The Canuck Way
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Canucks: Redrafting their 2003 draft class (part 1)

By Owen Gibbs

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 21: National Hockey League teams stand ready to begin the 2003 NHL Entry Draft at the Gaylord Entertainment Center on June 21, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/NHLI)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 21: National Hockey League teams stand ready to begin the 2003 NHL Entry Draft at the Gaylord Entertainment Center on June 21, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/NHLI) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: David Backes #42 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at TD Garden on December 01, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: David Backes #42 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at TD Garden on December 01, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Canadiens 3-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2nd Round (60th overall): David Backes

The Canucks could have complimented Bergeron’s abilities with a solid top-six presence in David Backes, who was originally selected by the St. Louis Blues just two picks after this one.

Although he has declined sharply since signing with the Bruins in 2016, Backes was once a key part of returning the Blues to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Known for his feisty style, Backes has racked up five 50-point seasons and five 100-plus penalty minute campaigns. He captained the Blues for five seasons from 2011-2016 and represented them at the 2011 All-Star Game. Backes even represented the United States at three World Hockey Championships and was a member of their 2010 and 2014 Olympic rosters.

With this pick, the Canucks actually chose Marc-Andre Bernier, who spent three seasons in their system, never entering an NHL game, before playing out the rest of his professional career in France. Backes would have been a far more successful pick.

4th Round (111th overall): Joe Pavelski

The Canucks could have had even more elite leadership in Joe Pavelski, another U.S. national team veteran who captained the San Jose Sharks from 2015 until his departure from the team in free agency last summer.

Pavelski could have been the savviest pick from this draft, seeing as the Sharks drafted him in the seventh round, 205th overall. Just like Bergeron, he is a member of the 1,000-game club, having reached the mark this season with the Dallas Stars, his only season away from San Jose.

Pavelski has recorded 792 NHL points to date, including a streak of six consecutive 60+ point seasons from 2013-2019. As deep as the 2003 draft was, he is perhaps the greatest steal.

In reality, the Canucks took winger Brandon Nolan with the 111th pick. He has become well-known in the years since retiring from professional hockey as an advocate for young Indigenous athletes. However, he only ever played six NHL games, none of them for the Canucks, unfortunately making this pick unsuccessful.

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