The Instigator

WHAT’S IN A Name?

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (1970 - Present) The first pro hockey team in Vancouver was called the Millionaires (1911-1922), later renamed the Maroons (1924-1926). They played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, which became the Western Hockey League, before folding in 1926. It wasn’t until 1970 that Vancouver claimed a new pro team, the Canucks, through NHL expansion. The name comes from two resources: Johnny Canuck was an animated political cartoon character from 1869, later reinvented as a blue-collar action hero who combated Nazis. He has been portrayed in various ways over the years, from a dashing, pipe-smoking military officer to a barrel-chested, toque-wearing lumberjack. Also, the word Canuck is an old slang term, like Yankee, that can be traced from the words Canada and Chinook. The Chinook are a western aboriginal people…

Net Gains

1. ZACHARY FUCALE Halifax (QMJHL) Leads the ‘Q’ in wins this year and plays big minutes for ‘The Herd’. 2. ERIC COMRIE Tri-City (WHL) Tabbed for big things since the bantam draft; has NHL bloodlines. 3. VILLE HUSSO HIFK (Fin.) Already with the big club; led his under-20 squad to a title last season. 4. TRISTAN JARRY Big backup is adept at taking away the bottom of the net. 5. EAMON MCADAM Waterloo (USHL) Set for All-American Prospects Game and World Jr. A Challenge.…

PLUS MINUS

+PLUS ‘V’ FOR VACATION – AND VICTORY Hawks D-man Johnny Oduya vacations in Thailand and decides to play there. He leads his team to the title in a tourney that also features Vesa Toskala playing forward. –MINUS UNHOLY LAND OHL’s Brampton Battalion relocating to North Bay, citing poor attendance. So much for Greater T.O. being hockey’s Mecca. +PLUS HORAK ON FIRE IN ABBOTSFORD Flames prospect gets dubbed “Roman Scorak” after 10 goals in 10 games (including first career hat trick) to lead AHL in goal-scoring. –MINUS GEAR GRAB Criminal masterminds steal equipment from NAHL’s Fresno Monsters and are busted selling it back to an undercover cop posing as a player.…