks to its most infamous wearer of the number in former first line forward Todd Bertuzzi, who experienced many highs and an infamous low while wearing the Vancouver Canucks jersey before the Steve Moore incident ended his career with the franchise in disgrace.
Since then, the number hasn’t stuck around long with any given player. Naturally because of the significance of the jersey, but partially due to dumb luck at the same time as the lack of a prominent player wearing the No.44 with the Canucks has kept the number relatively dormant in recent years.
It appears that will continue this season as promising prospect Linden Vey has shed the double digit number in favour of a single digit one before the start of the season, making the #44 jersey once again inactive in the Vancouver Canucks jersey number rotation. According to Vey, the number was “too flashy” according to the mild mannered Wakaw, Sask. product so the decision was made to switch to #7 for the season.
Linden Vey has confirmed that he has switched to No. 7. He started camp/pre-season with 44 on his back #Canucks
— Rich Brown (@richbrownsports) October 1, 2014
Linden Vey might just be most low key guy in #NHL. He admitted that number 44 was too flashy for him. Wanted a simpler number. So 7 it is
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) October 1, 2014
Vey’s mild mannered nature makes this move unsurprising, but one day the next #44 will wind up on the Canucks regardless of the weight the digit may carry for reasons both good and bad. It won’t be Vey, who could be an up and coming prospect that is looking to carve his own path with the Canucks. The fact he felt the number was too flashy showing the type of humble personality that makes him an unique character from a small rural Saskatchewan town.