Canucks Twirl – WCC, Hockey Canada Rules, Tributes to Teens

Not much to report on the Vancouver Canucks front at the moment. Again, it’s nearing the end of NHL executive golf season. As we mentioned in our follow-up with agent Pat Brisson yesterday about contracts for Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, we’re waiting on pressure points on the calendar. Coming soon. In the meantime …

Let’s Skate! …

The photo accompanying this roundup is obviously not of this year’s Team Canada, but actually of a team in Red Deer, Alberta back in the 1930’s. Girls and women have been playing organized hockey a lot longer than many of us realize. I also find the old photos fascinating because other than the gear and maybe some of the hairstyles, the gals look like they could be in a photo today. The more things change the more they stay the same with us humans.

No surprises at the Womens World Championship yet as it relates to the two favourites. Canada and the USA are both undefeated through their first three games. In fact, the Americans haven’t given up a goal yet. They’ve defeated Switzerland 3-0, Finland 3-0, and the Russian athletes 6-0.

The two North American rivals square off to wrap up the preliminary round tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 pm mountain time. Meanwhile, probably Switzerland’s best player, and one of the more talented in the tournament, Alina Muller, who we mentioned in our preview last week, is out for the rest of the championship chase. Read that brief and get the other IIHF tournament links right here.

Hockey Canada has announced a new set of rules as it relates to on and off-ice behaviour and “maltreatment”. They’re taking a no-nonsense approach to racism, bullying, etc. The link to the rulebook comes at the bottom of this portion of yesterday’s press release, the basics of which are included here:

CALGARY, Alta. – In furthering its commitment to being leaders in safety and inclusivity, Hockey Canada has introduced an update to its rulebook to focus on recognizing and reporting incidents of maltreatment.

In a special meeting of the Members held on June 22, 2021, Hockey Canada and its 13 Members unanimously approved the adoption of Section 11 – Maltreatment in the Hockey Canada Rulebook starting this season, which includes bringing all forms of maltreatment under one section of the rulebook and providing guidelines for escalating penalties based on the severity of the inappropriate behaviour from players and team officials.

“Hockey Canada has made a firm commitment to making the game safe and inclusive for all who wish to participate, and the introduction of Section 11 provides our 13 Members, local hockey associations and officials across the country with clearly-defined criteria for enforcing rules related to many different forms of inappropriate conduct,” said Tom Renney, chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “We believe this is a great step towards ensuring we limit the number of incidents that occur on and off the ice, and will allow players of all ages to enjoy our game free from abuse, discrimination, racism and all forms of maltreatment.”

As part of the new rules, certain infractions will include an indefinite suspension pending a hearing, as well mandatory hearings for repeat offenders. To read Section 11 of the Hockey Canada Rulebook in its entirety, please click here.

And as we unfortunately catch up on a horrible weekend in hockey, that included the passing of Rod Gilbert and Jimmy Hayes, here’s some of the emotional responses and tributes following the death of three local hockey players in a car accident on Saturday morning …

Enough said. More on the Vancouver Canucks very shortly.