Katie Maximick

I'm not a politico, not by any means.

I'm 28 years old and well educated, so I bet you some people would think I should be more in tune with Canadian politics than I am.

Sorry guys, that’s just not the case.

As much as I would love to know the inner workings of Canada’s current federal government, its parties, its candidates, its MPs and squabbles, I just can’t get into it.

And that’s the thing. I’m not interested, because there’s nothing, or no one, to be interested in these days.

People have been complaining for years about low voter turnout in Canada, especially among the younger population; but has anyone ever stopped blaming the “lazy teenagers” and considered why young Canadians don’t express their democratic right and vote?

Reasons such as how boring, stale and god-awful Canadian politics has been for over the past 10 years?

I mean, I’m just throwing it out there. Why would any particular 19 year old be attracted to politics right now? How eye catching are Stephen Harper’s robotic movements and monotonous voice? Or the fact that a group of grandpas playing a slow game of magical chairs has been running the Liberal party?

Wouldn’t that so-called 19 year old rather play video games or watch HBO’s Game of Thrones than check out the latest drone speaking in the House of Commons?

Because if you asked me, the Canadian government can’t complain about a lack of interest from young people if they’re not doing anything to solve the problem. And it is a problem.

You want to get more young voters to come out in the next election? Why don’t you try engaging them with something or someone, I don’t know, interesting?

As a person who ran seminars in university, I can tell you the key thing I took away from teaching was that students can learn anything, and will learn and remember, if you can make the subject interesting.

Make it interesting, and those kids will gobble it up like a Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.

If you don’t… well, you’ll get a lot of glazed-over eyes and students dicking around on their iPhones.

And you know what makes it interesting? People like Justin Trudeau. His “outburst” in the HOC when he called Environment Minister Kent “a piece of shit” might have been deemed worthy of hellfire to Conservatives, but in terms of garnering youthful attention to Canadian politics, Trudeau hit that nail right on the head.

Just like his father did.

Dislike Pierre Trudeau all you like, but his charismatic personality was magnetic. No one can argue that when Trudeau Sr. was in politics, all of Canada was interested in every move he made; all of Canada was interested in politics.

And that unanimous amount of interest died with him.

Not to say Justin Trudeau is like his father (it’s too soon to tell), but if he is, one thing he has going for him could be the ability to revive a national interest in politics.

By no means should politicians start swearing at each other in public to catch the eye of young voters; but could they at least be interesting or show Canadians an authentic personality?

Justin Trudeau did something that young Canadians (who didn’t know his father) have yet to see in modern politics; the truth, unhindered by PC expressions or political jargon. It was a moment of raw feeling; a moment that made a Canadian politician human.

With the passing of Jack Layton, what was left of passion in today’s federal politics went with him. What do we have left? Musical chairs Liberal leaders and the dead, dead eyes of Stephen Harper.

How sexy is that?

What I want to see, and I imagine what a lot of young Canadians want to see, are politicians who have the balls (or ovaries) to stand up for the rights of Canadians and call a spade a spade without all that legal, over-PC mumbo jumbo.

We want charisma, passion, attitude! We want someone with life in them, someone who will pique our interest and make us believe in the political system again.

It really doesn’t seem to be too much to ask for.

Justin Trudeau gave us a taste of it, and whether or not you like his party, it has to be admitted by all Canadians that this country’s government could use a few energy drinks; or a dip in the fountain of youth.

It’s archaic, boring, dusty and stale.

Give us someone to root for; give us someone who makes us excited and who voices their agenda in a language we can understand, and can believe.

Give us a human.

Intentional or not, Trudeau’s vibrant language and passionate response to Kent might’ve shown some young people that politics can be something to get excited about; politics can make someone so impassioned that they’ll stand up for their beliefs in a way that means risking their reputation in the process.

Trudeau behaved like a human, something the Robotic Harper can’t seem to do, no matter how awkward he makes everyone feel when he tries to be.

Trudeau’s “slip” in the House of Commons was like someone opened a window in a stale, musty attic.

Rather than close that window, someone needs to prop it open with a broom handle and clear the air, and give the place a good dusting while they’re at it.

Ask any teacher: you’re never going to keep the attention of young people without making them interested in the subject you’re lecturing on.

Work on that, Canada, and I guarantee a higher young voter turnout next election.

  

leg·end (n).

1. An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
2. A romanticized or popularized myth of modern times.
3. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.

As you can read for yourself, there are a few definitions for the term “legend.” It can be an old story, a myth or an incredible person who earns the status of being, well, “legendary.”

Hell, The Province even has a “legendary” 24/7 sports chat (shameless plug alert!)

So far this fall, which Canucks are on pace to have a legendary season?

Legend or Laughing Stock?

On the Canucks, Aaron Rome is as hot as Steve Jobs’ new biography at Chapters. Meanwhile, most non-Vancouverites are wondering, “Who’s Aaron Rome?”

People can’t seem to get enough of this guy. Is it because he used to be the butt of everyone’s jokes, at times even a scapegoat, and then he surprised the hell out of everyone by coming out of the gates like a man possessed?

Probably. I mean, there’s no bigger crowd pleaser than an underdog knocking people’s socks off. From the media buzz surrounding him, you’d think the guy has 22 points like Daniel has racked up already. In reality, Rome’s has 5.

But more importantly, he’s has 5 in only 4 games.  Not to mention one of his goals was waived off (unfairly) so he would actually be at 6 points right now.

To show just how surprising Rome’s start is to Canucks fans, let’s look at his stats last year. It took him FIFTY SIX GAMES to get the same amount of points. 56.

I know, right? And you wonder why he was the goat…

So now Rome has 5 in 4. Couldn’t this mean he’s statistically on track for a 60+ point season? Watch out, Christian Ehrhoff! Apparently you weren’t the only d-man in Vancouver who could rack up points.

(Now this is starting to sound more like the mythical legend than legendary, but hey, anything could happen).

Will Rome continue scoring or will his offensive performance fizzle out much like Raffi Torres’ streak last year? I guess we just have to watch, but at least we’ll be highly amused while we do.

The Making of a Legend.

Another Canuck who has been impressive this fall is one who, despite high expectations, gave us a couple disappointing seasons.

Cody Hodgson.

After battling injuries and negative criticism for a couple years, it would appear that Hodgson is finally growing into the role of the incredible rookie we always knew he could be.

The first-round draft pick has 9 points so far (4 goals and 5 assists) and is fourth in rookie scoring in the NHL, but it’s not the amount of points he has that makes Hodgson a valuable, and now permanent, member of the Canucks. It’s his flexibility. Hodgson has no problem adjusting to whatever line he’s put on, and he’s one of a few players who can comfortably play a winger when he’s a natural centre. And no matter where he’s put he doesn’t complain, and it doesn’t affect his performance either.

“I love playing the game and when I couldn't, it wasn't a very good feeling,” Hodgson told the media Sunday night. “Right now, it doesn't matter how much I'm playing or whom I'm playing with or where I'm playing, I'm just concentrating on trying to learn from the older guys in this room and trying to get better.”

See? What a good Canadian kid! Don Cherry must love him.

Look how far Hodgson has come with the Canucks organization. He’s matured, he’s improved as a player and he’s become a go-to guy in the offensive zone who skates fast, has great passing skills and doesn’t quit the entire time he’s on the ice. He’s exactly what the Canucks need if they’re to chase the Cup again.

So, despite what the humble Hodgson says, maybe it’s some of the older guys who should be learning a little from the rookie.

The Legend from Lapland

And speaking of “older guys,” we have Sami Salo. One of my favourites who, as I write this, is preparing to do a signing at the Team Store on Robson.

No matter how often people can joke about Salo and his constant injuries, the thing is when he’s not injured, Salo’s one of the most reliable defencemen on the ice (also, don’t you think he kind of makes up for his injuries by taking out other players with that beast of a slap shot? Just saying).

So far this fall, Salo’s fourth in scoring on the roster, with 10 points in 15 games and one of the best plus-minus ratings on the team. He also has some of the fewest penalty minutes racked up.

Last season he only had 7 points in 27 games.

And that slapshot? I’m sorry, but I don’t think many fans get as excited for any player about to shoot as they do when Salo gets that puck on the blueline. You know his hard shot, and you know there aren’t many out there with one harder, despite Salo’s age.

And that’s really what this “legendary” segment is about.

Salo’s 37, and it’s quite possible that this will be his last year with the Canucks. Imagine the hole he’ll be leaving on both the ice and in the heart of the team? Salo’s an invaluable veteran, one who quietly gives his advice to those who ask for it in the locker room, while leading by example when he’s on the ice. He’s always been strong in community involvement and charity work, which is why his significance in this organization cannot simply be judged by his performance.

Soon Salo will become the kind of legend that we fans will look back on fondly, alongside the likes of his colleagues Naslund and Linden. We’ll watch future d-men shoot from the blue line and say, “Man, remember Salo’s slapshot? He was the best.” Yes, I know that Salo doesn’t have the points Naslund did, or the leadership Trevor had, but Salo is unique and has his own strengths that made the Canucks the successful team they are today.

Aside from his injuries, I don’t think anyone could have anything negative to say about Sami Salo, and that in itself tells you what kind of legacy Salo will be leaving behind when he goes.

And he will be greatly missed when he does.

 

How fitting is it for the Canucks to wrap up their 11-day roadtrip on 11-11-11?

On a solemn day like Remembrance Day, I thought I would brighten things up with a lighter post to sum up the Canucks' roadtrip, which finishes tonight in Anaheim.

I present to you a collection of fun postcards from each city the Canucks visited in the past two weeks. Addresses have been blanked out to protect the privacy of those receiving these totally real and authentic pieces of mail.

The Canucks kicked off against their rivals in Calgary with a decisive 5-1 victory, scoring three goals in the first period and quickly dousing what excitement the Sea of Red had showed up with.

Unfortunately, the joy was sucked right out of that win when the Canucks stopped in Minnesota. Because of Luongo's dismal record of 3-9-2 at the Xcel Energy Center, Vigneault decided to start Cory Schneider. Much to the entire team's (and fan base's) dismay, the Canucks soon found out that it wasn't only Luongo who played poorly in Minnesota.

Schneider faced an onslaught of 45 shots and the team played one of their worst games in recent history, losing 5-1.

Still hurting from their beating in Minnesota, the Canucks jetted off to St. Louis to play the following night. Although their play was much improved against the Blues, the Canucks didn't have what it took to hold onto a lead.

TJ Oshie scored twice, and David Backes, an old friend of Ryan Kesler's, scored the third.

With two back-to-back losses nipping at their heels, the Canucks braved enemy territory to play their biggest rival, the Chicago Blackhawks. Canucks fans watched from home with bated breath, praying that their team wouldn't embarrass them in front of excited, blood thirsty Blackhawks fans.

Thankfully to the surprise of everyone, the Canucks came out of the gate like a team possessed, wholloping the Hawks 6-2 in their own arena. The Madhouse was quickly the Sadhouse, as the Canucks' powerplay finally got its groove back.

Toews, who often looks pensive and petulant anyway, looked even more so that night.

"Our power play, as usual of late, wasn't very good, the penalty kill too," Toews said. "But it went beyond that. We didn't play a very good game all around."

Some worried it would be hard for the Canucks to carry over the momentum from the win into Los Angeles. The Canucks had three full days off between games, but the rest didn't build up rust.

Salo, who had been off with a groin injury, made a triumphant return to the ice and opened scoring for Vancouver at the beginning of the first, followed by Ebbett and Rome (who actually had two goals, but a questionable call ruled one out).

All three goals for the Canucks were scored in the first, and slowly the Kings found momentum closing the Canucks' lead to one, but Luongo stood tall stopping 28 shots and the Canucks walked away with a 3-2 win.

Even Don Cherry was impressed.

The Canucks wrap up their roadtrip tonight in Anaheim. No one knows which Canucks team will show up tonight, the good, the bad or the ugly, but one thing's for sure: George Parros will be schooling the Canucks in the Movember campaign.

 

Last week on the phone my dad brought up online dating after he saw a feature on the news. He's never done it, and he was wondering how on earth he'd ever describe himself using their profile format.

With this in mind, I hung out with my hockey-loving friends this weekend and the subject of the Canucks and online dating came up (don't ask me, because I still don't know why).

We ended up joking around about what Roberto Luongo's and Sami Salo's profiles for e-harmony or match.com would look like if they were single, including their "About Me" descriptions or ideas of a perfect date.

Here's the result of that conversation:

And of course I had to throw in these two:

With quite a few controversies this week, the NHL is quickly turning into its own version of a bad soap opera. I mean, sure we’re used to them every once in a while, but these controversies are coming at us so fast that we can’t decide which one to furiously argue over while hiding behind computer screens and anonymous login names.

So where do we start with all the drama? Let’s do this in chronological order.

1) Controversy #1: Luongo vs. Schneider. This one is clearly ongoing and neverending. Despite stopping 28 of 29 shots against Calgary last night, Luongo allowed one goal with 30 seconds to go in the game, which had some fans saying, “Schneider would’ve got the shut out!” It’s like Luongo haters were just sitting there, waiting for the guy to screw up so they could carry their Crusade banners around with their “I told you so” battle cries.

For most of us, it’s getting annoying and embarrassing, and really, it’s only a huge controversy here because it’s Vancouver. I bet most of the fans in this city don’t remember how in the 2009/2010 season, Tim Thomas was benched in favour of backup goalie Tuukka Rask going into the playoffs. Vezina-winning Thomas wasn’t playing at his best, so the Bruins were leaning on Rask down the stretch. That March in a game against Buffalo, Thomas was pulled for allowing 3 goals in 14 shots, and threw a tantrum worse than Luongo’s, shattering his goalie stick down the hallway to the locker room.

Tell me, did a goalie controversy continue in Boston?

More importantly, how did Thomas play the following season?

Goalies are some of the most unpredictable performers in hockey. Had Schneider been in net against Calgary last night, who knows, he might’ve actually let a couple in. Or he could've shut the door. That's the thing; no one can guarantee a goalie’s performance. 

So in the meantime, Canucks fans, why don’t you support whoever happens to be on the ice (like the whole team) and enjoy the game? It is November, after all, and we all know what that means.

 

2) Controversy #2: The Raffi Torres Costume Scandal. I said I wasn’t going to touch this with a 10-foot pole, aaaaaaand I’m still not going to, so I'll just leave it open.

Was it racist, or just a bit of Halloween fun?

 

3) Controversy # 3: Sean Avery’s return to the Rangers. I was surprised to see him released from the Rangers during the preaseason, and I'm even more surprised to see him called back now. Obviously Tortorella saw some mistake sending the agitator packing to the AHL since he’s coached more than a couple frustrating games so far this season.

But what I can’t help wonder is what the relationship between Torts and Avery will be from now on? Knowing both men are often volatile, I’d predict strained, and I’m not sure how either of them are going to keep their mouths shut about it in the long run.

"This is the same situation as any other player being brought up and we want to conduct it that way," Tortorella said this morning. "That's what is fair to Sean -- let's just conduct our business."

The thing is, Avery isn't just "any other player."

Sure, Avery was on his best behaviour in a press conference this morning, saying (over and over) how much he loves playing for the Rangers, but when all the smoke and mirrors are gone and Avery inevitably returns to his normal self, something’s got to give. It has to.

Torts and Avery are both ticking time bombs, often lacking the discipline to prevent their own explosions to the media. That might mean things are going to get good. Oh, the anticipation!

But you’ll have to wait a little longer for Avery’s “debut” since he will not be playing Thursday night.

 

4) Controversy #4: Ovechkin’s “fat” mouth. Apparently last night, when Caps coach Boudreau decided to bench a lacklustre Ovechkin late in the game, Ovechkin’s displeasure was caught on tape.

It’s being speculated that Ovie called Boudreau a “fat f*ck.”  See for yourself:

 

Boudreau was in the right to bench Ovechkin. Ovie was practically invisible for most of that game, and Boudreau was trying to send a message that those who deserve to play will play. Clearly, the Russian Superstar had an issue with that decision which led to his disrespectful behaviour.

Did Ovechkin have a momentary lapse of judgment and forget that cameras are constantly on the bench? Hello!

Personally I’m proud of Boudreau for sticking to his values and standing up to a star player we all know can be a little, let’s say, pouty.

Sidenote: Ovechkin did not address the media following last night’s controversy.

In other news, imagine Keith Ballard said something like that to Alain Vigneault? Yikes. #benchedforlife

That just about wraps it up for this week's episode of "NHL Drama." What will happen next week?

Stay tuned.

I woke up this morning, stretching in my bed and thought to myself, “I wonder how full the Canucks bandwagon is this morning?”

(Actually, that’s a lie. As usual, the first thing on my mind on any given morning is, “Coffee.”)

So after my coffee(s), I couldn’t help but gloat a little, as I’m sure most fans who never left the bandwagon this early on were also doing. We knew it was too soon to give up on this team; after all, it’s October. And that’s all we need to say.

But on their eleventh game of the season, the last of the dreaded month, the Canucks finally gave their doubtful, fearful fans something to cheer about and, at least until Tuesday, the pitchforks were put away in Vancouver.

It was as if the Canucks were fed up with it all; fed up with their fans' lack of faith and with their own lack of scoring, defending and “Great save, Luongos!”

And last night they got it all back.

On Friday, Henrik Sedin had said that playing Washington would either bring out their best, or humiliate them. Yes, there were moments (like that awkward penalty shot on Luongo), but the Canucks were far from embarrassed about their performance by the end of the night.

They left the ice with a 7-4 victory to the cheers, not jeers, of a packed Rogers Arena.

It was a night of redemption when it comes down to it.

Alex Edler dragged down Mike Knuble five minutes into the second period, which led to a penalty shot (admit it, we were all nervous) and a goal (which explains our nervousness) as the puck hit Luongo’s glove and bobbled over into the net. Edler would make up for it less than three minutes later, scoring his second goal of the game and giving the Canucks a 4-3 lead.

Edler walked away with three points last night.

Although Luongo didn't have a fantastic night, you could maybe say that he redeemed himself a little as well. Sure, he allowed four, but when you review most of those goals, it’s hard to lynch him for them all, like the first goal. It literally jumped over everyone’s heads in the crease, out of sight, and dribbled in off Luongo’s back into the net.

But it was that highlight-reel glovesave on Ovechkin that everyone's still talking about today. You know the one. That was a classic Roberto Luongo right there, even winning excited praise from Lu’s biggest critics (as I witnessed on my Twitter feed). And what a difference it made in our goalie; it gave him the confidence he needed to stay solid for the rest of the game and shut the door.

 

Will his confidence carry over? Too soon to say, we all know that. But it gave most Canucks fans hope that November will bring out the best in Luongo, as it has in the past.

It was clear by the third that the Caps lost their cool and the Canucks got theirs back. Ovechkin began to throw a bit of a tantrum and took it out on Kevin Bieksa, which sent him to the box and earned deafening “Ovie” taunts from the jubilant crowd (I think partly because the crowd didn’t know how exactly to chant the name Neuvirth). Lapierre managed to get his second goal halfway through the third, giving the Canucks their seventh and sealing the deal.

For me, the biggest form of redemption last night was the entire team’s.

They knew, as a unit, they had been performing poorly. They had a team meeting Saturday morning to discuss their issues and formulate a game plan, knowing their hotheaded fans would be watching closely. The Canucks were suffering from their Stanley Cup Hangover, one that clearly lasts longer than the infamous Roxy Effect. Just look at Boston.

So to beat a red-hot team like the Caps, who walked into that game with a wicked powerplay and only one loss this season, was a big statement to make.

And they made it loud.

Is the Hangover gone? I’m not sure yet, but what I do know is Toronto and Edmonton are first in their divisions, so really, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to believe that October has been just a bad dream after all.

 

 

 

 

 

For many Canucks fans, the 2011/2012 season has kicked off like a bad nightmare. The Canucks are sitting fourth in the Northwest Division at 4-5-1, they’ve been shut out three times already and Roberto Luongo walks the streets of Vancouver, shunned like a leper.

But think of the big picture -- Vancouver's record this early into the season isn’t as scary as this: 

Seriously Chara, did you think being a 6’9” bunny for Halloween was a GOOD idea? Those poor children are never going to look at Easter the same. Way to go, Big Guy.

Anyway, back to the Canucks and this spoooooky start to the season.

Bieksa’s minus-9 rating is not only the worst on the team; it’s the worst in the NHL among defensemen.

"It's embarrassing,” he said yesterday, “Especially for someone who takes pride on playing other teams’ top lines and shutting them down."

Could it be that Bieksa’s critics are right? That he only performs well in the final year of his contract, then once re-signed, returns to mediocrity?

I think even his worst critics are hoping this isn’t the case. Talk about a nightmare.

And despite what appeared to be a stronger start this year, Ballard isn’t far behind at minus-7, and even Uncle Manny is minus-6! In the past three weeks the Canucks have been shut out three times, either due to a lack of finish by Vancouver’s forwards or, in Lundqvist’s case, a goalie completely shutting the door.

To sum things up, they can’t score, they can’t seem to defend against scoring and their goalies are either hung out to dry or manage to hang themselves.

The entire team knows it has to step up, and soon, before Canucks fans take to the streets with pitchforks and torches to hunt them all down like Frankenstein's monster.With this city, even this Halloween metaphor isn’t that far from the truth.

"It's good the Capitals are coming to town,” said Henrik Sedin about tonight’s game. “It'll bring everyone up to the level we need to be at. If not, it'll be embarrassing.”

Right now the Canucks are looking like the main character in a horror movie, the one who runs up the stairs in the house, while everyone watching is yelling, “No, you idiot!”

But the thing is, despite the audience’s fear for the main character early on in the movie, the hero always triumphs in the end.

You see what I’m getting at, Canucks fans?

What needs to happen here is someone on the team (or everyone, whichever) needs to revive their inner 1996-era Neve Campbell, turn off the phone, turn on their attackers (critics) and shoot the bad guy.

Like anyone watching a horror flick run its course, Canucks fans just have to clutch their blankets, hold on tight to loved ones and hope that their favourite character comes out alive in the end.

At least the already-infamous Kesler Pumpkin is lightening the mood around here. Talk about a scandalous squash.

Enjoy tonight's game, and have a great Halloween weekend!

By KATIE MAXIMICK

(Jim Robson travelling by plane with the Vancouver Canucks. Photo courtesy of canucks.com.)

"I think of the terrible downer it was to hear on the plane flying back to Vancouver in the middle of the night after the Stanley Cup Final in New York that there was a riot on Robson Street. I couldn't believe it. And when we landed at the airport, there's a large number of armed soldiers around the plane... They thought there'd be some incident out there, and we couldn't believe it -- we didn't know what city we were in."

And that was how hockey legend and former play-by-play announcer for the Canucks, Jim Robson, remembers the 1994 Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver.

"[This year] I would hope that they celebrate responsibly," Robson says laughing when asked how fans would react if the Canucks win the Cup this year.

"If they did it that time they might try to do it again. I worried about the Olympics that way too, but the Olympics turned out to be great."

If there was a year for the Canucks to finally win the Stanley Cup, hockey experts are saying this would be it, although a rocky round-one series versus Vancouver's Achilles heel, the Chicago Blackhawks, has quite a few fans (and maybe the team), a bit nervous about these odds.

"This team is very good," says Robson. "Their record is probably the best ever for a Canucks team, but to say it's the best team ever  is a little early perhaps."

And he would know. Robson has been covering the Canucks since the NHL expansion in 1970 until his retirement in 1999. He is still active with the Canucks organization, and is often turned to for historical and present analysis of the team.

Robson didn't seem as convinced of this year's shot at the Cup as the rest of the hockey experts I talked to -- not because he doesn't believe in the team, but because he has learned to stay grounded.

After covering the disappointing loss to the Rangers in 1994, can you blame him?

"It was something to come that close to winning a Cup in a seventh game in a final, then losing by a goal," he says. "That's pretty hard to take."

"It's so difficult to get to that level even," he continues. "Quite often when a team does, it sags right after that if they don't win the Cup, especially nowadays because it's such a competitive league, so it's so difficult to repeat."

(90s nostalgia: Robson and current CBC play-by-play announcer Jim Hughson. Photo courtesy of canucks.com)

Robson has seen a lot of Canucks' playoffs in his day, and he has a unique take on the modern version of the post-season.

"Today you have 16 teams that go into the playoffs, and any one of those could win the Cup," he says. "Some of the fans here seem to lose sight of that. They think, 'Oh well automatically because they had the number one record during the season [they'll win].' Well, last year Washington was the top team in the NHL and got knocked off in the first round. That's how competitive it is."

And Robson has a good point. The pressure in Vancouver for the Canucks to take home the Cup this year is high; so high in fact that many fans are disregarding the team's regular season success, saying, "the playoffs are a different beast. There's only one prize that matters."

Ultimately that's true, but can we really disregard Daniel's Art Ross, the Presidents' Trophy, the goalies' Jennings trophy and the immaculate regular season simply because the Cup is what matters in the end? Robson doesn't think that's fair.

"There's so much hype about the sport through television and the media, and the way the team is sold, that there's such an emphasis on this Stanley Cup thing. And I think it's too bad in a way, because it's taking away from the enjoyment of the game, win or lose, whoever's playing," he says. 

"And the emphasis on the Stanley Cup takes away from a lot of accomplishments that might not be a Stanley Cup."

Regardless of whether or not the Vancouver Canucks win the Cup on their 40th birthday, this team has had a fantastic and record-setting season that both fans and the 2010/2011 team should be proud of.

If this really is their year, Robson knows there are many, many Canucks fans out there who have been waiting decades to witness it.

"It would be great for the long-time fans," he says. "There are some who go back to even prior to the Pacific Coliseum days who still go to games, or at least follow them. They would be extremely happy."

But he still hopes Canucks Nation refrains from rioting again.

"The majority would just be thrilled with it all," he says, then adds with a chuckle, "And they'd celebrate accordingly."

 

By KATIE MAXIMICK

(VancityBuzz's Karm Sumal poses with Amie Nguyen for a "Welcome to East Van" photoshoot. Photo by Bob Lai.)

Behind the black goatee and white smile of Karm Sumal is a brilliant entrepreneur with a heart of gold, and it was this heart of gold (and his longing for Canada to win it) that launched his blog, vancitybuzz.com, into local prominence.

“At first, Vancity Buzz was started for pure fun,” Karm said. “Then the momentum built and we continued to get inspired.”

“The negativity that surrounded the Vancouver Olympics fueled our fire, so we began highlighting the positives, as we felt they far outweighed the negatives. And here we are today.”

When Karm began to write positively on the Olympics, traffic to his website doubled and ultimately established Vancity Buzz as a go-to site for Vancouver events. Unlike some businesses around Vancouver and Whistler, Vancity Buzz’s success continued to grow once the Olympics were over, and a lot of that has to do with the man behind the website.

Karm uses his site and social media accounts to connect to his audience, rather than post strictly self-promotional content as some prominent bloggers tend to do. This means Karm’s audience is as unique and as personable as the man behind the website, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Karm (perhaps at a Canucks Tweetup) you know he’s pretty charming, not to mention humble.

“In terms of popularity, that’s subjective,” he said about his rising fame. “The blog and Twitter are pretty much an extension of my personality, and I think it shows in my reach and demographics.”

And I’m sure a lot of Karm’s demographics must be male after the popularity of his weekly (and sexy) Humpday Hotties posts.

By the way, Karm’s Twitter account now boasts close to 12,000 followers, and has 2,400 connections on his Facebook page.

 

Vancity Buzz and charitable promotions

Rising popularity has its price. Because Vancity Buzz is so successful in terms of garnering attention for local events, Karm has to filter through a lot of emails on a daily basis.

“We get pitched, a lot,” he said. “Honestly if I said yes to everyone I’d have six postings a day on events alone. However, one thing we don't say not to are charity events."

And there are many small charitable organizations that get lost in the blinding limelight of big fundraisers and well-funded galas. Karm believes that it’s those little events that deserve the promotion on his website.

“It’s our way of giving back to the community. We can’t always donate financially or donate our time, but spreading the word is our way of giving a little back.”

"That’s what we provide – free exposure for charity-related events.”

(The quarterly Buzz Entrepreneur Event, March 24, 2011 at the Joseph Richard Lounge.)

On social media's ability to raise awareness

To gain exposure for deserving events, Vancity Buzz takes to Twitter, Facebook and their website to Tweet, link-out and profile them.

“I think social media has expanded the reach of [charitable] events,” Karm said. “Tweetups for charity are an amazing tool to raise funds or awareness for causes. I think the most recent example of that is the sled dog tragedy.”

Vancity Buzz uses all aspects of social media to promote its own quarterly charity event called The Buzz Entrepreneur Event where partial proceeds go to a chosen organization. The last event raised donations for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.

The next Buzz Event is on March 24^th at the Joseph Richard Lounge on Granville, hosted by VanCity Buzz and Reach Magazine. Partial proceeds will go to the Sunset Community Centre Daycamp for Kids.

So aside from a great smile, a humble personality and a big heart, what else makes Karm Sumal stand out above the Vancouver crowd?

How about drive?

“Our success is quite amazing thus far,” he said.

“However we aren’t satisfied yet, and don’t think we’ll ever be.”

By KATIE MAXIMICK

(Harrison Mooney - the Canucks Scrabble master. Mooney holds his trophy next to a defeated Tanner Glass at Canuck Place Children's Hospice, Feb. 23, 2011. Photo credit: Jeff Vinnick/Vancouver Canucks.)

The seed that sprung a Scrabble match

“Fantastic. Absolutely surreal. Unlike anything else I’ve been a part of.”

That's how blogger Harrison Mooney sums up his Scrabble battle with Vancouver Canucks forward Tanner Glass that took place on Feb. 23.

The always-grinning writer for the popular blog site called Pass It To Bulis never thought the match would happen, let alone that he would help raise $9,000 for charity.

“I decided to challenge Tanner Glass to a game of Scrabble," Mooney said. "I figured he’d say no, or just never respond because who reads our blog? [ he laughs]. But a week later a reader named Annie made some shirts. The shirts were cool and we put them up on the blog."

Despite the courtship, Glass wasn't swooning from Mooney's advances right away.

"I guess he told us, ‘No, I won't do it,’ then [his sister] convinced him that we could sell the shirts for charity and it could be a really good event, so he said yes.”

The epic Scrabble Battle took place at Canuck Place Children's Hospice, a fitting location since all proceeds from the charity match went to the Canucks for Kids Fund.

Many kids surrounded the Scrabble table, pitching in to help Glass with possible solutions whenever the big fourth liner struggled with his letters.

"Initially I just thought it would be kind of a fun thing. We’re always looking for different and original things we can do involving the Canucks on Pass It to Bulis," Mooney said. "That was the plan originally, then once the charity angle came into it, it was just a way better idea."

"It wasn’t even so much that I started it as I felt privileged to be involved.”

(Mooney gives Glass a cheeky smile from across the Scrabble board as they wait to make their first plays. Photo credit: Jeff Vinnick/Vancouver Canucks.)

The role of social media in the Scrabble Battle's success

Like Richard Loat's Five Hole for Food inception, Mooney's charity event would not have been possible without social media. Mooney originally heard Glass gloating about his Scrabble skills on Team 1040 radio when the blogger decided to take it to his website to challenge Glass to a match on Nov. 22, 2010.

Canucks fans on Twitter went wild with the idea, calling out the official Vancouver Canucks account to pass the message to Glass and get him to accept the challenge.

For weeks a popular Canucks hashtag was #ScrabbleMeTanner.

"It played a huge part," Mooney said about social media. "It’s hard to get in to talk to any of the players, so for us all we did was put it out there on the internet and somebody else jumps on, then more people jump on. Before we know it we’re Tweeting with Tanner Glass’ sister. From there it just sort of took off."

It was through social media that the Canucks caught wind of Mooney's challenge and from it raised significant donations for the Canucks for Kids Fund.

Bloggers are often snubbed in the world of media, but Mooney's use of social media (as well as some of his delightful cockiness) got the right kind of attention and has ultimately given some credibility to his kind.

Who else can say they played Scrabble against a Vancouver Canuck, all in the name of charity?

No local sports reporters are coming to mind.

"I think personally this is one of those things where [the Canucks] were able to actually see how much power social media can have,” said Mooney. "We’re looking forward to doing the same thing again next year with the same means – Twitter, the blog, emailing back and forth. I think there’s a lot of power to generate things that way.”

(Mooney secures his victory with a handshake. Photo credit: Jeff Vinnick/Vancouver Canucks)

The Canucks Scrabble Battle: an annual event?

Predictions for next year are bright as Mooney looks forward to defending his title as Scrabble master.

He even has his sights set on other players.

“There were a lot of Canucks who were chirping Tanner and saying that they were better than him at Scrabble. I heard Jannik Hansen say that Tanner Glass was third or fourth best, and Daniel Sedin said that he was the best," Mooney said.

"If that's the case then there are a lot of Canucks who are gonna need to step up and show the cojones that Tanner showed.”

If it's all for charity, let's hope the rest of the Canucks read Mooney's last sentence and say, "Scrabble challenge accepted."