Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd “Autumn time, and the livin’ is easy…” Markus Naslund couldn’t be faulted for singing a variation on the old standard. Until 1998-99, not much came easy for him. But that breakout season with 36 goals and 30 assists keyed him to similar success last year (27-38-65), […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd You might be surprised to learn that the person Markus Naslund would most like to meet is legendary boxer George Foreman. Maybe you shouldn’t be. The Swedish winger’s Vancouver Canucks are demonstrating a remarkable counterpunch as they hit the final stretch leading to the playoffs, and […]

Originally published on EuroReport in 1999 By Lucas Aykroyd Alexander the Great is back—to conquer the Chicago Blackhawks, anyway. A two-goal performance by Alexander Mogilny of the Vancouver Canucks sparked his team to a wild 5-4 win over the Blackhawks at GM Place on 6 October. Throughout the game, the gifted 195-pound right winger displayed […]

Originally published in Rinkside in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd The North Shore Mountains provide an imposing backdrop for Mattias Ohlund’s adopted home of Vancouver, Canada. They could also serve as a symbol for the strength and consistency that the veteran Swedish defenseman has brought to the Canucks since his NHL rookie campaign of 1997-98. Whether […]

By Lucas Aykroyd When it comes to Vancouver’s burgeoning reputation as a venue for world-class events, “synergy” is more than a corporate buzzword or name for a high-tech hockey stick. Since being awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics, this scenic, multicultural city of 2 million has also earned the right to host the 2005 Grey Cup, […]

Originally published in the Prague Post in 2001 By Lucas Aykroyd If Marian Havel is selected in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, as expected, it’ll be thanks to his finesse skills. The 17-year-old hockey forward skates and stickhandles at high speed with ease. He also boasts a laser slapshot. That’s why […]

Originally published in the Prague Post in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd Physically speaking, Marek Malik is tough to ignore when he walks into a room. But after years of toiling with low-profile teams like the Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes, the 6-5, 220-pound defenseman from Ostrava has often been overlooked by National Hockey League observers. […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Although Roberto Luongo resided in Miami, Florida for five years, it hasn’t taken him long to get comfortable with living in Vancouver, Canada this season. “It’s beautiful here,” the 27-year-old Montreal-born goalie told Eishockey News. “You’ve got a bit of everything with the mountains and […]

Originally published in Attractions Magazine in 2007 By Lucas Aykroyd In 2005-06, Kevin Bieksa was hardly the most noticeable member of the Vancouver Canucks defense corps. Sure, he played 39 NHL games and added six assists, plus a decent defensive presence. But if Ed Jovanovski and Sami Salo hadn’t suffered long-term injuries, Bieksa would probably […]

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000 By Lucas Aykroyd Imagine being 17 years old and playing your first two pro hockey games in a foreign country. Not only that, but you come out on the wrong end of 6-1 and 10-2 decisions. Ouch! Welcome to real life in Canadian women’s hockey, Julia Berg. Fortunately, this […]