Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd Hockey fans in Vancouver are hungry for a championship. After all, the last Stanley Cup victory came in 1915 with the Vancouver Millionaires. The Canucks got close in 1982 and 1994, but the club’s only titles were in its pre-NHL, minor-league incarnation. So some Vancouver […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd For Vancouverites, the lyrics of the famous soccer anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rang true this winter: “Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown.” Heavy storms toppled Stanley Park’s trees, deflated the roof of BC […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd “Hockey’s in his blood.” “He was born to play this game.” For some participants in the CHL Top Prospects Game, these aren’t mere clichés. They’ve clearly got genes that scream of athletic ability, and their hockey-oriented family environment has contributed toward their rosy prospects for […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd If you’re a highly touted CHL-trained prospect, there’s no better endorsement than being chosen number one overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Since the draft was instituted in 1969, 27 CHLers have earned that honour. Of course, not every #1 pick fulfills his potential. For […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2002 By Lucas Aykroyd 1987 was a landmark year for Canadian hockey, as the Edmonton Oilers won their third Stanley Cup and the host nation captured the Canada Cup for the third time. The Western Hockey League mirrored this positive trend. With the emergence of high-scoring talents like Joe […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd Chocolate or vanilla? Classical or heavy metal? Leafs or Habs? Whatever the subject, everybody’s got their favourites. When it comes to choosing favourite hockey players, the motivations aren’t always obvious. Of course, most people love a scoring superstar with a silky touch, or a scrappy […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd At last count, Washington State’s grizzly bear population only numbered between 40 and 50. But the Everett Silvertips plan to bring the bear back big-time in their inaugural WHL season. They’re taking an aggressive approach as an expansion franchise, and if things work out, it’ll […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd Kids. It’s so hard to predict how they’ll turn out. Flamboyant rock star David Lee Roth was the son of an eye doctor. The father of French painter Paul Cezanne originally wanted his son to become a lawyer. Talk about surprises! However, as a parent […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd What’s even more fun than cheering for your favourite CHL team? Often the answer is: “Booing our hated divisional rivals!” Rivalries inevitably blossom when you’re facing another club six times a year in many cases. In those grudge matches, teams often discover what kind of […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2002 By Lucas Aykroyd For a hockey coach, a well-executed power play can be a thing of beauty if you’re using offensive talents like Scottie Upshall of the Kamloops Blazers or Steve Eminger of the Kitchener Rangers. If not, you might need a more down-and-dirty strategy. Regardless of their […]