The City of Prince George is buzzing as Vancouver Canucks training camp starts to roll.
The team’s first morning in PG started with management appearing at the Chamber of Commerce’s town hall breakfast.
After plenty of handshakes, autographs, and picures, President Trevor Linden and GM Jim Benning took to the mic to talk about the upcoming season and take some question from the crowd.
Linden was quick to praise the City and it’s residents, standing by the choice to hold camp in the north.
“I wanted not only to expose Prince George and the surrounding area to the Vancouver Canucks, but I also wanted our players to experience it because the passion this market has for hockey and the Canucks is going to pay dividends.”
It’s certainly a departure from last year’s camp, which took place in Whistler.
“A lot of the older guys, they understand it,” said Linden, “But we’ve got a lot of new players, a lot of young players who don’t really understand that the Vancouver Canucks are British Columbia’s team. Not just Vancouver.”
The zeal of local fans may also be an eye-opener for some of the younger ‘Nucks hopefuls.
“To expose them to that, and then they see it… I mean, when I told them that the building will be sold out for practice, there were a lot of wide eyes. NHL-ers don’t generally get nervous for practice, but they may be today.”
Of course, you can’t talk Canucks in Northern BC without mentioning Dan Hamhuis, and Benning says his role will be more important than ever heading into this season.
“He’s an experienced guy, he plays a steady, two-way game, we’re gonna have some younger players back there, and he’s going to be the mentor for those players. I remember 12 years ago, 15 years ago, coming in to Prince George and watching Dan play junior hockey, and he was a good young player… Ended up getting drafted first round.”
The breakfast was followed by a special ceremony at City hall.
Aside from practices, Luca Sbisa, Brandon Sutter, Fin, and Kirk McLean will visit Quinson Elementary School today at 1:15.
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