This summer at Nucksaid, I decided to make it all about my favourite part of Vancouver Canucks hockey: the FANS. The trend continues and will keep going all summer long!

If you or anyone else you may know would like to be featured and share YOUR True Blue story, there is plenty of room for MORE of you! I will be featuring the fan profiles up until the eve of the Canucks first regular season game. All you have to do is send me an e-mail to nucksaid@gmail.com with the subject line: TRUE BLUE and I will send you all the details you need!

In the last True Blue post, I turned the tables and shared MY #TrueBlue story with you. (click the link below to read my story):

https://nucksaid.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/true-blue-s-e-l-or-simply-me/

Are you ready to meet some more Canuckleheads?

This is Josh and according to him “this is the only picture I could find, it’s pretty bad but I can’t break the tradition of putting a photo in the blog!” (Picture and quote provided by Josh.)

This is his TRUE BLUE story, in his own words:

“I became a fan in a pretty weird way. Growing up in a Detroit Red Wings household, it was ALWAYS, Red Wings or die and that was weird in Ontario but never the less I did. For a while I stopped watching hockey, and in 2009 I started getting back into watching it and and really getting into it. In the playoffs, it was game six of the second round: Chicago vs. Vancouver. It was late for me, so I was told to go to bed, BUT it was a really exciting game with all the goals being scored. I couldn’t sleep, so I kept watching in my room and by game the Canucks lost 7-5 and I felt so down about the final outcome. Ever since that game, I have done my best to keep watching the Canucks whenever I can, watching highlights and looking things up about the team, etc.

My favourite Canuck? Considering that I never really fully started watching the Canucks until a few years ago, one of the most exciting people to watch in a Canucks uniform for me, was Rick Rypien. Holy cow, watching him fight was amazing, it was truly great.

My all-time favourite Canuck moment would have to be Alex Burrows’ OT goal in game 7 of the 2011 playoffs against Chicago. Nothing else can compare to finally slaying the dragon!

My favourite thing about hockey has to be the way it gets you so into the game, how it can you on top of the world one moment and in the very next it can feel like it just took everything away from you and you have nothing. My least favourite thing about hockey can be tied into that as well..that’s the worst thing- watching your team get beaten in the playoffs in such a bad way, it just leaves a sting in you for a long time.

As for pre-game or game day rituals, I have only one. Once I wake up  on a game day, the FIRST thing I do, is put on the jersey. I can’t go without it on a game day, it’s almost like a good luck factor.

I feel pretty optimistic about the upcoming 2014-2015 regular season with the additions of Nick Bonino, Ryan Miller, Lucas Sbisa, and Radim Vrbata. It means the front office of the Canucks have a good amount of faith in THIS team without having to do a complete overhaul of the roster, which is nice because honestly I don’t think this fanbase can handle one (haha)! I’m itching for the start of the season so we can see how team plays under the new coach and how the team plays together, so there is a reason to be excited. -Josh”

First, I still miss seeing Rick Rypien lace ’em up with the Canucks. Every time Rypien stepped on the ice, you knew he was going to play with his whole heart and every fight he took on had the fans on their feet. He left this world far, far too soon.

Second, finally slaying that dragon after facing those pesky (and extremely talented) Chicago Blackhawks for a third straight year will always be one of my absolute favourite moments in Vancouver Canucks history! The rivalry that these two teams developed over those 19 games(3 playoff series) was so wonderfully intense, exhilarating, exasperating, exciting and keep you on the edge of your seat hockey until the final buzzer each and every game.

Next up, let me introduce you to Terry Niles and check out that completely Canucked out cubicle?! (Pictures provided by Terry).

This is her TRUE BLUE story, in her own words:

“I have been a Vancouver Canucks fan since the beginning! I lived in Vancouver at the time and I remember going to Canucks games at the Pacific Coliseum! My all-time favourite Canuck is Tiger Williams. I am partial to scrappy guys, so I am currently a fan of Zack Kassian!

My all-time favourite Canucks moment was the 2011 playoff run and going all the way to game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals vs. the Boston Bruins. It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but it was an impressive run and I remember getting more and more excited as we advanced through EACH round!

I love everything about hockey BUT I guess my favourite part is the camaraderie with the fans, particularly on social media. My least favourite part is the shoot outs! (No need to elaborate as to why!)

My pre-game ritual is to wear my Manny Malhotra T-shirt, has to be that one OR we’ll lose! I have a small Canucks display in my cubicle at work, BUT when we make the Stanley Cup playoffs, I completely deck out my cubicle even more! My co-workers know not to talk smack about the Canucks as I will ALWAYS vigorously defend my boys in blue!

I’m super excited about the 2014-2015 season and getting to know our new team members, and cheer on the boys no matter what! I’m true blue and will bleed blue until the day I die! Go Canucks Go! -Terry”

Scrappy players usually end up being players with the most heart and will always step up for their teammates whenever needed. That 2011 playoff run was absolute magic and to see how fans came together was something that I will never ever forget…I’m looking forward to another magical run in the future! No matter what happens in the new season, we are in for an intriguing 82-game journey! I am looking forward to seeing how the new guys mesh with the current ones and seeing Desjardins make his NHL coaching debut!

Special thank-you to BOTH, Josh and Terry for participating in my True Blue series and sharing their stories with me and with all of you!

As we inch closer to the new season, keep your eyes posted for MORE True Blue stories to come! As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

The summer about Canucks fans continues at Nucksaid as I will continue to introduce you to Canucks fans until the eve of the Vancouver Canucks first 2014-2015 regular season game.

What am I asking the fans for? To simply share their Canucks story and to put the spotlight on YOU, the fans. Whether you have been a fan for your entire life or only a short period, whether you live in British Columbia or halfway across the world, if you’d like to be featured in my True Blue series simply send me an e-mail to nucksaid@gmail.com with the subject line: TRUE BLUE and I will send you the details! There’s always room for more stories!

In True Blue: Part FIVE, you were introduced to Melanie and Dani (click the link below to read their stories!):

https://nucksaid.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/true-blue-part-five-2/

Now, are you ready for Round SIX of #TrueBlue? Here, we go!

Please meet, Brandi Meszaros (& her adorable kids! Pictures provided by Brandi):

This is her TRUE BLUE story, in her own words:

“When/how did I become a Canucks/hockey fan?

I was raised in a household of Leafs fans. Regardless of what you thought, felt, enjoyed…you were a Leafs fan; no ifs, ands or buts. If you didn’t like the Leafs, too bad. You still displayed yourself as a Leafs fan.

So in 1999, while watching the draft, I see these two geeky looking twins called the Sedins, who were drafted to the Canucks. I had already heard so much about them and all the wheeling and dealing it took to get them and thought to myself that these two are going to be really interesting to follow. So, on October 5, 2000, at the age of 14, obviously my parents weren’t about to let me stay up until 1:00 AM watching hockey games, so I began setting my VCR to record the CBC aired games of the team they were drafted to, the Canucks. Thus, began my love affair.

What drew me to the Canucks as my team, living outside of British Columbia?

It began with the hype around the Sedin twins, but the more games I watch, the more I saw the team as up-and-comers. They certainly weren’t the best team in the league back then, but there was so much passion and skill that I could just feel that the boys on the ice were destined to be top competitors in the coming years, and I just couldn’t take my eyes off of them. It was unfortunate that the only games I was able to watch were ones aired on CBC, as I live in Ontario, but I would follow them as best I could. If it meant watching the highlights the morning on TSN or going to the library to check out the stats from the previous nights’ game, I did it. There was no stopping my run from the Leafs into the rink of the Canucks. My love affair just continued to grow.

Who is my all-time favourite Canuck (current/retired/no longer a Canuck) and why? (Do you want my talent and skill answer or my puck bunny answer?)

Well, I can only answer from 2000 and beyond, but again, I would have to go with the Sedins, if I can pick both. The talent and skill, the TWINTUITION that those two have together on the ice makes for some beautiful, envious and dangerous plays. Off the ice, these two are extremely generous, giving not just their time back to the community, but money to help support research and care for sick children. They never fail to amaze me.

My puck bunny answer would be Ryan Kesler…but then who doesn’t love him?

What is my all-time favourite Canucks moment?

How do you choose just one? There are just SO many….BUT if I have to pick, it’s definitely a tie between Alex Burrows’ OT goal in Game 7 that eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks and sent us into round two of the playoffs. The energy from the night was so high, you would have thought we had just won it all. The other goal was Cody Hodgson’s beauty of a PING against Tim Thomas in our first game post-Cup Final loss against the Bruins. Rookie vs. Veteran…and he didn’t even see it. Absolute beauty.

What is my favourite and my least favourite part of hockey?

Hockey makes my adrenaline rush. When the boys rush the crease and desperately attack the puck for a goal with seconds left to play, my heart starts pounding, and I’m at the edge of my seat and when that goal goes through…the excitement gives such a high. It’s exciting, it’s breathtaking. I love the fast pace, the fights, the action. What is there NOT to love?

Well, to answer that last one, I’d say my least favourite part, BESIDES Gary Bettman himself, is the shootouts. I DESPISE the shootouts. If after 65 great minutes of hockey, the game ends in a tie, it ought to stay in a tie. Both teams fought hard to split the points and hockey is a TEAM effort. I don’t believe a team should be awarded an extra point based on one player vs. the goalie being on the ice and scoring a goal.

Do I have any game day/pre-game rituals?

Doritos and coke. A bag of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos, and a tall glass of Coca Cola with three ice cubes. That’s it, that’s all.

How do I feel about the upcoming 2014-2015 season?

With all of the big changes that the team has gone through this off-season, it’s best described by this song:

Everything will be better next year. -Brandi.”

Brandi, I am the same way…it is way too hard for me to choose ONLY one favourite Canucks moment, I love the Sedins TWINTUITION every night and I could not agree more about the dreaded shoot out!

Next up please meet David McPherson, pictured below with Canucks alum, Dave Babych (picture provided by David).

This is his TRUE BLUE story, in his own words:

“I have been a Vancouver Canucks fan for as long as I can remember BUT I guess it goes back to my very first NHL game which was in the 1991-1992 season. The San Jose Sharks very first NHL game and have followed them ever since and with living on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan, have followed the Canucks ever since. I’ve been lucky enough to have been to a few games over the years as well.

My all-time favourite Canuck would have to be Pavel Bure. Growing up as Canucks fan during the Bure era, he was AMAZING. I loved his speed, determination and ability to score goals.

My all-time favourite Vancouver Canucks moments would definitely have to be the 1994 and the 2011 Stanley Cup playoff runs.

My least favourite part of hockey is the season ends and the off-season begins. My favourite of hockey is the entire season when hockey is on.

My pre-game rituals is usually wearing my jersey and Canucks shirt. During their playoff runs OR when the Young Stars tournament is on here, I wear my puck head around town.

I am looking forward to the upcoming 2014-2015 season. I am particularly looking forward to seeing how Ryan Miller does as well as the youngsters. – David.”

David, there is nothing quite like the thrill of seeing your team go on a great playoff run and seeing the fans come together the further the team goes! I think Ryan Miller just might surprise a lot of people this year and hopefully a few young prospects will break into the lineup throughout the season.

Special thank-you to BOTH, Brandi and David for sharing their Canuck stories! I love all of the unique stories that each one of you has shared with me & I am looking forward to sharing them with all of you as we continue the countdown to the new season in October!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

The summer of TRUE BLUE featuring my favourite part of Vancouver Canucks hockey: YOU the fans, continues at Nucksaid! If you read these fan stories and would also like to take part in my series, simply send me an e-mail to nucksaid@gmail.com with the subject line: TRUE BLUE, and I will send you the details!

In TRUE BLUE Part Four I introduced you to Jason and Beck. (click the link below if you missed it!)

https://nucksaid.wordpress.com/2014/07/20/true-blue-part-four/

Are you ready for the next round of True Blue? Here, we go!

First up, please meet Melanie Boucher from Bourges, FRANCE! (pictures provided by Melanie).

This is her TRUE BLUE story, in her own words:

“How did I become a Vancouver Canucks fan? Long story! About three years ago, it was times for me, I met depression that was hell. You have to know that I am French (from Bourges, France), and in my country we don’t know a lot about Hockey because it’s not hugely covered by the media here. I don’t sleep a lot during the nights and I knew that I needed something NEW to feel better, a new passion. I literally fell on a hockey game: Vancouver Canucks vs the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was the second period, and I saw a goal, coast to coast from Alex Edler after maybe two minutes of watching…and I fell in love with the game and the team. To see the joy of the team, this Swede score and the crowd yelling…I don’t know exactly why but I suddenly felt better because of the positive energy. Since then, I follow this team.

Favourite Canuck? It’s not difficult to guess who is my favourite right? Alex Edler. I consider him, my hero. He was the guy who woke me up from my depression. I love Swedish players, BUT Edler especially because of that. And soon I’ll get a new tattoo(an eagle with a hockey stick) to remember the influence he has had on me.

Favourite moment? Well, there are a lot of them! I can say the moment that I already told you above…but I will add the line brawl from this last season. I laughed so hard! Or maybe all the Green Men appearances! But I’m sure a lot of you will say the last round of the playoffs in 2011. But hey, I didn’t know the team…yet!

My favourite part of hockey? The game itself, especially when it ends in a WIN.

Least favourite part of hockey? The trades. You cannot get too attached to players because when they are traded, it can feel like your heart was ripped out! Awful feeling!

Any  pre-game rituals? Mine are ridiculous! haha! I have a Canucks puck, so all day, I keep it in my pocket and kiss it sometimes, wishing the team good luck. When it is against a big team, I wear one of my jerseys during the game. And even more embarrassing, I kiss my fingers and tap my favourite players on my laptop screen because I want them to score a goal.

My feelings about the new season? Well, with all the trades (players, manager, president and coach), they did it well in my opinion and I hope there will be a new cohesiveness with the team! I think they can reach the playoffs this year and I am so glad there is Ryan Miller in the net. No more big pressure on Eddie Lack’s shoulders! Maybe the best thing they did was hiring Trevor Linden!

All I can say is: I believe in Blue and Green, because we are all Canucks! -Melanie.”

Melanie, I agree that with Ryan Miller, it will allow Lack to play pressure free, simply focusing on his on-ice play! I think with Miller, it only helps bolster the net and he could be a great mentor to Lack! I also will admit that I absolutely LOVE the Green Men!

Next up, let me introduce you to, Dani Hagi from SWITZERLAND, pictured below with some VERY recognizable Vancouver Canucks! (Pictures provided by Dani).

This is her TRUE BLUE story, in her own words:

“When/how did you become Vancouver Canucks/hockey fan? If you live outside of British Columbia, what drew you to the Canucks as your team?

This is a complicated story to tell because I don’t really know why I chose the Vancouver Canucks. My heart just pulled me in their direction. I started watching hockey when I was sixteen back in 2004/2005 and as you might know, that was a lockout season. I live in Switzerland, and we had a LOT of great NHL players here during that season. My favourite team here is the hockey club DAVOS, where Joe Thornton, Rick Nash and Niklas Hagman played during the 2004-05 lockout. Being part of that incredible season and seeing them win the Swiss Championship that year was just amazing. After that season, I started to follow the NHL, a little bit closer but not as much as I wanted because I was in the middle of my apprenticeship.

Then I had a few years where I didn’t feel that good and I was a bit depressed. Hockey was the ONLY thing that could get me out of my shell. I kind of lost track of the NHL during that time BUT the summer of 2012 brought change. I started seeing my best friend again and she invited me to a player card event. After that, I started collecting cards and what team did I pick? Yes, my Canucks! That’s when my obsession with them really started. Unfortunately, I had to wait a bit longer to start watching them due to the 2012 NHL lockout but that brought another opportunity for me. I had the chance to meet Cory Schneider and I did that in December 2012. When they started the 2013 shortened season, I started to watch the games on NHL GameCenter! I love watching the games and being on twitter at the same time, it feels like I am not alone in my apartment but like we are all in one place, watching the game and reacting to the same moments together. I love you all, Canucks nation! As you can see/read, this is not a typical story and I still don’t really know why I picked the Canucks, but they now have a big part in my heart.

Who is your all-time favourite Canuck (current/retired/no longer a Canuck) and why?

Cory Schneider because he is such a kind and funny guy and of course really talented. My first Canucks jersey has his name on it.

Kevin Bieksa because he is a Canuck at heart, doing everything for the team. Great team player! I love his passion!

What is your all-time favourite Canucks moment?

This one might sound a bit selfish but my favourite TWO moments were meeting Schneids and Burr/Juice/Garrison.

What is your favourite and your least favourite part of hockey?

I’d say my favourite part is the team spirit. I love how the guys hug each other after a goal or how they stick together and push on another even if it isn’t going well. Hockey is a hard and fast sport, I just love it. My whole life is filled with hockey and I can’t imagine how it would be without it.

My least favourite part…that’s hard. I’d say (especially in the NHL) it is the trading. I hate how those guys are treated like they are just an object without feelings. I know it is business and it is all about the money BUT sometimes, I wish they could think about those guys like they are human beings!

Do you have any game day/pre-game rituals?

I’d say…my pre-game nap. As I live in Switzerland, most of the games are on at 3:00AM and I go to bed really early (like 8:00 PM) in order to wake up for the game and go straight to work afterwards.

How do you feel about the upcoming 2014-2015 season?

I am really excited! I love all the changes that happening. It is a bit scary, BUT I see the changes made as a positive thing, as a new beginning. I am aware that next season might not be what we all hope for, and it might take a while to rebuild this team but I am sure we will get there and someday call the cup ours! Believe in blue, right? That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll always support my boys, no matter what, simple as that. -Dani”

Dani, first I am very jealous that you’ve met BOTH, Juice and Burr! Second, wow that is dedication waking up at 3:00 AM on games days! So far, I’ve only had to do that early wake up call for the Olympics and the World Championships!

Melanie and Dani, THANK-YOU BOTH, for sharing your stories and allowing me to share them on my blog! You are both warriors of strength and deserve the spotlight proving that #hockeytalks and love of the game goes beyond the ice inspiring not only physical strength but more importantly, mental strength.

And guess what? You are BOTH much better writers than you thought and your English is very good despite it not being your first language! I agree with you both, that trades of favourite players is one of my very least favourite parts of the game! Ultimately, I love that you BOTH support the team through thick and thin, no matter what, perfectly defining TRUE BLUE.

Thank-you again to both Melanie and Dani for participating in my True Blue series! Stay tuned for more True Blue stories on the way as we count down to the start of the season on October 8th, 2014!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

This summer at Nucksaid, I decided to do something a little different on the blog, in counting down to the Vancouver Canucks 2014-2015 regular season! THIS summer I will introduce you, to my favourite part of the Vancouver Canucks: THE FANS!

What am I asking YOU, the fans for? Simply to share your Canucks story and what makes YOU a Canucks fan through and through. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, simply send me an e-mail to nucksaid@gmail.com with the subject line: TRUE BLUE and I will send you the details. I will be featuring True Blue profiles all way up until to the first game of the 2014-2015 regular season, so there is plenty of room for as many fans as would like to participate!

In TRUE BLUE: Part ONE, you were introduced to Anthony and Gary (click to link below to check it out, if you missed it):

https://nucksaid.wordpress.com/2014/07/12/true-blue-part-one/

Are you ready to meet some more amazing Canucks fans?

Meet Canucks fan, Brieann Knorr…how many Canucks can you spy in the background? (Picture provided by Brieann).

This is her TRUE BLUE story, in her own words:

“I became a Vancouver Canucks fan in 2003, after my Dad and I had been watching hockey for years. I got my first Canucks jersey for my eighth birthday and have been a fan ever since.

I have 2 all-time favorite Canucks. The first would have to be Markus Naslund as he was my favorite player growing up. I was still a little young when he was playing but I remember he was such an awesome player and a great person. I got the chance to meet him and it was incredible. I almost cried when he retired because he deserved everything, he is such a humble guy. My second favorite has to be Henrik Sedin!! He is the most humble player the Canucks have ever had. I like his humbleness and how dedicated he is to the team, players and the fans. He is one of my role models.

My favorite all time Canucks moment has to be the 2011 Cup Run. I had never been on a Cup run and it was the best and worst moments as a Canucks fan! I have never seen a city more united around a team. I have never been more passionate for the team and I can only imagine what winning the Cup will be like.

I love that hockey unites people! That we all cheer for the same team and can talk about it together BUT I don’t like the hate that players get from the fans.

I consider myself to be a semi superstitious fan…I tend to think I can control what happens on the ice even though I know its impossible. I don’t like watching games because I think I could make them lose.

I feel hopefully optimistic about the 2014-2015 season! I feel like the changes made were needed to make this team a championship team. I feel like the team that is being brought in will be exciting a new and something we have never seen before!! I am very excited about what the future holds. -Brieann”

Markus Naslund was the epitome of a class act both on and off the ice, and seeing his jersey go up to the rafters joining Smyl and Linden was amazing to witness. The 2011 playoff run was an absolutely unreal time to be a Vancouver Canucks fan! Everywhere you turned, there were people representing the Canucks, blue and green took over local businesses and you could sense something special was happening. I’m excited for the next great playoff run that will take the province and Canucks fans around the world by storm!

Next up, I’d like to introduce you to Tony Maguire displaying a beautifully made button picture that his daughter, Katie made for his birthday! (Picture provided by Tony).

This is his TRUE BLUE, story in his own words:

“My Canuck story starts the same year as the Canucks. Being a fan of the Ballet on Ice I’m not sure what drew me to the Canucks. The early years were difficult but through all the abuse of other hockey folks and the roller coaster rides that were the first few seasons, I still remained loyal and true. I guess what really sealed the deal for life for me was 1982 and our first cup run. I had been to many games but never had the excitement of watching the Canucks go so far and then into the finals. I got given a ticket and was sitting 3 rows behind the Canuck bench. The sights the sounds the smells of being a part of it will always be with me. From that point on it became my way of life as my wife and kids will attest to!

I am one of those obsessed fans who has extensive Canuck wear and memorabilia that when we moved recently, packed 4 large plastic totes. All my kids became Canuck fans and now the grand kids as well. A good memory is going with 2 daughters to a Vancouver game in 2004 to see them play our rivals, the Calgary Flames. The day before we were in the Cactus Club getting food when Trevor Letowski, Matt Cooke and Bryan Allen came in. We got to hang out with them, got jerseys signed and had the best lunch ever. Outside the arena we waited for the Team bus from Calgary to arrive. When former (still my favorite) Canuck, Matin Gelinas got off we cheered and he came over and around the barrier to chat with us and we got a great picture.

The Canucks have been part of our family history during the 2011 playoffs, we got all six kids and the grand kids together for the games. My daughter Carolyn, even came down from Fort St John to be a part of it. I guess pizza and coca-cola are part of my game day ritual. I guess my least favorite part of hockey is the Media, self appointed experts, has beens and could-of-beens; telling me what I should think about the game and players. As for the upcoming season, who can’t be excited and know in their hearts that this is THE YEAR! The Management and coaching staff with the veterans and the new Canucks are going to bust it up! -Tony”

Going to a Stanley Cup Final game and sitting so close to the team bench would be an absolutely amazing experience! The sights and sounds of a playoff game are so much more intense than a regular season game, the cheers and silence from the stands echo the pattern of the game on the ice. If you have never been to a playoff game, I suggest the next playoff run, you try to go…because there is something so special about being there live for a playoff victory and cheering with 18,000 + fans together. .

Special thank-you to BOTH, Brieann and Tony for sharing their TRUE BLUE stories! I hope you enjoyed reading them and are looking forward to the fan stories still to come this summer!

As always, until next time, nuck said. 

Sarah E.L. 

Every summer (aka the NHL off-season) is full of news that pertains to the ever changing rosters of the 30 teams and all of the chaos that surrounds preparing for the season to begin when the leaves change and October finally arrives. I will still be posting any news items that are MUST now and help keep you all in the loop on the Vancouver Canucks front but I am also going to do something new.

THIS summer, I decided to do something a little different on the blog, in counting down to the Vancouver Canucks 2014-2015 regular season! THIS summer I will introduce you, to my favourite part of the Vancouver Canucks: THE FANS!

What am I asking YOU, the fans for? Simply to share your Canucks story and what makes YOU a Canucks fan through and through. The rules are simple, to answer the following questions however you choose whether it be to simply answer the questions individually in whatever order you choose or by incorporating your answers into YOUR very own Canuck story. The idea is to give YOU, the spot light. (Remember there is no right OR wrong way to tell your story!)

Here are the questions(to help inspire those stories!):

Each TRUE BLUE post will introduce us, to TWO Canucks fans from around the globe. Would you like to meet the first round of fans? Do any of the following tales sound like you? Would you like to be featured in an upcoming TRUE BLUE profile? Simply send me an e-mail to nucksaid@gmail.com with the subject line: TRUE BLUE.

Let’s meet some of YOU, shall we?

Meet Anthony Alves, pictured below catching a puck AT a Canucks game! (picture provided by Anthony)

Here is Anthony’s TRUE BLUE Canucks story in his own words:

“Well I first started noticing hockey in 2001 when I was in grade eight. I’d go to my best friend’s house after school and his parents would be watching Canucks games. I had no knowledge or anything at the time so I’d just ask who’s winning etc etc. It wasn’t until 2006 when I really started to like and watch the Canucks. My girlfriend at the time, her parents mainly her dad, were huge Canuck fans. Every time I went over, he would be watching a game so I got more curious about it, asking him questions (which I know probably annoyed the hell out of him) but it got me more and more into the Canucks, and made me the fan I am today!

My favourite Canuck, without a doubt was Rick Rypien. Being a shorter guy like myself, I looked up to him, as he did not take any crap from anyone, no matter how much bigger they were than him. Rypien was not the best player, or the most popular, but to me, he inspired me to never give up! When I heard he had passed away my heart sank, but to this day he’s still my inspiration and all time favourite Canuck!

My all time favourite Canuck moment would have to be when we broke past the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 playoffs in overtime! Alex Burrows scoring the intense overtime goal to beat the Blackhawks in the first round! I have never screamed that loud in my life.

My favourite part about hockey is that it happens from September to June, and my least favourite part is that it does not happen from July to September.

As for game day or pre-game rituals? Well sometimes if I’m really excited about a certain game, I will play NHL on my PS3 for a few hours just to get the adrenaline pumping!

I feel great about the upcoming season! I love the changes that have happened so far, (particularly getting rid of Mike Gillis was the best by far). I liked Torts but I understand he was not fitting in and I have nothing but positive feelings about how we will do in 2014-15! -Anthony Alves”

I can confirm that you are NOT alone in screaming LOUD when Burrows scored that goal that sent the Canucks past the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time in three years! IT felt like you could hear the ENTIRE city scream with joy when that goal crossed the line and everyone exhaled with a FINALLY! Definitely, that was a moment that will not be forgotten.

Next, I’d like to introduce to you to Gary Powell [pictured below], who represents the Vancouver Canucks all the way from Melbourne, Australia! (picture provided by Gary.)

Here is Gary’s TRUE BLUE story about being a Canucks fan in OZ, in his own words:

“Greetings from sunny Melbourne, Australia.  Ice Hockey is alive and well downunder.  There are many expat Canadians (most from BC) enjoying the surf & cold beer.  We tune into Canuck games via Apple TV, or by listening on TEAM 1040.  Most games are on between 11am & 4pm so it is tricky trying to work & keep an eye on the games.  During the Boston series a few years ago we had over 300 Canuck fans watching the games live from the Imperial Hotel in downtown.  Strange seeing so many Canucks sweaters in Melbourne.  The Imperial Hotel is also the venue for weekly HOCKEY NIGHT IN MELBOURNE, where NHL fans in Melbourne gather to watch the game of the week.

Canucks sweaters are also seen at the Melbourne ICE HOUSE, a twin rink facility that is home to the MELBOURE ICE, and the MELBOURNE MUSTANGS.  Both teams play in front of approx. 1200 – 1500 fans in the 8 TEAM Australian Ice Hockey League.  The season goes from April to September which means we get 12 months of Ice Hockey.  Each team is allowed 6 Imports, mainly from Canada & Sweden.  At the recent NHL Draft the first Aussie to be selected was NATHAN WALKER in the 3rd Round to the Washington Capitals.

I grew up in Powell River, BC playing minor hockey.  My heroes were Gordie Howe & Bobby Orr.  Powell River has had a rich Hockey History.  NHL players include Gary Lupul (dec) and Brad Bombardir.  Canuck fans in the 80’s will remember calling out LUUP LUUP when No. 7 had the puck.  The most exciting Canuck player I have seen is Pavel Bure.  He was a magical skater and a pure goal scorer.  He was able to score hat tricks in playoff games including the winner in OT.  I hope our talent scouts are able to find the next Pavel Bure soon.  The greatest game ever played at the Pacific Coliseum included Pavel, and was played on the 11th June, 1994.  This was Game 6 vs NEW YORK Rangers and we won 6 -3.  After the game there were 60,000 Canuck fans celebrating downtown.

The game that blew the roof off the Rogers Arena was 19th April, 2004.  GAME 7 vs Calgary.  Matt Cooke sent the game into overtime scoring a rebound goal off a Markus Naslund shot with 5.7 seconds left in regulation.  I will never forget the ROAR from 18,000 very happy fans.

For the 2014/15 season I predict another run in the playoffs.  We all love to win, and hate losing games.  Let’s hope with Radim Vrbata we can win more shootout games. I hope we can take the opportunity while we have the twins, Miller in goal, and loads of young talent coming on, to raise the Stanley Cup in Vancouver. -Gary Powell.”

Wow…sounds like quite a sight to have Canucks fans united all the way in OZ! Hockey 12 months of the year sounds like absolute bliss! I’ve only started to catch glimpses of Melbourne Mustangs this last year and I am so excited for Nathan Walker to have been drafted into the NHL! He’s going to have a career that will be fun to see develop!

Special thank-you, to BOTH Anthony and Gary for participating in the TRUE BLUE series and sharing their Canuck stories!

I have really enjoyed seeing the game I love, through the eyes of others who love the game as much as I do! My favourite part of being a Vancouver Canucks fan is sharing the experience with other fans and the camaraderie that develops through watching a great game, series or playoff run. I hope all of you have enjoyed the first edition of TRUE BLUE 2014 and that you are looking forward to rest of the Canucks stories(mine included!) that will be coming your way as we count down until the regular season begins!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.