Captain Bo Horvat
It was the city’s, “worst kept secret” according to team owner, Francesco Aquilini. On October 9th, the night of the Vancouver Canucks home-opener, Horvat was named the 14th captain in team history. A sight that was definitely worth the wait as the team wanted the fans to get an in-person look for the reveal.
It was a very special night. Many team greats from years prior were in the building to kick off the 50th season and help bring life to this franchise. The crowd cheered for their retired players such as Stan Smyl, Kirk McLean and Orland Kurtenbach, but it was Todd Bertuzzi who got the loudest response from the fans. A special, “closing of the book” for Bertuzzi here in Vancouver.
Horvat was met at center-ice by previous captain and Canucks legend, Henrik Sedin and original captain Kurtenbach to officially receive the captaincy. The place was electric and everyone was extremely happy for, Bo. The team fed off the energy of the building and crushed the LA Kings 8-2. The flood gates had opened and the goals were just beginning.
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Depth scoring
With two quality wingers in Baertschi and Goldobin clearing waivers, being sent down to Utica, it was hard to see where the Canucks were going to find scoring outside the top line. Crazy to think now that the team leads the league in goal differential with a +16 and has averaged 3.75 goals per game. That’s good enough for fourth place league-wide. Not to mention, they’ve also played fewer games than most teams at this point.
Every regular roster player has already scored a goal, minus newcomers Tyler Myers and Jordie Benn. Outside the team’s superstars, the supporting cast is firing on all cylinders and it looks like their is new life in the teams once dead-looking bottom six.
Brandon Sutter seems rejuvenated and managed to win his 3c position back from Adam Gaudette with some much improved offensive play. The palates-enthusiast is finally looking like the 4.375 million dollar man that he can be. He’s got an impressive six points through 12 games including three goals. Hopefully, he stays healthy and continues to be the elite penalty killer he’s known to be.
The depth scoring keeps on going. Josh Leivo has quietly put up six points while Jake Virtanen, Tanner Pearson and Micheal Ferland all have five. But, even more impressive, Schaller, who was once thought by fans to never play again for this team, looks like a new player all together with four goals scored already. He’s also an amazing penalty killer. It’s, “Schaller Nothing.”
We already have 12 goals in 12 games from the teams bottom six. That’s impressive.